Star-Ledger
By Paul Mulshine
April 20, 2010

I just received a press release from state Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, a Democrat from Cherry Hill, calling for state law to be changed so supermarkets can sell beer and wine.

This is a good idea. Consumers would benefit from buying wine and beer in supermarkets. But Greenwald goes on to state that his approach would not permit towns to increase the number of licenses.

Why not?

In other states, a liquor license is just that, a license. In New Jersey, it's a franchise. The state has created an artificial monopoly to benefit sellers at the expense of consumers.

This was done via the grandfathering of licenses that went through back in the 1940s during the administration of the odious Governor Wally Edge. As a result some towns have more than 40 licenses per square mile while others have just one or two.

This makes no sense. If the town officials want to sell new licenses, why should the state stop them? The money could bused to cut property taxes and consumers would have more options.

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Courier Post
By Courier Post Staff
April 21, 2010

TRENTON — A South Jersey legislator has proposed changing state law to allow increased sales of alcoholic beverages at grocery stores.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, said his measure would phase out a current cap of two liquor licenses in a municipality per company. The limit would rise to 10 over a 10-year period, he said.

Greenwald's measure also would impose a 10 percent transfer fee, to be paid to municipalities by a liquor license buyer. Greenwald said the changes would boost the economy while increasing municipal revenues.

New Bill Would Modernize State’s Liquor Licensing Laws, Stimulate Economy

(VOORHEES) - Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) today announced he has introduced legislation to stimulate New Jersey’s economy by modernizing the state’s liquor licensing laws. Assembly Bill 2591 (A-2591), known as the “New Jersey Grocery Store Economic Development Act,” would gradually expand the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages in grocery stores that opt to provide that convenience. Current laws only permit two liquor licenses per company or individual.

“These laws are holdovers from a bygone era when only ‘mom and pop’ corner stores existed,” said Greenwald. “My legislation will move our state’s liquor licensing laws into the 21st century, creating jobs and stimulating the economy while correcting arcane quirks in our laws.”

Notably, A-2591 would not increase the number of liquor licenses a municipality may issue; instead, the legislation would ease an overly restrictive cap on New Jersey businesses, promoting economic growth and job creation.

Greenwald added the legislation would assist businesses and struggling municipalities looking to promote economic growth. “Just as we worked to cut red tape and modernize the state’s automobile insurance laws, we must now work to ensure our state’s grocery stores aren’t held back by liquor licensing laws crafted for a totally different era,” said Greenwald. “This legislation will stimulate local economies while providing revenue for our towns and cities.”

Specifically, A-2591 would:

Assembly Budget Committee Dems on Second Budget Public Hearing from NJ Assembly Democratic Office on Vimeo.