UMD News Releases

DULUTH, MN — On Thursday, November 13 from 5–7 pm, the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Center for Ethics and Public Policy is sponsoring a panel discussion regarding the possible removal of Sunday sales restrictions on alcohol in Minnesota. The event will take place at UMD’s Weber Music Hall.

This event is free and open to the public

The panel discussion will focus on Minnesota’s alcohol-related blue laws. A blue law is a category of law that regulates shopping on Sunday. These laws, initially, were designed to restrict or ban shopping for religious standards — such as the observance of a day of worship or rest. Minnesota, currently, is one of twelve states that do not permit liquor stores from selling alcohol on Sunday. The CEPP will host a panel discussion representing both sides of this important and contentious issue. The goal is to create an open discussion in which many sides can exchange ideas/concerns in a respectful atmosphere.

The panel includes:

1. Representative Joe Atkins: (DFL) District 52B — He previously served as the mayor of Inver Grove Heights from 1992–2002. In his first term in the House, Atkins was selected by the bipartisan editors of Politics in Minnesota magazine as their First-Term Legislator of the Year. Since that time, Atkins has garnered a dozen similar honors from a wide variety of professional, business and labor organizations. .

2. Andrew Schmitt: executive director, Minnesota Beer Activists (MBA) — MBA’s mission is to represent consumer interests through active engagement in education, legislation, and community participation regarding beer, wine, and spirits in Minnesota. MBA supports any alcohol related issue deemed beneficial to consumers. This may include issues related to: home brewing, on-sale and off-sale, distilling, and wine.

3. Senator Roger J. Reinert: (DFL) District 07 — He began his political career when he was appointed to the Duluth City Council on January 12, 2004, filling the seat vacated by Herb Bergson, who had been elected mayor. He served as council president in 2006 and 2008. Reinert previously served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 7B. He was a member of the House Taxes Committee, and also served on the Finance subcommittees for the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, the Public Safety Finance Division, and the Transportation Finance and Policy Division.

4. Scott Neal: Edina City Manager — He began work as Edina City manager in 2010. Prior to joining the City staff, he served as City manager of Eden Prairie since 2002. He has also held the positions of City Administrator for the communities of Northfield, Minn.; Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; and Norris, Tenn.

For more information about this event and The Center for Ethics and Public Policy, see https://sites.google.com/a/d.umn.edu/cepp/