State Rep. Tom Kunse | Michigan House Republicans
State Rep. Tom Kunse | Michigan House Republicans
State Rep. Tom Kunse is demanding reforms within the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) following revelations of mismanagement within the agency. An investigation by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) uncovered that over 62,000 state-owned bottles of liquor were missing, amounting to nearly $1 million, which is more than 20 percent of the commission's total inventory.
Kunse expressed his shock, stating, “I’m sorry, but how is it even possible that the MLCC could be so mismanaged that 62,000 bottles of anything could just go missing?” He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that the scale of the issue should not be downplayed just because it involves alcohol. Kunse compared the loss to other scenarios, saying, “We would all be fixated on finding solutions if the Department of Corrections said it lost 62,000 prisoners or Treasury said it lost 20 percent of tax revenues.”
The audit also revealed significant accounting failures within the MLCC, including a lack of proper records for sales and purchases. Furthermore, the MLCC granted liquor licenses to three organizations prohibited from selling alcohol, resulting in sales totaling $272,139 over a period of time.
Kunse criticized the Whitmer administration, stating, “This is yet another example of the auditor general finding deep-rooted failures and incompetence within the Whitmer administration.” He emphasized the importance of the OAG's work and urged the Legislature to ensure its funding for continued oversight.
Amidst calls for accountability, Governor Gretchen Whitmer's proposed budget includes a substantial cut to the OAG's funding. Auditor General Doug Ringler warned that such a substantial reduction could hinder the OAG's ability to conduct necessary audits and even jeopardize federal funding.
The loss of 62,000 bottles of liquor has sparked concerns about the management and oversight of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, as lawmakers and auditors alike raise questions about the integrity and efficiency of the state agency.
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