PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The owners of one Portland bar are fighting mad that the bill to allow early liquor sales when St. Patrick's Day is a Sunday has been caught up in this hospital fight.
Dan Steele of Brian Boru says his business and employees will lose all kinds of money if the bar is not allowed to open before 9. A bill that has received initial approval in both the House and Senate would allow bars to serve alcohol at 6 am on Sunday when that Sunday is St. Patrick's Day.
The governor pointed to the emergency legislation as an example of Democrats' misplaced priorities. He has promised to veto all bills that cross his desk until the state pays the $484 million dollars it owes to Maine hospitals.
Steele says this bill is about supporting small business, and that's something the governor should favor.
"It's the state not being nimble on its feet economically in areas in which it touts its trying to be, which is small business, additional revenue and jobs. It's missing an opportunity," Steele said.
Steele says he plans to have a full staff of 30 employees on Sunday. But if the bill fails, he likely will have 5 or 6 of them stay home.
NEWS CENTER