LCB suggests changes to new state bill

OCEAN CITY -- An attorney for the Worcester County Liquor Control Board is urging Lower Shore lawmakers to amend the bill passed by the Maryland Senate to dissolve the liquor board so that it contains provisions protecting employees, among other things.

John Phoebus, in a letter to Sen. Jim Mathias, D-38-Worcester, asks that if the legislature adopts the legislation, that the final bill include provisions that are in Del. Mike McDermott's, R-38B-Worcester, bill, but absent in Mathias' bill.

First, the LCB asks that the bill guarantee that liquor board employees accepting employment with Worcester County don't lose salary, wages, accrued leave time or seniority rights. Second, the LCB recommends that the county's new Department of Liquor Control be given the authority to charge a fee to licensees who, starting in 2016, can opt out of buying alcohol from the county system.

No bill is final until passed by the House of Delegates and Senate.