We're getting even closer to passing legislation that will allow bars within certain areas of St. Paul to stay open until 4 am only in the few days before, during and after the convention.

A proposal for bars to remain open until 4 a.m. around the time of the convention passed unanimously through the House Commerce and Labor Committee today. [snip]

In contrast, the new bill allows bars within the seven-county Metro area — including the border cities of Northfield and New Prague — to stay open later from the evening of Sunday, Aug. 31 through the early morning of Friday, Sept. 5. Five nights, rather than eleven — meaning no Friday or Saturday nights.

Cities would be able to decide whether to allow it, but would now also be able to decide what geographic areas or license and zoning classifications would be affected.

And they'd be able to charge bars a fee of up to $2,500

Like I've said before, profit, is profit, no matter who's incurring the cost. Republican lobbyists and staffers, or Average Joe citizen. I'm not saying I'd enjoy it if I lived near some of those bars that might be open until 4 am, but I'm inclined to be in favor of the bill (though I don't care for legislators telling any business what to do and what not to do.) In some ways, it's capitolism, my friends! And it's only temporary, at that.