Jackson Jambalaya

The hypocrisy of the MS Legislature is peak 'godforsaken.' They love the liquor tax revenue but refuse to modernize the laws. Between the Sunday ban and the 'separate store' rule for beer and liquor, they’re just making life harder for tax-paying adults. It’s 2026. Can we finally stop the state-sponsored bootlegging and join the 21st century?

Go all private sector or public sector, no missing between them. Oh, by the way, how has that public sector been working out for everyone except for the ABC elite?

That man had the audacity to say people tell them they WANT a State warehouse.

Well, Sir, it’s not working. And tell me who WANTS it. I need a list. A list of lobbyists?

I WANT y’all to stop bowing down to these lobbyists and taking all their money and let this state operate like LA, TN and
AL.

We are no fools. We see all the graft and frankly has become sickening.

There is not a living soul that wants a state warehouse. How to do it (see Louisiana)

Well stated.

I can already hear the state bureaucrats whining if the warehouse was closed.

The real issue is the $110-120 million in revenue that the state brings in by operating the warehouse. Where will that come from if the state gets out of the distribution business?

Maybe create state run grocery stores or bakeries or fast food restaurants or gas stations or car washes or...

Taxes are collected the same way whether there is a warehouse or not. Thus the cost of the warehousing system actually reduces the net income the state receives in taxes.

@ March 20, 2026 at 10:01 AM

Look, we need to stop following Alabama’s lead. They’re a state-controlled mess with prices that make Mississippi’s look like a bargain, and that’s saying something. Alabama's ABC board just keeps hiking fees while the state keeps its thumb on the scale.
If we want a real model, look to Louisiana. They treat their citizens like adults. Their open-market approach doesn't just mean more convenience—it means better competition, lower prices, and a system that actually benefits the consumer instead of just padding a government warehouse budget. It’s time for Mississippi to stop being a 'control state' dinosaur and finally let the market decide. Free the bottle.

The warehouse has been a boondoggle for years serving no purpose for 50 years or more. There couldn't be a bigger government waste of money in Mississippi (especially since the foxes stopped guarding the Human Services chicken house a few years ago). The political leadership of Mississippi (all parties, all races, all genders) should be ashamed for allowing such a flagrant waste of tax dollars for all these years (and continuing to sit on their hand now).

Ditch the state warehouse. Ditch the three tiered system. Allow wine and liquor sales in grocery stores. Allow Sunday sales. Give consumers - the voters and taxpayers who fund the state and contribute the liquor taxes these legislators want to take in - more better options. If the local package stores can’t compete, that’s their problem. Why should the entire public have to pay the price to keep them afloat?

We should build a state warehouse for beer, and another for cigarettes, and another for soft drinks, and another for bread products, and another for ice cream. See how stupid it sounds when people quit sitting back and thinking well it has always been this way, there must be a reason. Yes the reason is a monopoly for the liquor stores.

Abolish package stores and ABC warehouse.

@10:35 - easy answer. Ease up on eliminating the state income tax by enough to cover the diff.

@10:57, do you think the private distributors are going to do it for free? Prices will go up for consumers.

Had to add this to the conversation - in case any of our legislators are reading up here:

*Average Savings: Research indicates that liquor prices in "open" (licensed) states like Louisiana are approximately 6.9% lower than in "control" states like Mississippi.

*The "Wine Gap": Mississippi has some of the highest wine prices in the country, with an average bottle costing $15.51—the highest in the nation as of 2025.

*Alabama’s Burden: Alabama maintains one of the highest effective tax rates on distilled spirits in the U.S. at $22.87 per gallon, significantly higher than Mississippi's $8.51 per gallon.

*Louisiana’s Efficiency: Louisiana levies a much lower excise tax on spirits (approximately $2.08 per gallon for 80-proof spirits) and allows sales in grocery stores and gas stations 24/7, creating a more competitive environment for consumers.

Can you guys truly not add and subtract?

The state is already ‘making’ (taxing) $110m in revenue operating the warehouse. Mississippians are already paying for the cost. Do you think it’s free today? If the state truly needs the revenue, the state can adjust taxes accordingly through distributors just as they do with beer or cigarettes. Ideally, they’ll lower them.

I’m not a libertarian, but this is an area that the state has no business being in. We don’t warehouse cigarettes and beer is distributed. Mississippi still gets its pound of flesh. Why is everything so beholden to a f*in state warehouse for booze? THIS is what you want the state to do? THIS?