By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-928823.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Governor Granholm has vetoed a bill that would have allowed alcohol sales on Sunday mornings and Christmas day. The governor says she'd be willing to revisit the issue.
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The bill was quickly patched together by lawmakers and lobbyists in one evening before the Legislature took a break until after the November elections.
In her veto letter, the governor uses neutral language, but hints that lawmakers rushed through the bill and did some sloppy work. She says that would have left the law vulnerable to challenges under the state and federal constitutions.
The governor also objected to allowing restaurants to sell alcohol at off-premises catered events. She says it would be too hard to make sure minors aren't served.
But the governor says she still thinks Michigan's rules for selling booze are outdated. Many of them go back to the days immediately following Prohibition. Granholm says she'd sign a more-narrowly crafted bill if the Legislature sends her one.