Pa. House pulls back from vote on privatizing LCB

HARRISBURG - The House of Representatives adjourned the day with no discussion, let alone a vote, on a much-talked about proposal to private Pennsylvania's state-run liquor stores.

The Republican-controlled House had been set to resume debate Tuesday on a revamped plan to get the state out of the business of selling wine and hard liquor, but abruptly adjourned without doing so, leaving many to question whether the measure is dead for lack of votes.

The proposal's key sponsor, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) could not be reached for immediate comment.

Turzai's plan calls for issuing 1,600 licenses, the first 1,050 of which would be offered to beer distributors, who under current law can sell only beer, and only by the case - or keg.

The remaining licenses would be auctioned off, on a county-by-county basis, to the highest bidders.

The plan also would, for the first time, let beer distributors sell six-packs - or any other configuration, such as an 18-pack - with no limit on the number of packages sold in a single transaction. As it stands now, consumers can only buy six-packs at bars, delis, or taverns (usually at a steep markup), and no more than two at a time.

Despite public support, not to mention the backing of Gov. Corbett, the proposal has faced an uphill battle. Critics include those in the legislature who say alcohol should be tightly controlled and union supporters who worry that LCB employees will lose good-paying jobs.

There is also disagreement on whether it makes financial sense to scrap the current system, which provides reliable revenue for the state.