A battle is brewing at the state capitol over how much is paid for alcohol.

Hundreds of liquor store owners are fighting a plan proposed by Gov. Dannel Malloy that could make alcohol cheaper by removing minimum prices mandated by the state.

Package stores get a discount if they buy liquor in bulk, but state law says the stores cannot pass those savings onto the customer. The proposed law could stop big-box stores like Total Wine from drastically undercutting the smaller shops, but Jonathan Harris, the governor's consumer protection chief, says store owners' fears are exaggerated.

Larger stores would still be banned from selling liquor at a loss, Harris says.

Lawmakers did not take a vote on Tuesday. Many of them say they are worried about losing neighborhood liquor stores, along with the taxes they pay and the jobs they create.