Today is the deadline for Takoma Park to submit its request to the state of Maryland, asking for a change in its liquor laws. And not only did the city submit its request, but Mayor Bruce Williams already has penciled into his calendar the day he will testify on the state bill: Dec. 6.

Carry-out alcohol sales are banned in Takoma Park, and now the city wants to lift that restriction. Well, somewhat. Alcohol laws are codified in state law, and Takoma Park wants restaurants, but not stores, to be allowed to sell carry-out beer and wine.

Now, the Department of Legislative Services will draft the bill and send it back to Takoma Park for review before it goes to the General Assembly.

"And if we’re happy with it, then we’ll just say fine, and if not then we’ll discuss it" in a council meeting, Williams says.

It will be interesting to see whether Takoma Park's request to have some kind of input over which businesses actually get the licenses will be heeded or not. It could be a sticking-point for some state lawmakers, too, since the Montgomery County Board of License Commissioners is the body who grants licenses.