Liquor panel to hear from state officials

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A task force created by the General Assembly to come up with possible ways to change Connecticut's liquor laws will be briefed by state officials on where the laws currently stand.

The 15-member Competitive Alcohol Liquor Pricing Task Force is scheduled to hear Wednesday from the Department of Revenue Services on existing state liquor and alcohol taxes, as well as the Department of Consumer Protection on the current regulatory scheme.

The group has until Jan. 1 to come up with recommendations for the legislature to consider in the new session, which begins in January.

The task force was created earlier this year when state lawmakers passed compromise legislation allowing Sunday retail liquor sales in Connecticut from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at package stores and supermarkets.