The lease agreement for the Montgomery Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) facility is end In 2025, the board is looking for a new, larger facility. The ABC board had been open to the proposal for a new warehouse, but recently decided not to proceed any further at this time.

I have a better solution to the problem that ABC needs a new warehouse. The idea is to close all ABC stores and force the state government out of the alcohol retail business. This will eliminate the need for new facilities. Problem solved.

Alabama is one of only 17 states where the government has a monopoly on alcohol sales. I can understand why a Democratic-controlled state would want this kind of monopoly, but the Yellowhammer State is a solidly conservative state. Can someone please explain how the government running liquor stores fits in with the state's conservative priorities?

What would happen if Governor Ivey announced tomorrow that Alabama would begin opening new government-run grocery stores and that the state would have exclusive control over all food sold in the state? Please try to imagine. That's outrageous, right?

Republicans will argue that this is a dangerous step toward socialism in what is supposed to be a free market state. Still, the state essentially already runs a socialist liquor enterprise.

We understand that getting Alabama out of retail alcohol is easier said than done.

In fact, many politicians on both sides of the aisle feel that ABC Stores brings significant benefits to the state. People who believe that don't understand basic economics. While it's true that stores generate revenue, it also hurts the potential economic growth of private retailers, which are no longer constrained by government monopolies.

We also understand that even many Republicans find it difficult to relinquish control of government under any circumstances. Well, it's not the legislature's job to have more control over the economy. Republican people should already know that.

The only benefit I can think of from the existence of ABC Stores is that they are an example, showing the world why the private sector is so much better at running stores and selling products than governments. It is obvious to the discerning person that government stores are not as nice as private stores.

The good news is that plans are in the works to gradually privatize alcohol retail operations in the state. State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said there is a plan to phase it out. Let's hope Republican leaders prove how conservative they are by supporting such legislation.

It's time for Alabama's leaders — who often advocate free markets and limit conservatives in government — to prove it to the state's citizens. It's time to end the largest and most unnecessary government monopoly that still exists.

The time has come to privatize alcohol sales in Alabama.

Yaffee is a contributor to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee