Keep Liquor Sales Local
North Carolina’s local control system for regulating liquor sales has a proven record of success. Some people now want to privatize liquor sales for private gain. Local control works better.
STOP HB 971 - Modern Licensure Model for Alcohol Control
HB 971 - was introduced on April 26, 2019 and has been referred to the House Committee on Alcoholic Beverage Control, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House. HB 971 privatizes both retail liquor sales and wholesale distributions, effective January 1, 2020, eliminating local ABC boards and stores and allowing 1500 “base” liquor permits/outlets and more permits based on population increases and also on local liquor store elections, to be issued to grocery stores, convenience stores, variety stores, drugstores and to any retail “business” for the retail sale of liquor between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.
The Bill Bill Summary Bill Sponsors House ABC Committee Contacts
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Privatization does not make fiscal sense, nor does it make public health sense. In the end, it comes down to a theosophical question: Should the government be in the business of selling liquor? There is no stauncher Republican than I am. There is no one more pro-business than myself. And there is no one more convinced than myself that continuing the Alcohol Beverage Control system in North Carolina is the right thing for this state and particularly for the children of this state.
-Jim Gardner, Former ABC Commission Chairman and Former NC Lt. Governor, in his July 7, 2015 letter to the Fayetteville Observer
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The System Works- Why Change It?
Learn more about why this issue is important, and join us in the fight to keep liquor sales local.
Why Keep it Local?
North Carolina has one of the best, most efficient liquor sales systems in the country. Local ABC Boards provide a sales environment that is safe and helps local cities and towns with revenues to invest back into local needs.
The Case
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North Carolina’s ABC system appropriately balances consumer access, control, and revenue. North Carolina has one of the lowest liquor consumption rates in the country. Privatizing liquor sales likely results in an excessive number of liquor outlets, making it more available for those who need it the least: minors and irresponsible drinkers. Our system works. Help us keep it local!
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All You Need to Know
North Carolina is one of 17 states that “control” the sale of liquor by directly engaging in the sale of liquor. All such states exercise control over wholesale distribution. Twelve of the control states also exercise control over retail sales for off-premises consumption, including North Carolina and Virginia.
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Survey Says: Keep it Local
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