More Liquor Liberalization

Last Tuesday, the same day Washington voters approved private distribution of distilled spirits in that state, voters in 105 Georgia cities and counties legalized Sunday sales of packaged alcoholic beverages. The issue was on the ballot in 127 jurisdictions. The upshot:

Georgia will be a patchwork of alcohol laws. In Atlanta, Savannah and most other urban areas, alcohol will be sold on Sundays, beginning as soon as Nov. 20. But in at least 21 other, mostly rural, towns and counties, the law will stay as it has since the late 19th century.

Most of Georgia will now have rules less strict than my state, Texas, which still keeps liquor stores closed on Sundays (although other retailers are allowed to sell beer and wine). At least we got rid of Dallas' dry districts last year.

Massachusetts, meanwhile, may legalize happy hours, which were banned 27 years ago under a law signed by then-Gov. Michael Dukakais, who calls the proposal "outrageous" and warns that "people will lose their lives if this happens."