Sunday, May 5, 2013
Testimony at a recent Pa. Senate hearing told of liquor privatization as a harbinger of social chaos, but advocates of privatization say the concerns were overblown.
By Eric Boehm| PA Independent HARRISBURG – For most of the last two years, the debate over alcohol privatization in Pennsylvania has focused on the financial aspects of the Republican-backed plan to sell-off the state liquors. But such bottom-line issues took a backseat as the state Senate held the first of three planned hearings on the liquor bill passed by the state House in March. Social issues were front and center in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, with privatization painted as a harbinger of doom by a litany of testifiers who promised everything from an increase in crime and disease to higher rates of unemployment and prostitution. Related stories: And all, they said, because a private retailer would be allowed to sell a bottle…
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Gov. Tom Corbett says it is time for Pennsylvania to be done with it’s liquor-selling state monopoly.
- GOVERNMENT
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Sunday, February 3
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett has unveiled a plan to privatize Pennsylvania’s monopoly liquor store system, simultaneously executing a deft political move intended to accomplish a goal of his administration while undercutting some of his loudest critics. Read More: Pa. State Store Privatization OK with Lehigh Valley Lawmakers In Pittsburgh, Corbett said the proceeds from selling off the state liquor stores – estimated at more than $1 billion – would be used to increase funding for basic education over the next four years. The revenue could be used to enhance school safety and security and create a grant program for school districts to use for early education, individualized learning and math, science and …
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Lawmakers appear to like Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to eliminate and privatize the state's wine and liquor stores.
Several Lehigh Valley lawmakers look favorably upon Gov. Tom Corbett's plan to privatize the state's approximately 620 wine and liquor stores. Under Corbett's plan, announced Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh, state liquor stores would be eliminated. That, it is hoped, would increase availability of beer, wine and liquor sales. In a press release, Corbett committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. Corbett said that the $1 billion will be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, which will provide flexibility to schools. “Our plan gives consumers what they want by increasing choice and convenience, and helps to secure our future by adding $1 billion in funding toward the education of our children, …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
After years of failure, there is a chance 2013 will be the year Pennsylvania ditches the state monopoly for liquor sales.
- GOVERNMENT
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Sunday, January 20
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent HARRISBURG – Corbett administration officials were hard at last week crafting a proposal that might finally lift Pennsylvania out of last vestiges of the Prohibition Era. After years of failure, there is a chance 2013 will be the year Pennsylvania ditches the state monopoly for liquor sales. Sources who have attended a series of meeting with the administration in recent weeks to help craft a still-unfinished proposal are hopeful that an announcement will be made in the next two weeks – before Gov. Tom Corbett gives his annual budget address, scheduled for Feb. 5. Several people with knowledge of the discussions say the administration is taking the lead on the issue this time, a notable shift from how Corbett …
Starship Trooper
8:21 am on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Senator McIllhenny... Do you think the constituents are stupid.? Over 70 % of us want privatization.With that kind of majority I would think the Senate would easily vote Yes for privatization. If the Senate votes NO then the Senators who voted against privatization will more than likely lose their seat next election cycle. Thats my guess. more ›