TOPEKA, Kansas -- As debate brews in Topeka over whether full strength alcohol should be sold in grocery and convience stores, one legislator is brewing up a fight of his own."I oppose the idea of having hard liquor sold in our grocery stores and our convenience stores,” said Sen. Dick Kelsey, a Goddard Republican.
Sen. Kelsey agrees with many of the liquor stores opposed to the bill who believe it would create an uneven playing field..
Kelsey is even more concerned with how the bill might affect society.
“If we put it in 3,000 more outlets where they are letting 18-year-olds sell it and everything else, there's not going to be much control on the sale of this kind of product,” Kelsey said.
Kelsey has sent letters to nearly 3,500 churches across the state asking pastors and their congregations to join him in opposing the bill.
"I believe that churches should be the social conscious of our society that they ought to speak up on issues that have social impact,” said Kelsey.
Kelsey explains in his letter that liquor sales would change the culture of the state and that alcohol abuse will dramatically increase.
He also says there will be a spike in underage drinking.
Those who support the bill, like Dillons Stores, say arguments from the uneven playing field to alcohol abuse are not supported.
“I don't believe if we start they'll sell less or go out of business,” said Joe Grieshaber, President of Dillon’s. “We can expand the market. Companies will survive and prosper in the future.”
The bill is now with the House Commerce Committee. There have been hearings on the bill, but committee members have not worked the bill. If it becomes law it will create two new retail liquor licenses.
