Speculation Surrounds Liquor Reform In Harrisburg
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Word this past week that liquor privatization talks are heating up again in the state capitol prompts the question: if a deal on legislation is reached, what might it look like?
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, an Allegheny County Republican, wants to end the state store system. But given resistance in the legislature, it seems unlikely that any liquor reform bill will mandate that decisively and completely.
Turzai seems unconcerned, saying, again, that he believes just about any legislation that opens the door to more opportunity for private sector alcohol sales will set irreversible forces in motion:
"Ultimately, we'll be out of the system. And most people believe that. Really, everybody at the table, over time, understands that once you start, the system is going to come to an end because it's so antiquated."
A spokesman for the Senate Republican leader confirms that there are ongoing discussions about making "significant improvements to how alcohol is sold in Pennsylvania" with the goal of sending a bill to the governor early this year.