Hearings set on bill to privatize liquor stores

HARRISBURG - Let the liquor hearings begin.

The first of what will likely be three state Senate hearings on a controversial bill to privatize Pennsylvania's government-run wine and liquor stores has been scheduled for next Tuesday in the Capitol - and it is bound to be telling.

That the bill has few ardent fans in the Senate is no secret. Republicans who control the chamber have strongly signaled they are leaning toward modernizing, rather than privatizing, the State-Store system.

The hearings before the Senate Law and Justice Committee are sure to provide a first glimpse into just how hard it may be to move liquor privatization closer to the finish line.

The bill that passed the House last month in a historic vote is a toned-down version of the bolder, more aggressive privatization plan Gov. Corbett proposed earlier this year. His administration, nonetheless, supports the bill and is lobbying hard for it.

The legislation calls for gradually selling licenses to private entrepreneurs, starting with beer distributors, and eventually closing the 600-plus State Stores. Still, it sets conditions that could allow some State Stores, especially in less-populated counties, to keep operating.

Democrats and some conservative Republicans have derided the bill, warning that increased access to alcohol would lead to more drinking and all the social ills that come with it.

They have noted repeatedly that privatization would cost 3,500 State Store clerks their jobs.

Opponents also dispute Republican estimates that the proposed selling of liquor licenses would generate $800 million, proceeds Corbett wants to direct to public schools for early-childhood education, safety, individual learning, and science, technology, engineering and math programs.

The first Senate committee hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday; the second is set for May 14. A date for the third has not been set.

What changes senators on the Law and Justice Committee may make remains a question.

But this might give some idea of the direction they could take: Sen. Chuck McIlhinney Jr. (R., Bucks), who chairs the committee, has a bill that would keep State Stores open but let beer retailers buy a special license to sell wine and liquor.