Key Lawmaker: Pa. Closer Than Ever To Liquor Reform Deal

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) -- A proposal to reform liquor sales is just one of the many details that lawmakers and Governor Wolf must work out before a tentative budget agreement can be finalized and put up for a vote. A key lawmaker says deal on liquor has never been closer.

The House Liquor Control Committee Monday, voting along party lines, approved a liquor reform bill very similar to legislation vetoed by Governor Wolf earlier this year. But the chairman of the committee, Chester County Republican Chris Ross, acknowledged that the bill his committee passed Monday is primarily a measure into which language agreed upon by the governor and legislative leaders can be amended into later.

"It is a very difficult process. We have some challenging issues that we still yet need to settle. But I am optimistic that we are going to get there. We are really far closer to a settlement on this subject than we have ever been in the past."

But it remains to be seen if the liquor reform deal will include phasing out state stores as its prime backer, House Speaker Mike Turzai, has advocated.