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DECEMBER 22, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Why Gov. Corbett Didn't Get His Christmas Wish List
For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on: An education reform package that included school vouchers, state liquor store privatization and legislation addressing gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
DECEMBER 12, 2011 | Commentary by DAWN MELING
PLCB Must End Costly Mission Conflict
In high school, I threw the javelin in track and field, badly wanting to be recruited by a college athletics program. My dad would joke that he never had to worry about high school boys and unwanted attention towards me because I could out bench press almost every guy in my school. And that was my attitude too - nothing to worry abou
DECEMBER 9, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
PLCB Called on to Stop Wine and Spirits Advertising
The Commonwealth Foundation called for an immediate halt today by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board of taxpayer-funded advertising that promotes the sale of wine and spirits by the government-run monopoly.
Recent Blog Posts
MAY 17, 2012
Taxpayers Screaming at PLCB Waste
Another day, another story of waste at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. ABC 27's Dennis Owens reports on the PLCB buying extravagant wine, then selling it at a discount (and not charging taxes or the usual 30 percent markup).
In all, the PLCB spent just over $27,000 on eight bottles of Screaming Eagle Cabernet and sold them for just over $20,000 - a $7,000 dollar loss - which leaves critics with a bitter aftertaste. ...
The PLCB did not collect the usual markup. If those taxes and fees are factored in, the losses on those wines is closer to $22,613.
This is just the latest in a long train of abuses. Just in the last two weeks, stories have surfaced about the PLCB's Wine Shrine, the $2.5 million the monopoly seller of wine and spirits lost in broken or missing bottles, and the $100,000 the PLCB spent on an iPhone app.
If anyone is benefiting from the PLCB's monopoly, it is investigative reporters, who don't have to go too far to find another story of government wasting your tax dollars.
Visit FreeMyDrink.com to take action.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 11:00 AM | 0 comment
MAY 15, 2012
Broken Bottle Booze Bonanza Baffles Bourbon Barons
Another day, another alliteration, another wasteful Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board practice uncovered by the media. This time, a hat tip to Ben Simmoneau of CBS 3 Philadelphia for his report uncorking a putrid potables policy whereby consumers can simply pour out contents, break a bottle, return it to the PLCB and they will replace it, no questions asked! You can't make this stuff up.
The bottom line for the Viceroys of Vine: They lost $2.5 million worth of wine and liquor: bottles broken, stolen or just plain missing. The year before, it was $3 million. And that was a year the whole system only made $52 million, according to the report.
But no worries, drinks are always on the house. And by house, I mean taxpayers, who will continue to bear the burden of government-sold booze until privatization finds its way. Until then, stay thirsty comrades.
posted by JAY OSTRICH | 04:00 PM | 0 comment
MAY 11, 2012
UnAPPetizing Waste Poured by PLCB...Again
Have you heard of the millionaire iPhone app? It's called VIP Black and for $1,000 at the iTunes store you get a "premium lifestyle application" that guarantees "heightened experiences across the range of luxury partners."
Good for those who can afford and benefit from this app (perhaps those who have luxury tasting rooms on other people's dime), but I'm guessing most of us - let's call us the Angry Birds crowd - could never imagine dropping that kind of coin on an app. But we already have. In fact, taxpayers had to foot the bill for an app that costs 100 times the millionaire app. 
The PLCB launched the Fine Wine & Good Sprits app back in January. This free download lets users scan the bar codes on wine and spirits and find out if PA's Bordeaux Barons have granted Pennsylvanians the privilege of purchasing it and, if so, where they can find it and for how much. Unfortunately the app does not, as one message board comment lamented, offer the quickest directions to New Jersey or Delaware. The cost to taxpayers? $100,000. And this is just the latest example of PA's monopoly of mediocrity burning through tax dollars in the name of "modernization;" let's not forget the wine kiosk catastrophe and the $66 million failed inventory system.
It's time for Pennsylvania to truly modernize and join the 48 other states that have moved beyond total state control over wine and liquor sales. Pennsylvanians want freedom, and we don't need an app for that.
posted by DAWN MELING | 00:08 PM | 0 comment
