Md. comptroller wants to end Montgomery County's liquor supply monopoly

ANNAPOLIS - There is a new effort underway in Annapolis to end Montgomery County's iron grip on liquor sales.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says he will introduce a bill in the General Assembly allowing private alcohol distributors to operate in the county because customers are turning to D.C. and Virginia.

Currently, Montgomery County only allows stores to buy from the county's own warehouse. Franchot says his bill will give the stores the option to buy beer, wine and liquor from either the county or a private warehouse.

"Consumers are getting gouged. They don't have any real choice. Businesses are going crazy," said Franchot. "People are voting with their feet by the thousands every day they go out of Montgomery County to purchase their alcohol, and this is something the state of Maryland needs to pay attention to."

Franchot's plan is not the only one on the table. A group of delegates want to put the issue up for a referendum and let the voters decide.