The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
We urge Gov. Bob McDonnell to aggressively pursue one of his campaign promises -- privatizing liquor sales.
The move has been tried numerous times before but has met with opposition, mainly on the grounds that it would basically make purchasing booze easier, thereby increasing the consumption. Of course, the real reason the proposal has been fought has more to do with the hesitancy of politicians to downsize government and losing a certain amount of power and lobbying dollars in the process.
But the economic benefits of privatization are real -- the state would continue to collect the taxes but without the expense of overhead. That savings, McDonnell said, would be one be a way to help put more money into transportation.
Most states have already made the move, and all say it has meant extra money. Virginia now spends roughly $115 million a year operating ABC stores and the bureaucracy that comes with them. With privatization, the state could save that money, still collect the tax and also raise money by selling retail liquor licenses.
According to McDonnell, that would give the state a $500 million boost "in the near term." In these difficult times, that's a lot of money.
Not only would the state benefit financially, customers would as well. With more stores selling liquor at expanded hours, the convenience is undeniable. And competition is a good thing. Stores would offer a greater variety at less cost.
We're certainly not advocating an increased consumption of booze, or the consumption of alcohol at all for that matter. But people who choose to drink will do so, regardless of where and when liquor is sold. Besides, they can already purchase beer and wine at most retail grocery and convenience stores.
Other states that have privatized sales have seen no increase in problems routinely associated with alcohol abuse, from DUIs to teenage drinking. As we said, people who want to drink will do so.
Any governmental body should always be looking for savings -- eliminating or retooling programs that don't work, stopping wasteful spending or allowing the private sector to take over programs and services when possible and appropriate.
From a common sense stance, privatizing liquor sales is a no-brainer.
It's time to make that move.
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