Maine gov rejects liquor wholesaler offer
Maine governor rejects offer from state's wholesale liquor distributor
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Maine Gov. Paul LePage has rejected an offer from the state's wholesale liquor distributor to guarantee the state $320 million over 10 years if the state extends its contract without a bidding process.
Maine Beverage Co. President and CEO Dean Williams said he could guarantee annual state liquor revenues of $32 million, with the potential for an additional $4 to $6 million annually. Maine Beverage has held the wholesale liquor contract for the past decade, but it's set to expire next year.
In response, LePage said the state can do better by putting the contract out to competitive bids.
The owner of Lewiston-based Dirigo Spirit, which plans to bid on the contract when it comes open, also said Maine can get a better deal than what Maine Beverage is offering.
