The Legislature passed a long-overdue budget late Tuesday, even as lawmakers discovered new provisions – including one allowing grocery stores to serve customers free samples of hard liquor.
The little-noticed tidbit in the budget would allow grocers and liquor stores to serve up to 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey, gin and other liquors to customers each visit. The budget, 115 days overdue, was the second-latest spending plan the Legislature ever adopted.