Christian Action League
July 18, 2019
Dear Pastor and other Citizen Christians,
What if I told you that there was legislation afoot that would increase the number of ABC liquor stores in North Carolina from 433 to approximately 2000? How would you feel if you learned that this higher concentration of liquor stores would seriously exacerbate the problems of underage drinking – something that results in the death of one young person every week in North Carolina? Would it trouble you if you knew that research clearly shows multiple liquor stores cause increases in violence and homicide rates? What reaction would you have if you learned that liquor stores in your community would have longer and later hours of sale – some could become 24-hour liquor stores? Do you want liquor signage and promotions dotting the landscape of your community?
It is not the slightest hyperbole to argue that if HB 971 – Modern Licensure Model for Alcohol Control were to pass; all of these hypotheticals would likely become a reality. This bill will be heard in the House ABC Committee on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in Room 1228/1327 of the Legislative Building in Raleigh.
The Christian Action League needs your help in showing strong opposition to this initiative to privatize the sale of liquor in the Tar Heel state. Legislators will be weighing the reaction of constituents to this proposal at the hearing and otherwise. That’s why it’s so important that two things occur:
- We need pastors to come to the House ABC Committee meeting on Tuesday in Raleigh. If you are a pastor, you know that you are a shepherd – not just to your congregation but to your community. A good shepherd seeks to protect the flock. As a pastor, you can register your opposition to this egregious legislation just by being present.
If you will, consider speaking before the committee (no more than 2 minutes) to encourage members of the ABC Committee to reject the proposal. This can make a tremendous impact. If we have a poor representation of the religious community present at the meeting, then it will seriously embolden the bill’s proponents and supporters.
If you are a pastor and decide to come, please contact me either by email or phone at:
rev.markcreech@christianactionleague.org
919.915.3033
Although the meeting starts at 3:00, those who come should be present by 2:00 to secure a seat in the room.
If you are not a pastor, you are also encouraged to come. However, it is even more important that pastors are present for the meeting. If you are not a pastor, please forward this email to him right away.
2. Contact members of the House ABC Committee to ask them NOT to approve any legislation for the privatization of liquor sales in North Carolina. Below are the names and contact information of each member of the House ABC Committee:
House ABC Committee
Jamie Boles (chair)
Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net
919.733.5903
Chuck McGrady (chair)
Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net
919.733.5956
Susan Fisher (v chair)
Susan.Fisher@ncleg.net
919.715.2013
Jon Hardister (v chair)
Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net
919.733.5191
Kelly Alexander
Kelly.Alexander@ncleg.net
919.733.5778
John Bell
John.Bell@ncleg.net
919.715.3017
Allison Dahle
Allison.Dahle@ncleg.net
919.733.5755
Josh Dobson
Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net
919.733.5862
Yvonne Holley
Yvonne.Holley@ncleg.net
919.733.5758
Pat Hurley
Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net
919.733.5865
Linda Johnson
LindaP.Johnson@ncleg.net
919.733.5861
Marvin Lucas
Marvin.Lucas@ncleg.net
919.733.5775
Graig Meyer
Graig.Meyer@ncleg.net
919.715.3019
Jason Saine
Jason.Saine@ncleg.net
919.733.5872
Brian Turner
Brian.Turner@ncleg.net
919.715.3012
Shelly Willingham
Shelly.Willingham@ncleg.net
919.714.3024
Larry Yarborough
Larry.Yarborough@ncleg.net
919.715.0850
Lee Zachary
Lee.Zachary@ncleg.net
919.715.8361
Sarah Stevens
Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net
919.715-1883
David Lewis
David.Lewis@ncleg.net
919.715.3015
Brenden Jones
Brenden.Jones@ncleg.net
919.733.5821
If you are unclear on what the privatization of liquor sales in North Carolina would mean for our state, you can access a paper that I wrote on the subject. I urge you to read it on the Christian Action League’s website by clicking here.
Although the ABC Committee will only be holding a hearing on HB 971, we must respond as if they were ready to move on it right away. If we fail to make a strong show of opposition now, it only means lawmakers will be bolstered to keep moving forward with it.
I hope you understand the seriousness of this situation and will react with an appropriate response, as I have suggested here.
Please act now. There is no time to lose.
Lastly, please pray and encourage others to pray that North Carolina lawmakers would be dissuaded from supporting this terrible bill – a bill that will result in awful consequences for public health and safety.
Dr. Mark H. Creech, Executive Director