Murray Sued Over Alcohol Sales Tax

 
Murray, Ky.—A local company has filed suit against the city of Murray, claiming the alcohol sales tax is excessive.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky by BFC Enterprises, which does business as Cellar Door Wine and Spirits Package Store and Thoroughbred Spirits Package Store.
The lawsuit claims that the 8 percent alcohol sales tax is unreasonably high and that the city of Murray is imposing an alcohol sales tax that exceeds the purpose of reimbursing the city for any additional estimated costs that are related to the sale of alcohol.
The lawsuit also claims that the tax unfairly targets businesses that sell alcohol. The suit seeks unspecified reimbursement and asks that the ordinance setting the tax be abolished. The ordinance was set in 2001 after Murray citizens voted in favor of allowing liquor by the drink at specific restaurants. The city expanded that to include liquor at package stores in 2012.