Ben Marchi, Virginia State Director of Americans for Prosperity, today released the following statement regarding Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s proposal to privatize Virginia’s ABC retail operations:

"Americans for Prosperity applauds Governor McDonnell’s proposal to finally privatize liquor sales in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The proposal represents a solid first step towards removing government control of something that should be done by the private sector. State-controlled liquor sales are an anachronism of the prohibition era, a fact that 32 other states have recognized by trusting responsible adults with the sale and purchase of liquor. This proposal represents a positive effort to fundamentally reform the role of government in Virginia and Americans for Prosperity is encouraged by Governor McDonnell’s commitment to protecting the interests of taxpayers in this effort.

While the Governor’s proposal is a solid step in the right direction, legislators should not consider replacing lost revenue from something that never should have been a government service in the first place. We believe that any lost revenues should be paid for by further cuts to what still remains a bloated state budget. Americans for Prosperity will be vigilant in ensuring that the interests of Virginia’s taxpayers are well-represented during the consideration of the Governor’s proposal."