After controlling alcohol sales for 73 years, the state is considering dramatic reforms, one of which would take ownership of liquor stores out of state hands.
The discovery of controversial practices by several local Alcoholic Beverage Control boards around the state — branches of the state agency that controls all aspects of alcohol sales and production — has led Gov. Bev Perdue and other state officials to review the liquor retail system.
Members of the New Hanover County board resigned after receiving criticism for high salaries, and the Mecklenburg County board was accused of misusing state money in late 2009 when a liquor company paid for a private party.
The ABC commission passed an ethics policy Wednesday in response to those members’ actions. The policy puts tighter restrictions on board members’ expenses.
In addition to the ethics policy, the commission is also discussing several reform options.
These include more state and local regulation, as well as the privatization of sales. That could significantly change the operations, costs and sale of alcohol, if implemented.
A study released by the N.C. General Assembly in December 2008 suggested that the state’s ABC system wasn’t ready for the 21st century because it lacked a clear mission and oversight.
Dan Sykes, general manager of the Orange County ABC board, wrote in an e-mail that privatization would create the opportunity for a “liquor superstore” to open.
He also said it would increase the number of retail outlets selling alcohol because it would become easier to own a liquor store, putting the state under more pressure to deal with alcohol abuse and other negative consequences of higher alcohol consumption.
