However, local government still has the option to outlaw Sunday morning sales in their area.

The bill was passed by the state House of Representatives in September and originally was a bill designed to create “territorial integrity,” or specific geographic sale areas, for wine mirroring those of beer.The legislation was waiting for attention in the Senate when Granholm vetoed another bill attempting to allow Sunday morning liquor sales.

Wednesday, the Senate added to the House’s bill a section allowing Sunday morning sales. The new bill passed the Senate 25-13, and later in the afternoon passed in the House 81-21.

The legislation now goes to Granholm for approval. Granholm plans to sign the legislation into law,
spokeswoman Katie Carey said.

“The governor is supportive of this (bill),” Carey said. “She’s been working on it with (legislators) to fix some of the objections she had previously (and) they addressed all of them.”

Although it was not his original intent, state Rep. Andrew Kandrevas, D-Southgate, who introduced the bill, said he did not take issue with the Sunday morning sales addition.

“I’m sure most people weren’t affected by the lack of Sunday sales, but it should be an option available to consumers and businesses,” Kandrevas said. “Obviously I was more interested in the original intent of my bill, but I have no problem (with the amendment).”

This bill corrected many of the problems with the rejected legislation, and left the important Sunday sales intact, co-sponsor state Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Twp., said.

“It opens up better opportunities for economic development literally statewide,” Gonzales said. “They took out the weak points from before, so I think they ended up with a win-win solution, and I’ll drink to that.”

But many citizens are opposed to the sales and their wishes should be heeded, said state Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, who voted against the bill.

“Many of my constituents have contacted me and said, ‘We don’t agree with alcohol sales on Sunday morning
and Christmas Day,’” Jones said.

“My opinion as a former police officer is that we don’t need additional hours of alcohol sales.”

Regardless of what the law states, mornings are not a popular time for liquor sales, said Crispin Merkeo, the manager of Spartan Spirits, 221 Ann St. Spartan Spirits does not open until 1 p.m. on Sundays, he said.

“Being able to sell any earlier than the noon law that’s enforced right now would do almost nothing for sales,” Merkeo said. “Any day of the week that early is completely dead.”

In addition to being unpopular, Sunday morning sales are unneeded, prenursing freshman Libbi Dust said.

“I feel like it isn’t really necessary,” Dust said. “You have six and a half other days of the week to go buy it.”

Staff writer Emily Wilkins contributed to this report.