Legislation to privatize liquor sales will not be considered by the House committee that oversees ABC laws, its chairman confirmed Wednesday, effectively killing the measure without a hearing.
The decision is a blow to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has made ABC privatization a top priority. Senate Democrats already have said they will not consider the governor's proposal unless the House acts first.
"At the chairman's prerogative, the bill is not going to be heard," said Del. S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, chairman of the House General Laws Committee and a staunch supporter of the governor's other priorities in the General Assembly.
"There's just no way you can do it justice in a short session," explained Jones, who cited his support of the governor on transportation, pension reform, higher education, and economic development.
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said the privatization proposal should be given "a full and fair hearing."
"To refuse to consider this conservative proposal that has been thoroughly studied is beneath the good standards of the legislature," Martin said. "This is a highly disappointing development in the pursuit of limited government."
The House bill is sponsored by Del. Robert H. Brink, D-Arlington, who voted against the governor's first privatization proposal as a member of the commission on government reform in October.
Brink has been noncommittal on voting for his own bill, but he said on the House floor Wednesday, "I do think that it's a serious proposal that deserves careful consideration and analysis, a hearing and a vote."
mmartz@timesdispatch.com
(804) 649-6964
omeola@timesdispatch.com
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