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Gov. Bob McDonnell speaks about privatizing state alcohol sales during his 'Virginia Speaks: A Conversation About Jobs, Government Reform and Our Future' town hall meeting at the University of Mary Washington.
Dick Rothermel (left) of Berea in Stafford County asked about improved public services-- especially road maintenance--during Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's town meeting. |
Gov. Bob McDonnell brought his plans to reform government and get out of the liquor business to Fredericksburg last night.
McDonnell has been holding town hall meetings on the topic around the state. His stop at the University of Mary Washington was his fourth of eight meetings.
About 300 people came to Dodd Auditorium for the meeting, asking questions about energy policy, Sunday hunting bans, immigration enforcement and other issues.
But the top focus was government reform, specifically McDonnell's push to sell off the state-owned liquor stores, a move he says will generate "hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation" needs.
He showed slides indicating that other states have more liquor stores than Virginia does--3.2 per 10,000 people on average across the U.S., versus 0.6 per 10,000 in Virginia.
McDonnell estimates that Virginia would have about 1.4 stores selling liquor per 10,000 people if his proposal--which is not yet finalized--is approved, a figure he said should calm fears that Virginia would have gaudy liquor stores on every corner if the industry is privatized.
McDonnell envisions a privatization structure by which taxes and markup on liquor would remain about the same, and licenses would be sold to stores to sell liquor. He said grocery stores, which already sell wine and beer, would be prime candidates.
"The only difference between beer and wine, and distilled spirits, is the shape of the bottle and the percentage of the alcohol," McDonnell said.
Those who got up to ask McDonnell questions mostly seemed to support the idea of getting the state out of the liquor business.
A man who said he works for Giant said his stores would be glad to sell liquor, and that Virginia is losing sales every time a Virginian goes to D.C. or Maryland to buy liquor.
But not everyone agreed. Chuck Miller of Culpeper said he thinks an increase in the gas tax would be a better way of generating money for transportation.
"I know you want to get out of the liquor business, but it does make a lot of money," Miller said.
Some of the legislators in the audience also remain unconvinced.
"I grew up on a dairy farm," said Del. Bobby Orrock, R-Caroline, before the meeting began. "If you had a cow that was giving you good milk, you wouldn't sell her unless you could be sure" that it would be better financially in the long run.
Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania, said he hasn't taken a position, but that he'll base his vote on how McDonnell's plan affects the state's general fund.
"I can be persuaded, but I'm going to have to be persuaded," Houck said after the meeting. "The system we have now works We've got a whole list of needs to be met."
He said he hasn't heard much about the issue from constituents, but that members of his caucus don't seem inclined to support privatization.
McDonnell said he believes many of those naysayers will be convinced once he presents a concrete plan, which he expects to have by Sept. 8, when his government reform commission's subcommittee on ABC privatization meets.
After that--possibly October or November--McDonnell will call legislators to Richmond for a special session on government reform, including liquor privatization.
He told reporters that his plan should knock down most concerns, and that "the only question is how do you do it right.
"It's not rocket science and it's not exactly novel," McDonnell added, noting that several other states have moved from state control of liquor to a private market.
Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
