Former Gov. George Allen weighed in on Gov, Bob McDonnell's effort to privatize liquor stores Thursday with a statement emailed out from the governor's office.
(I'm not sure I understand what the last sentence means - because if you lose money it's hard to have a cost savings.)
“Most people realize that government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
The principle of privatizing the warehousing, distribution and sale of distilled spirits is common sense. It is simply not the function of government to sell beer, wine, bourbon or vodka. If we are to ever to have a chance to limit the size and scope of government, we must take bold steps that the Governor is advancing, consistent with his campaign promise. I support privatization, allowing all businesses that qualify to obtain distilled spirits licenses.
The Governor’s approach of putting cash into transportation projects is innovative and beneficial. This funding of transportation can be accomplished while meeting priority responsibilities in education and law enforcement. As our elected legislators work through the ABC privatization initiative, there is no good reason or need to insert a tax hike in this plan. The taxpayers of the Commonwealth know that the state budget is sufficiently big. Worrying about how much revenue the government can keep from liquor sales is a distraction from the larger cost savings of privatization.”
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