Could liquor sales at grocery stores fund schools fix?

Lawmakers could need to come up with $38 million to $50 million by June 30 to fix the school-funding problem to the satisfaction of the Kansas Supreme Court. One tempting option could involve the estimated $41 million to be generated by newly selling full liquor licenses to big-box stores and full-strength beer licenses to smaller retailers and convenience stores. In April, a lobbyist for the state’s liquor stores called the proposal a “blatant bribe.” But a spokeswoman for Uncork Kansas, the coalition that has fought annually to allow sales of liquor at large retailers and sales of full-strength beer at convenience stores, noted “it won’t raise taxes and it won’t cut services.” – Rhonda Holman