Almost 30,000 virtual signatures have been collected, but it’s still not enough.

In an effort to get more people on board with a petition that would spur a bill to change Indiana’s liquor sale laws, Hoosiers for Beverage Choices is boosting its July membership drive."We think the time is long past due to change Indiana’s antiquated laws," said Grant Monahan, the group’s spokesman and president of the Indiana Retail Council.

Monahan and Matt Norris, Hoosiers for Beverage Choices director, spoke about the issue Tuesday in a news conference at Scott’s Food & Pharmacy on Clinton Street. Hoosiers for Beverage Choices, created last August, aims to make alcohol available in Indiana on Sundays and allow grocery and convenience stores to sell cold beer.

The issue is one of convenience and price competition, Monahan said. He estimated that the state loses $9 million each year in sales and excise tax revenue when consumers drive to other states to buy alcohol on Sundays.

"Sunday is the second-busiest shopping day of the week," Norris said. "(People) want to buy alcohol while doing their regular shopping."

Another issue Monahan and Norris tackled was the fact that only liquor stores can sell cold beer. Liquor stores add a $1.07 charge to the amount of each case of cold beer, Norris said. He added that nearly 300 communities in Indiana have liquor stores that are owned by a single company.

Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, was a member of the Interim Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverage issues last year. When reached by phone Tuesday, he said he hasn’t heard much from his constituents on the subject but is interested to see how the debate plays out in the next year.

GiaQuinta said a main topic for the committee last year was Sunday alcohol sales. One problem he has heard from liquor store representatives is that grocery, drug and convenience stores are already open on Sundays, while liquor stores might have to put more money into opening on that day.

"They would probably feel some economic impact," he said.

Members of other groups, including the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, which represents liquor stores, have argued that changes in alcohol sale laws would cut state tax revenue and increased access to alcohol would lower church attendance and aggravate problems like drunken driving. A representative of the retailers association could not be reached Tuesday.

Supporters will be able to sign the online petition until the group reaches its goal, Monahan said. Anyone who signs the petition, at www.beveragechoices.com, is considered a member of the organization. They will also be kept up to date on appropriate times to contact their local representatives about the issue.

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices was not able to introduce the changes in a bill for the 2009 legislative session, but Monahan said he likes to stay optimistic.

"We can’t predict how long the process may take," he said. "I’d like to get it done next session."

kshawgo@jg.net