Privatization

The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ended Prohibition, gave states control over alcoholic beverages. The 21st Amendment conveys to Virginia the right and the responsibility to regulate alcohol in a manner consistent with Virginia needs and Virginia values.

After Prohibition, the General Assembly carefully and deliberately created an ABC system that has provided an effective balance of control, service and revenue for almost eighty years.

ABC generates badly-needed revenue for critical public services, including education, law enforcement and mental health programs. In FY 2011 alone, ABC generated almost $121 million in record PROFITS – money on TOP of $114 million in tax revenues.

Average annual growth in ABC profits last ten years: 11%. FY 2011 profits: 190% higher than FY 2001.

ABC works to ensure that adults of legal age who choose to purchase alcohol can do so in an environment that operates in compliance with the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.

In short, the current ABC system helps to support Virginia’s quality of life. ABC is not “broken” and does not need to be “fixed.”