After coming out in favor of allowing beer and wine sales at Maryland grocery stores, Gov. Wes Moore signaled Wednesday that he’s not planning to press the issue amid significant political resistance and disinterest from other lawmakers.

“This is not going to be one of my administration’s priorities,” Moore said at The Daily Record’s Eye on Annapolis summit on opening day of the General Assembly’s 2025 session.

Moore still implored legislators to “listen to the people” on expanding beer and wine sales, a proposal that has failed to gain traction in previous years. Marylanders want to be able to pick up a bottle of wine when they’re shopping for groceries, Moore said.

“I understand the liquor lobby has an opinion,” he said. “I also know that the people of the state have also had an opinion for a very long time on this. I don’t think it’s an unfair opinion.”

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Moore’s surprise statement of support last month prompted immediate backlash from beer and wine retailers, who said the plan would hurt their businesses. Maryland has banned beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores since 1978, though there are some exceptions for stores that were grandfathered in with a preexisting liquor license.

Jack Milani, head of the state association that represents liquor stores and bars and restaurants, said last month that he believed expanding sales to grocery stores would shrink the pie for mom-and-pop stores and redistribute those profits to large grocery chains and corporations.

The governor’s comments Wednesday suggest he is not willing to spend political capital on alcohol sales during what promises to be a challenging legislative session centered on a looming state budget deficit.

Senate President Bill Ferguson said expanding beer and wine sales “is not an urgent crisis,” speaking after Moore at the same event on Wednesday.

“In a year where we’re trying to close a $3 billion deficit, I think we’re going to focus on the budget,” he said.

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Del. C.T. Wilson, the chair of the House Economic Matters Committee, which handles alcohol-related bills, was similarly unenthusiastic.

“I don’t really see the benefits. It just punishes small businesses,” Wilson said. The proposal would also make it easier for teens to access alcohol, he said.

“Bringing more vice and liquor in my community is never an answer,” he said.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the committee that Del. C.T. Wilson chairs.