Let’s talk liquor
Gov. Bob McDonnell is out today with his proposal to privatize liquor sales in the state and use the money to fund transportation.
State capital reporter Michael Sluss has the first wave of reporting.
You can also read the full text of the governor’s release on The Blue Ridge Business Journal.
So, whaddya think?
Some things to consider:
* Should the state privatize liquor sales on general principle, no matter what the financial projections are — or should it be done only if the money is right? Or not at all?
* Considering that previous liquor questions in Virginia have been decided by referendum, should this also be put to a statewide vote?
* If this isn’t a good idea, what’s a better way to fund transportation?
MORE ON PRIVATIZING LIQUOR SALES:
* Southwest Virginia pol pushed the state’s first referendum on liquor
* Should Virginia hold a referendum on whether to privatize liquor sales?
September 8, 2010 - 2:30 PM
Liquor stores should be in private hands.Hopefully the folks staffing the ABC stores will be offered positions within the State government.
The old ABC store approach is passe…
I do not see how this benefits Virginia coffers and that is the only reason to make a change IMO.
For-profit events should also be able to sell alcohol. As it stands only non-profits can sell to the general public at events.
This is in the same vein as the steps that several other bodies have taken to bring long term cash flow forward to a single year:
-Chicago has sold the Chicago Skyway toll road and its parking enforcement to private firms in exchange for a single up front payment.
-Other states are also investigating selling their toll roads.
-Several states have sold the string of tobacco company payments they will be receiving for an upfront sum.
The difference here may be that VA is planning to spend the money on capital improvements rather than on operating expenses. As the article notes, selling the liquor stores is a one-time event, and I believe it is better that any monies derived from it should fund a long-term asset rather than a short-term deficit.
Yes Jack. It is much more difficult to buy liquor in va abc stores, especially if you’ve been drinking.
Booze for Bridges.
Once again a short sighted solution to a long term problem by republicans.
If you want to fix roads in Virginia then the ones using the roads should pay via an increase in the gas tax.
1/3 of those taxes would be paid by out of state users of our roads.
Selling off the sate monopoly of liquor sales is simply making good on a campaign promise McD made to big liquor business.
Coming soon to your neighborhood, increased crime and substance abuse. Thanks McD.
Do not sell the Virginia owned, Virginia run liquor stores to the private people.
1. The Virginia staff that now run the liquor knows how to run the stores and talk to the higher up in Richmond. The people that control the stores. All the paper work that is needed. to count every bottle.
2. All most every penny brought in by the Va. owned liquor stores is a profit for the state, there is very little the stores need in operation expenses. The liquor stores now are putting moneys in the VA POTS for School, Highways and other state POTS. What will happen to these if the private owners get the stores? Who will get the HUGH profits form the sells of the private liquor?
3. Now the Bars and Restaurants have to Call in to one main liquor store and place an order and then go by there and pick it up. ALL CONTROLED BY THE STATE. Who will control this after the state sell all the stores?
4. How are you going to keep a bottle of Jack Daniel (Jack Black, Jim Beam or Johnny Walker out of the hands of children under 21?
Taxes collected on liquor sold at state run stores goes directly to the state, there is no middle man. It will be incumbent on private run liquor stores to collect the sales tax and then remit it to the state, generally on a quarterly basis. This will result in a lower level of collections regardless as not every business owner will remit in a timely fashion.