Corbett Backs Privatizing Pa. Liquor Sales

Mary Wilson
Newsworks

Gov. Tom Corbett says he supports the privatization of wine and liquor sales in Pennsylvania.

His comments come ahead of the introduction of a bill to do just that. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai of Allegheny County plans to announce legislation that would put alcohol back on the competitive market.

Corbett, who said Tuesday he has not seen the proposal, said he favors ending state-run liquor stores, which have been the norm in Pennsylvania for about 80 years.

“I don’t think we should be in the business. That’s No. 1,” he said. “How you get there, how you get to that point and what you privatize and how much revenue comes into it, that has to be worked on.”

The governor clarified that it’s not that those questions aren’t adequately addressed in Turzai’s measure. He said those will be the primary challenges with any attempt to privatize liquor stores.

He said privatization will be one of his top priorities when the General Assembly reconvenes in the fall—along with addressing transportation funding, Marcellus Shale policy and school vouchers legislation.

Read more: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/22989