Should Pennsylvania Be in the Liquor Business?

December 1933, more than 1,000 store clerks are hired for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the first merit system employees ever hired in the commonwealth. In 1934, the first stores are opened. (Photo courtesy of PLCB).

Pennsylvania took a historic step toward reforming its liquor system when the House of Representatives Committee on Liquor Control approved Governor Corbett’s plan.

This significant first step puts Pennsylvania on the path to enjoying the same consumer choice and convenience that 48 other states currently offer. By breaking down the barriers of the state run liquor monopoly, we also have the opportunity to make significant investments in our schools.

The full House of Representatives will vote on the Governor’s plan this Thursday, March 21st, and your representative needs to hear from you.

The bill would do the following:

• Create 1,200 wine and spirit licenses, giving beer distributors the first right of refusal for the first 12 months. At the end of the 12 months, any remaining licenses would be made available to the public.
• After the LCB stores close, the Department of General Services, in cooperation with the board, could create up to an additional 600 licenses.
• Beer distributors could opt to sell wine or spirits or both, and they would have 48 months to pay for the licenses. Separate fees would be charged for wine and liquor licenses.
• Package reform would be accomplished through a permit process - $1,000 a year for distributors to sell growlers and six and 12-packs.
• Supermarkets would be permitted to purchase licenses to sell wine Monday through Saturday but would have to purchase an additional permit at a cost of $1,500 annually to sell on Sundays.
• The LCB stores would gradually close, dependent on the number of wine and spirit licenses and supermarket licenses sold.

The amended, however, bill does not earmark $1 billion from the sales of license specifically toward educational block grants as Gov. Corbett had proposed.

Let your voice be heard. Email your legislator and let them know your opinioon getting Pennsylvania out of the liquor business.