STATE: Senator pushing to close state-run ABC alcohol stores

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This April 23, 2009 photo shows an ABC Beverages store in Chickasaw, Ala. Alabama's state-run liquor business will celebrate its 76th anniversary Feb. 2. If state Sen. Arthur Orr has his way, that business will be greatly curtailed by the 77th anniversary, with state-run liquor stores being replaced by private retailers. (AP Photo/ The Birmingham News, Bill Starling)

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January 21, 2013

STATE: Senator pushing to close state-run ABC alcohol stores

Associated Press Associated Press Mon Jan 21, 2013, 11:40 AM CST

One Alabama senator says it’s time for the state to get out of the retail liquor business.

State Senate budget committee Chairman Arthur Orr is working on a bill for the legislative session beginning Feb. 5 that would do just that.

Orr says closing state-run liquor stores and eliminating the 600 employees could save $46 million annually. He wants to use private liquor stores for all retail operations.

The administrator of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Mac Gipson, says the current system is efficient. He predicts that switching to only private retailers will lead to higher prices for consumers, which is what happened last year when Washington closed its state-run liquor stores.

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