Chris Christie’s push to repeal Bergen County’s Blue Laws is meeting opposition from County Executive Dennis McNerney. Bergen County offers one of the densest shopping areas in the country in one of the wealthiest counties in the most over-taxed state. The debate on the Blue Laws has been going on for decades with numerous attempts to have them repealed.
Many argue that the Blue Laws in New Jersey, which prohibit the selling of electronics, clothing and furniture on Sunday, put retail shops at a disadvantage as consumers will travel to counties such as Passaic where the stores are open. Others argue that the arbitrary nature of choosing Sunday to enforce a Blue Law ignores the diversity of American culture where different religions celebrate their sabbath on different days.
Paramus, home to many malls and shopping corridors on Route 4 and Route 17, has insisted they will fight to maintain their local blue laws to provide residents at least one day where their neighborhoods are not congested with shoppers. Bergen County voters in 1993 voiced their approval of maintaining the present Blue Laws. NJ state statute provides for the Blue Laws, but allows counties to override it with a county referendum; all counties in New Jersey have repealed the Blue Laws except for Bergen County.
Many states have less restrictive laws that aim to maintain a certain quality of life, even NY, the city that never sleeps, you cannot get a drink in a bar between 4am and 8am. In Pennsylvania, which has a significant population of hunters, there is no hunting on Sunday. In Connecticut, they are presently debating whether to allow liquor stores to open up on Sundays.
Wikipedia provides an overview of the various Blue Laws implemented throughout America and the world. The Journal’s independent research failed to unearth one particular Blue Law that might be an option for Bergen County: limit the sale of goods only to products grown or made in the USA. It can be redefined as a Red, White and Blue Law.
Implementing a “Red, White and Blue Law” would effectively restrict all commerce. Items currently allowed under our Blue laws for Sunday sale, including many grocery items and produce are made or grown outside the U.S..