AUGUST 11, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

PLCB Kiosk Catastrophe Contains Cover Up

Signals 'last call' for government-sold alcohol

The Commonwealth Foundation strongly condemned the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today for failing to listen to advisors and covering up interagency memos recommending against a failed wine kiosk program that has cost Pennsylvania taxpayers millions.

AUGUST 1, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

AG Audit Finds Rampant PLCB Waste and Mismanagement

CF renews call to end government liquor sales

The Commonwealth Foundation strongly condemned the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today for systematic waste and abuse of taxpayer money and assets following a scathing Pa. Auditor General audit report that found rampant agency mismanagement of inventory and finances.

JULY 13, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Commonwealth Foundation Toasts Turzai Liquor Freedom Bill

Sees opportunity to return freedom to consumers, taxpayers

Commonwealth Foundation toasted House Majority Leader Mike Turzai today for unveiling House Bill 11, a law that would privatize the wholesale and retail sales operations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

JULY 7, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Applauds Initial Liquor Liberty Law Proposal

Commonwealth Foundation wholeheartedly praised House Majority Leader Mike Turzai for filing a proposal today seeking co-sponsors for his bill that would end the state's liquor monopoly.

JULY 5, 2011 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Blasts Big Brother Booze Brag

Calls for Liquor Independence Day

Commonwealth Foundation denounced a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board press release today for its failure to disclose all the fiscal facts and for boasting about a government-run monopoly on liquor sales that has forced Pennsylvania consumers into bootlegging and breathalyzers.

FEBRUARY 25, 2011 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Benefits of Liquor Store Privatization for Pennsylvanians

Testimony of Nathan Benefield to the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee

Privatization will give Pennsylvanians better services, lower prices and greater selection on alcoholic products. The current monopoly forces Pennsylvanians to pay up to 50 percent more for liquor than in other states-many of which offer a variety of wines not available in the Commonwealth, and allow wine bought online to be delivered to your door.  Customers' selection is about to get even more limited, as the PLCB is in the process of cutting 400 wine and spirit products from its shelves.

FEBRUARY 14, 2011 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD, ANTONY DAVIES PH.D.

Impacts of Liquor Privatization

Testimony of Nathan Benefield and Antony Davies to the Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee, Feb. 14, 2011

In more than twenty years of research, numerous studies have failed to reach a consensus as to what social benefits, if any, people derive from their states controlling alcohol markets. The results of our studies indicate that state control of alcohol markets does not contribute to improved social outcomes and, disturbingly in the case of DUI fatalities, appears to contribute to reduced social outcomes.

JANUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legislators to help lead a Pennsylvania comeback.  Each of these recommendations links to Commonwealth Foundation research with more information on each issue.  Collectively, these recommendations represent a "A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth," which can be found at CommonwealthFoundation.org/BluePrint.

JANUARY 17, 2011 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes

Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots at the notion that Harrisburg can close Pennsylvania's a potential $5 billion budget gap without a tax increase.

DECEMBER 21, 2010 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

Private Liquor Stores: A Reason for Cheers

As many Pennsylvanians are heading to their local state liquor store to pick up holiday cheer, there are three things they won't be celebrating: Higher costs, less selection and lower quality service in the bloated bureaucracy of Pennsylvania's state-run liquor monopoly.