Liquor privatization advances in PA House
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Liquor privatization advances in PA House
Privatizing the sale of wine and hard liquor in Pennsylvania passed its first big test earlier today.
Members of the House Liquor Control committee voted along strictly partisan lines to approve an amended version of Gov. Corbett's proposal to turn over the state's 600-plus wine and spirits shops to the private sector.
The measure now heads to the House floor, where it could be voted on as early as this week. That would be the farthest a liquor-privatization bill has moved through the legislature.
"It's really the first step," said Rep. John Taylor (R., Philadelphia), the committee's chairman, noting that the issue has been discussed in the Capitol for years.
Corbett called it a “momentous first step to bring Pennsylvania into the 21st Century and provide Pennsylvanians with the convenience and choice that Americans in 48 other states enjoy.”
The committee on Monday made changes to Corbett's original proposal, which called for an aggressive auctioning off of state stores to the private sector, including supermarkets, convenience stores and big box stores. The amendment, sponsored by House Republicans, would scale that proposal back quite a bit.
For instance, under the amendment, state stores would not immediately shut down. Instead, they would be phased out over time, and may even remain open in certain more rural counties.
And grocery stores would only be able to sell wine to go, unless they apply for a special liquor license that allows them to sell beer as well.
As for the state's currently-operating beer distributors, they would get the first shot at applying for one of the 1,200 licenses to sell alcohol.
Democrats on the committee complained today that the measure was being rammed through without being properly vetted. They unsuccessfully tried to postpone the hearing, and reschedule a new one that would feature witnesses on both sides of the debate.
Republicans countered that the issue has been discussed for decades, and was vetted at length last year, when a separate privatization bill was being considered.
Going forward, the measure faces an uncertain future. It's not yet clear whether Republicans have the votes in the House to approve privatization without some Democratic support. Even it if clears the House, several top senators have expressed concerns about a full-scale selling off of the state system.
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Soon we will have minimum wage girls in bikinis selling gin to the lowest common denominator.— Cuddles- I certainly hope so, that sounds awesome.
— snarfies - Cuddles, so often I find myself in total agreement with the points of view you express.
Not here!
You're implying that if we get rid of the State Stores then hoards of unqualified patronage-appointed laggards who sell gin and other liquors to the highest, lowest and middle denominator will be out of work because they're not equipped to be hired by the private sector. Why do you insist on messing around with Darwin?
Minimum skills - Minimum Wage. - Hopefully this is step 1 toward getting this thing done finally! And if they changed the "full scale selling off", maybe that won't stop it, like the last sentence alludes to. GET IT DONE, PA!— uncle meat
- BTW, All the 13 &14 year olds in the neighborhood are very excited about having Booze sold at Wa Wa and 7-eleven stores. Finally PA can get it done.
— GOPee_er - If the senate doesn't pass a total privatization bill soon we will be looking for new senators because the public wants it done and they will know who stopped it.
Privatization IS Modernization— Albert Brooks - Cuddles? If they sell me bourbon too, I'm fine with that. But I gotta tell you, I've never seen minimum wage bikini girls at Canal's, or at Total Wine. Maybe you're thinking of another country with privately-owned liquor stores?— LewBryson
- This comment has been deleted. — bowersbarn
- I meet the consumers daily. Surprisingly enough, most of them actually don't want this. I'd really thought that the consumer wanted the liquor to be sold in the private sector, but after a few months of asking them, I've come to the conclusion that it's the outspoken minority that is determined for change.
In other words, you, nameless.— Vendrette - Pa. it's about time! Two thumbs up for privatizing, competition, competitive prices and selection! And more revenue! Did I just say yes to more tax revenue?— phillyfan1230
- Hey Pennsylvania. Welcome to the 19th Century! Congratulations on yuor less than progressive liqueur laws!
In another hundred years or so, you may even sanction medical marijuana! LOL— ricciaje - As a sign of protest, are you refusing to use spell check until Pennsylvania modernizes its alcohol rules and regulations? — AreaMan
