An effort to privatize Alabama’s retail liquor establishments met its demise Wednesday in the Alabama’s Senate’s General Fund Budget Committee. The bill, SB115, sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), lost on a recorded vote of 6-7.
There is no way to sugar coat this: The vote clearly established that certain members of the Alabama Senate have no intention of reducing the size of state government, because if there ever there was a “slam dunk” opportunity, this was it.
The six Republican senators who supported the bill (Holtzclaw, Melson, Orr, Pittman, Sanford and Stutts) should be commended for their courage to go against the frantic opposition of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board, the state employees’ union and, most surprisingly, ALCAP.
ALCAP?
According to their website, ALCAP is an interdenominational ministry that claims to serve as “Alabama’s moral compass,” promoting an ethical, moral and responsible lifestyle based on biblical standards, for the benefit of the state. Their executive director testified at Wednesday’s hearing opposing the legislation, stating that the bill would increase the consumption of alcohol.
Huh?
Privatizing state-controlled retail liquor stores is going to increase alcohol consumption? Is there anyone in the state that can’t get liquor now? This is an extremely naïve position.
In reality, the funding challenge for General Fund agencies is going to continue to fester to the point that the Legislature will be left with three choices.
1. Increase taxes. Good luck with that.
2. Fund the General Fund with existing available revenues, which will result in a 15 percent reduction from current year expenditures, at least.
3. Adopt “other” funding sources, which could include entering into a “compact” with the Poarch Creek Indians and legalizing gaming.
The irony here is that AlCap — a staunchly anti-gambling organization — is now allied with the state employees’ union, and its actions will make gambling a more likely prospect.
None of this is good news for Alabamians who support limited, more efficient government.
Tom Saunders is General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for the Alabama Forestry Association
