Legal alcohol sales spread in Kentucky as attitudes change

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Counties and cities in Kentucky have been increasingly approving alcohol sale measures in the state in recent years.

Records from the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control show that since January 2014, voters have approved new or expanded alcohol sales in 23 cities or counties, and turned them down in only six cases.

Kentucky League on Alcohol & Gambling Problems President Don Cole tells the Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/29fDYYE) that the trend seems to be due to economic concerns, changes in state law, a greater acceptance of alcohol and residents’ hopes of keeping pace with nearby wet cities and counties.

Most recently, voters on June 28 approved legal alcohol sales in long-dry Cumberland and Metcalfe counties, while Williamsburg and Mayfield residents voted for expanded sales.

___

Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.