Del. Robert Brink, D-Arlington, notably introduced Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plan to privatize the retail side of Virginia’s state-run liquor stores in the Virginia House of Delegates. But the bill has not yet received a hearing — which Brink readily pointed out on the House floor Wednesday.
“I wake up in the morning filled with hope that today will be the day that my bill gets a hearing,” he said. “I walk into the General Assembly Building and my friends in the lobby – I think they call themselves lobbyists – come up to me and ask me how my bill is doing.”
While Brink has denied that politicking had anything to do with his introducing one of the signature pursuits of the Republican governor, others contend that the move is an effort to deflect political blame from Democrats should the bill ultimately fail.
But political gamesmanship notwithstanding, Brink still wants a hearing.
“I do think that it’s a serious proposal that deserves careful consideration and analysis, a hearing and a vote,” said Brink, repeating the number of the bill to drive his point home.
“I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice,” he said.
