Liquor Distribution "Reform" in MoCo: More "Rail" Than Top-Shelf

Recently, MoCo Council Member Hans Riemer (Democrat - At Large) gave himself a rhetorical "pat on the back" for pushing through watered-down reforms to the way Montgomery County (with the blessing of state government next year) will distribute some craft beer and spirits to restaurants and bars. Using an Op-Ed in the Washington Post, Riemer declared "A craft beer with dinner in Montgomery?".

Council Member Riemer does deserve a thumbs-up for being one of the few on the Council to actually push for meaningful change to liquor laws on the books since Prohibition in the 1930s. He's at least acknowledging that the heavy hand of government in MoCo has had ramifications on the bar scene and craft brew culture here. Bethesda magazine noted in July that "Local Craft Breweries [are] Popping Up as Regulations Ease" - a headline that was probably tough to take for a County Council that loves to regulate whole industries out of existence.

The outdated, backwards policy over liquor and beer/wine control here has pushed many young professionals out of MoCo and into DC, Arlington, and Fairfax for fun. It has led many restauranteurs to explore store openings elsewhere because they do not want to deal with the MoCo Department of Liquor Control.

The hard truth is that these "reforms" to liquor distribution are a lot more "rail" than top-shelf. They do not address the fundamental problem of economic liberty, do-nothing regulation - and a REGRESSIVE social policy dating back many years. Instead of being a true voice of reason and economic liberty, Riemer is actually also saying that the Council should plan to "open more [MoCo DLC operated] stores... and... ...run their warehouse... more efficiently" to offset the expected revenue loss to County government due to these reforms. Mr. Riemer - why not also open a MoCo government operated car lot, grocery store or tobacco store? Why stop at just liquor? Could it be because you know, deep down, that county government is pretty terrible at retail businesses?

There is no economic or public health reason for Montgomery County, MD to be involved in selling liquor directly to its tax-paying, consenting, of-age citizens. None. We should listen to Council Member Riemer in November 2014 and return economic liberty and consumer choice to the adults of MoCo once again.

#money #mococouncil #montgomery