Liquor Chair Wants to Hear from “Stakeholders”

Last night, Capitolwire.com reported (subscription required) that the chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, Rep. John Taylor, has proposed an amendment to the Governor’s liquor store privatization plan.  Chairman Taylor’s proposed amendment to HB 790 falls short in providing what the citizens of Pennsylvania demand: convenience, choices, and limiting the PLCB to its proper role as regulator. 

There are several reasons why the proposal fails to meet the demands of the most important stakeholders in this debate—consumers and taxpayers:

• The proposal maintains the government’s monopoly of the wholesale and distribution system for wine and spirits. This ensures government bureaucrats retain the power to choose which wines and spirits can and cannot be sold in Pennsylvania.

• The proposal keeps the government in the business of selling wine and spirits. Pennsylvanians want the ease of purchasing alcohol in grocery stores and convenience stores—the same conveniences afforded to the citizens in most states.

• The proposal maintains the PLCB’s conflict of interest. The PLCB should serve as the regulator of wine and spirits, not the purveyor. Pennsylvanians do not believe that the sale of alcohol is a core function of government.

Chairman Taylor has given interest groups until Thursday to respond to his amendment.  What more important interest groups are there in this debate than taxpayers and consumers?

Click here for contact information for Chairman Taylor and the members of the House Liquor Control Committee and let them know how you feel as a stakeholder in the fight for liquor liberty.  Click here for the memo I just sent to all the members of the House and the media.