State Lawmakers Vote To Expand Wine Sales
HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA/AP) -- A bill to let groceries and other outlets sell wine and to make other changes to Pennsylvania's highly controlled system of alcohol sales is on its way to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
Convenience is a major selling point to the consumer, especially a consumer in need of wine after a long day on the job.
"I like my wine. I like a little taste. A little wine down after I get off of work," Charona Thornton, of the North Side, said.
Thornton hopes to see wine on the shelves come Turkey Day.
"I work a lot for one, and then with Wine and Spirits, they close early. I don't get off until 9 o'clock and I can always shoot to the grocery store and pick up me a bottle," Thornton said.
The house voted 157 to 31 Tuesday for a proposal that would let some 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses sell up to four bottles of wine to each customer.
"I am concerned about the employees at the Wine and Spirits store. A lot of those folks have been on the job for many, many years and I think they deserve some consideration as well," Frank Seanez, of Ross Township, said.
"It saves the jobs we have at Wine and Spirits stores because all the wine still has to continue to be purchased from our Wine and Spirit stores," Rep. Paul Costa, D- Allegheny County, Chairman of House Liquor Control Committee, said.
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Hours at Wine and Spirits stores would also be more flexible.
"It's going to make no more restrictions on hours and open up more for holidays and Sundays, even in state stores," State Rep. Pam Snyder, D- Greene/Fayette/Washington, said.
"This would be easier. I'm here more. I might even buy more wine," Ann Weaver, of the North Side, said.
"I think what we did today, we modernized the liquor system in the state of Pennsylvania, and that's been a long time coming," Snyder said.
If Gov. Wolf signs this bill into law in the next few days, Pennsylvanians will likely see wine in grocery stores, select restaurants and hotels by Thanksgiving.
Gov. Wolf released the following statement about the bill:
"Today the House concurred with the Senate on historic liquor modernization legislation that provides greater customer convenience to the people of Pennsylvania. As I have always said, my goal is to modernize the sale of liquor and beer in Pennsylvania to ensure convenience and satisfaction for customers. Once the bill reaches my desk, I will conduct a final review of the legislation to ensure it meets my goals of enhancing the customer experience, increasing much-needed revenue to help balance our budget, and bringing our wine and spirits system into the 21st century."
The liquor law changes are estimated to generate about $150 million in new state revenue.
That could be a big help in resolving the latest state budget battle in Harrisburg.
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