Pa. lawmaker presents liquor store measure

Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa.

Pennsylvania would collect a massive one-time windfall and provide better customer service by selling off wine and liquor stores and doubling the number of retail outlets, a senior Republican in the state House of Representatives said Wednesday.

Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, wants to eliminate the 18 percent Johnstown Flood tax and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s 30 percent markup, instead imposing a per-gallon tax like those in 26 states for liquor and 35 states for wine.

Turzai’s office provided a fact sheet on his legislation, expected to be introduced formally in the next week, saying it would lead to the auctioning of 1,250 retail licenses — 750 for larger outlets and 500 for smaller businesses, typically independently owned. There are about 620 state-owned stores in Pennsylvania.