Comptroller’s Message for MoCo: “Get Out of the Liquor Business”
In this MyMCMedia Extra, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has a message for Montgomery County. “Get out of the liquor business,” he said, adding, “the sooner the better.” Take a look:
Very good Peter! As you are aware, I am appalled that ANY local or state government entity is involved in dispensing liquor, which is highly toxic, intoxicating and contributory to most vehicular deaths in America!
Let me know how I can lend my support of all local government divestment from alcohol dispensing. Besides, we know there’s an alternative revenue source in dispensing legalized cannabis soon!
Great Peter ! You are 100% correct.
Mr. Franchot, really? Have you ever actually been to VA to one of their ABC stores (oh, wait, that’s Government retail) and seen how much MORE expensive alcohol is there? Have you ever been to a liquor store in Prince Georges County and seen how small most are, with limited supply, and are usually packed full of cases of beer and filthy? I do agree the County should get out of the business of wholesale to bars/restaurants because they will source out what they need. But the retail side, I find my experiences with the County stores better than any experience I had living in VA, Southern MD or in Baltimore with regards to lower price and a better selection (my experience is with hard liquor, not so much beer/wine). Also, I don’t find the employees any more off-putting than I’ve seen anywhere else, and many have actually been quite helpful. I’d actually be sad to see the retail operation privatized because the County would gain 1 or 2 total wines and a lot of crappy corner dives, and i’d lose the ability to walk 10 minutes to a large, cheap stocked store.
Very good Peter! Having Montgomery County decide which alcohol we can buy, and at what price, is an embarrassing, paternalistic anachronism. MoCo has lost a lot of potential alcohol sales to Virginia and the District, and it’s creepy to have our county government involved in selling booze to us. Please get the county OUT of alcohol sales and regulation! And I say this as a lifelong Democrat!
Oh I hope you didn’t go to VA to buy your liquor, because you likely overpaid by an arm and a leg. The VA ABC stores (Ironic, government controlled) have a much higher wholesale tax than MD and Montgomery County. My friends often come to MoCo liquor stores to do their shopping now that they’ve seen how much cheaper we offer stuff. Don’t just assume that because it’s in Virginia that its cheaper.
Moco, Get out of the business of controlling beer and wine! As others have stated the liquour control is sensible and is much cheaper than surrounding areas. The lack of wine and beer selection is insufferable and I refuse to buy wine in MD. I drive to total wine in mclean or stop in c-ville to stock up on wine every few months. Wine and beer is typically 30% cheaper in VA for the same exact thing.
I used to feel the same way but have you see how P.G. an D.C. stores look and the shady characters that be around them……V.A. I just aint driving that far to buy.