Hartford -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will propose legislation for next month's legislative session to allow package stores to sell alcohol on Sundays, his spokesman said today.

The legislation also would permit restaurants and bars to stay open and serve alcohol until 2 a.m. every day of the week. Restaurants and bars currently must close by 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The governor last year was willing to sign a bill that would have authorized Sunday sales, but the measure never came to a vote in the General Assembly. Malloy is hoping for a different outcome this year by coming forward with the legislation himself, his spokesman, Andrew Doba, said this afternoon.

"This is a different way to the same end," he said.

The governor believes that giving Connecticut stores the option of selling liquor on Sundays will help them be competitive with businesses in neighboring states. Connecticut is the only state in the Northeast with a law prohibiting Sunday alcohol sales.

"We are just trying to make sure that mom and pop businesses and package stores can be competitive with what are currently the laws in place right next door," Doba said. "This is about reforming an antiquated system."

The governor is also proposing to extend the deadline for alcohol sales Monday through Saturday to 10 p.m. from 9 p.m.