Conn. panel to review liquor pricing issues

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A new task force is poised to begin looking at other possible changes to Connecticut's liquor laws now that the state allows retail liquor and alcohol sales on Sundays.

The Competitive Alcohol Liquor Pricing Task Force is scheduled to meet for the first time next week and begin the task of coming up with recommendations for the General Assembly to consider next year. The panel faces a Jan. 1, 2013 deadline.

The 15-member group was created earlier this year when state lawmakers passed compromise legislation allowing Sunday sales. The panel will review some politically contentious issues first pushed by Gov. Dannel Malloy but were not addressed in the bill, such as deregulation of prices, taxes and volume discounts.

Malloy's spokesman said the governor is seeking consumer-friendly proposals.