Don't override local ABC systems
Tony Rand's bill allowing ABC stores to open on Sundays (the text isn't available yet on the state legislative Web site) understandably will draw a lot of attention.
There's no logical reason anymore to prohibit liquor sales for off-premises consumption on Sunday. You already can buy beer and wine at the grocery store and order mixed drinks (or straight-up, if you like) at bars and restaurants.
Still, it's not a given that the Greensboro and High Point ABC systems would decide to open their stores on Sunday, the general managers of both told me today. They'd have to weigh the operating costs against the potential revenue. Obviously, the equation only works if they end up selling more booze. Community sentiment also would be a key factor.
Nevertheless, the choice would be theirs and theirs alone.
Not necessarily so under the provisions of much more sweeping ABC legislation filed yesterday. It's titled "An act to modernize the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control System as Recommended by the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee."
Senate version here.
In general it empowers the state ABC Commission with much greater authority over local systems -- even the power to "seize their assets" if they fail to meet performance standards.
As you can see here, some local systems make a lot of money and some actually lose money.
Under this legislation, the state would demand results. It even stipulates that no local board members could receive compensation for their service if their system doesn't make a profit of at least 5 percent.
But that's not the objectionable part of the bill. It's this:
No more than one ABC system per county.
Guilford has three: Greensboro, High Point and Gibsonville.
Summerfield voluntarily merged with Greensboro, and Oak Ridge with Forsyth County. Key word: voluntarily.
The one system per county mandate was NOT recommended by the study commission. It said the state should have the authority to force mergers "as needed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the ABC system."
Meaning, if Greensboro, High Point and Gibsonville fail to meet required performance standards, then move in.
But don't make an arbitrary judgment that Guilford County should have just one local ABC system.
Just consider the question of Sunday operation for your ABC stores. What if Greensboro and High Point agree, but Gibsonville would rather not? It ought to be Gibsonville's choice.
There's much more to say about this legislation ...
Comments (5)
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There's no logical reason anymore to prohibit liquor sales for off-premises consumption on Sunday. You already can buy beer and wine at the grocery store and order mixed drinks (or straight-up, if you like) at bars and restaurants.
Still, it's not a given that the Greensboro and High Point ABC systems would decide to open their stores on Sunday, the general managers of both told me today. They'd have to weigh the operating costs against the potential revenue. Obviously, the equation only works if they end up selling more booze. Community sentiment also would be a key factor.
Nevertheless, the choice would be theirs and theirs alone* Doug
Naw! Sell the ABC [ American Boys Club] as it is a state monoply like the lottary and open it up to the real free private market instead of some Corporation fascist agreedment between the State....I wager that this sale would raise a billion or so toward the budget debt.......Community sentiment is nothing more than a religious state enforcement excuse that defeats real liberty in the name of anti-individualism from the Dark Ages of Religion. The founders of this country and the revolution were meeting in Ale's travens over a good John Adams beer.....or buying Rum from John Handcock on Sunday......
Posted on March 25, 2009 8:54 PM
Here's a better idea - scrap the whole state monopoly system and allow private businesses to sell liquor. Why on earth should the state be in the alcohol retail business anyway?
Posted on March 26, 2009 8:54 AM
That's a good subject for a serious debate, js.
Assuming we're going to maintain a state control system, however, I couldn't support the one-per-county mandate in this bill. Local systems can merge if they choose, and they ought to be able to maintain their independence if they choose, too -- barring total mismanagement. It looks to me like the state is just ramping up pressure to sell more booze to produce more tax revenue.
Posted on March 26, 2009 11:46 AM
Good Grief. Give the ABC enhanced spirit sales-people the day off at least one day a week without the reek of drunks needing more booze due to poor planning.
Posted on March 26, 2009 6:03 PM
The Clodfelter legislation would increase the amount of liquor you're allowed to buy at one time from eight liters to 40. If you buy 40 liters on Saturday night, you probably should be sufficiently tanked up until Monday morning.
Posted on March 26, 2009 8:06 PM