State senate approves Gadsden sunday sales bill

Sen. Phil WIlliams

The Alabama state senate Tuesday approved a bill that will call for A referendum on the issue of Sunday alcohol sales to be included on the city of Gadsden's Aug. 26 municipal election ballot.  The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, had passed the House. It passed the Senate on a 17-0 vote.  The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County and the Gadsden Commercial Development Authority pushed for a referendum, saying it is an issue of economic development.  The legislation calls for the Gadsden City Council to put the referendum on the city ballot.  Chamber officials say they are  looking for partners for holding public forums on the issue now that the bill has passed.