By a party-line vote, a bill that would end the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s ability to set prices based on its own passed a state House committee Thursday.
A bill aimed at giving retailers more flexibility in the sale of beer and wine went under the microscope by a Pennsylvania House panel, but the chairman of the committee said a recommendation is far from official.
Eight groups representing wine and spirits producers from Canada, Europe, and New Zealand said the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s ability to negotiate lower prices from suppliers and then decide on its own whether to pass any savings on to consumers violates international trade law.
In order to keep paying Pennsylvania’s bills without a revenue bill from the Republican-controlled Legislature, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf intends to raise $1.25 billion from future profits of the state’s liquor system.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s decision to raise prices this week on hundreds of brands of wines and spirits is just the latest reminder of the need for lawmakers to privatize the State Stores.
The season of backyard barbecues is upon us.
House Republicans on Tuesday pushed ahead a set of changes to how alcohol is sold in the state, moving to privatize wholesale wine and spirits sales and expand the retail outlets where booze is available.
Harrisburg lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation on two issues that could play key roles in budget talks later this spring: liquor and gambling.
A plan proposed by state House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, would allow shoppers to buy their wine where they get their pasta and sauce – in the normal grocery aisles instead of a segregated cafe area of the store.
In a state Capitol room full of union members opposed to the legislation, the House Liquor Control Committee on Monday approved two bills whose sponsors believe are building on the liquor reforms of Act 39 of 2016.