Governor looks at privatizing liquor sales

Gov. Bev Perdue wants to know if privatizing the state’s liquor sales system makes sense. So the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is hiring an outside group to estimate the value of the system

Perdue also sent a letter to legislators with recommendations based on human costs such as whether the change would lead to more liquor consumption.

North Carolina is the only state where local ABC boards sell spirits. Local boards have been scrutinized after news New Hanover County board administrator Billy Williams, who retired Friday, made more than $250,000 annually and a liquor company treated Mecklenburg County board officials to a fancy dinner.