Steve Burns
WMAL.com
ROCKVILLE — (WMAL) The political back-and-forth continues between the Montgomery County Council and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot over the County’s liquor control policies. Franchot is set to hold a press conference Tuesday morning, unveiling an economic impact study done by his office extolling the virtues of the state getting out of the liquor business entirely. However, the County has not been willing to go that far.
“The County Council is proposing, and the County Executive supports, privatizing the sale of special order beer and wine, these beer and wines that are smaller labels, craft beers,” Councilmember George Leventhal said. The County would still stay in business with bigger, more ubiquitous brands. “We also have a responsibility to balance the budget, and we have a responsibility to secure the bonds that were issued on the promise of ongoing liquor revenues.”
Leventhal called Franchot “a very good friend,” but said he needs to understand the County’s commitments to its bonds and debt. “As Comptroller, he should take responsibility and take seriously the County’s obligation to fulfill its borrowing. We’ve got $105 million in outstanding capital debt, and I would hope the Comptroller would help us fund a way to address that.”
More common complaints come as the result of state alcohol laws, Leventhal said.
“The complaints that I hear most often from my constituents is that, in Maryland, you cannot buy beer and wine at the grocery store,” Leventhal said.
“I give the Comptroller credit for raising the issue. I think that’s helpful,” Councilmember Hans Reimer said. “At some point, this is our decision, and we’re going to make that decision.”
He, too, said he hears most about state laws, not the County’s liquor control.
“We need to change those rules that govern why you can’t buy beer and wine in grocery stores. And really, we need the Comptroller to put as much energy into changing those laws as (he puts in) to the Department of Liquor Control…it would be great if our state leaders could focus on state rules.”
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