Governor Tom Corbett is expected to announce details in the coming weeks of his plan to break the state's monopoly on liquor sales. This comes on the heels of his controversial contract with a British firm to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery.
Every Republican Governor since the 1980s has proposed taking the sale of liquor, wine and beer out of state control. However, there's never been a will within the General Assembly, or a ground swell of public support to abolish the state-owned wine and spirit shoppes.
One can only wonder if there will be this time.
Pennsylvania has 600 state stores, each with limited hours and many closed Sundays. Each store must be closed on state holidays. According to reports, Governor Corbett's plan would allow for 2,000 retailers.
Philadelphia Inquirer Reporter Angela Couloumbis spoke with a number of people familiar with the administration's plan, but insisted on anonymity. What she discovered is that it will be big and bold.
“A very aggressive, a very bold indicative that would completely private the system, sell off everything,” explained Coulombis. “So that if you're a consumer and you're looking for wine and beer, you'll be able to find it in the supermarket, at convenience stores, at big box stores like Cosco and Target, at restaurants, basically making it as accessible as possible."
She says nothing has been put in writing. The governor and his team are sending strong signals about what is they want.
It was hard Friday to find a consensus among the public.
"It would be good for Pennsylvania,” Lance Jones told us. “It would be great to bring Pennsylvania into the 21st century."
“I think our system works now,” Mark Kraynak stated. “If it's not broken, let's not fix it."
"They've been trying to do that for years. For some people it would be convenient,” David Venturo added. “But think of jobs. It's hard to get a job these days."
When the plan will be put to paper and publicly announced isn't known. There is speculation, however, that it will be before the Governor presents his budget to the General Assembly early next month.
Every Republican Governor since the 1980s has proposed taking the sale of liquor, wine and beer out of state control. However, there's never been a will within the General Assembly, or a ground swell of public support to abolish the state-owned wine and spirit shoppes.
One can only wonder if there will be this time.
Pennsylvania has 600 state stores, each with limited hours and many closed Sundays. Each store must be closed on state holidays. According to reports, Governor Corbett's plan would allow for 2,000 retailers.
Philadelphia Inquirer Reporter Angela Couloumbis spoke with a number of people familiar with the administration's plan, but insisted on anonymity. What she discovered is that it will be big and bold.
“A very aggressive, a very bold indicative that would completely private the system, sell off everything,” explained Coulombis. “So that if you're a consumer and you're looking for wine and beer, you'll be able to find it in the supermarket, at convenience stores, at big box stores like Cosco and Target, at restaurants, basically making it as accessible as possible."
She says nothing has been put in writing. The governor and his team are sending strong signals about what is they want.
It was hard Friday to find a consensus among the public.
"It would be good for Pennsylvania,” Lance Jones told us. “It would be great to bring Pennsylvania into the 21st century."
“I think our system works now,” Mark Kraynak stated. “If it's not broken, let's not fix it."
"They've been trying to do that for years. For some people it would be convenient,” David Venturo added. “But think of jobs. It's hard to get a job these days."
When the plan will be put to paper and publicly announced isn't known. There is speculation, however, that it will be before the Governor presents his budget to the General Assembly early next month.