VA ABC Privatization Efforts Thwarted Again

Virginia Governor McDonnell's efforts to get the State out of the liquor business have been thwarted again. This week bill was killed before even being discussed in committee. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports:

Legislation to privatize liquor sales will not be considered by the House committee that oversees ABC laws, its chairman confirmed Wednesday, effectively killing the measure without a hearing.

The decision is a blow to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has made ABC privatization a top priority. Senate Democrats already have said they will not consider the governor's proposal unless the House acts first.

"At the chairman's prerogative, the bill is not going to be heard," said Del. S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, chairman of the House General Laws Committee and a staunch supporter of the governor's other priorities in the General Assembly.

It should be emphasized that the bill was killed at the whim of chairman Jones. The proposal will not be discussed in the committee nor on the House floor. The government will stay in the retail and wholesale liquor business a while longer. Whether you agree with the idea of privatization or not, it's a shame that the legislative body is denied the chance to even discuss it.

See the entire article here: House panel won't consider ABC privatization bill