Bill Allowing Wine Sales In Grocery Stores Sent To Gov. Wolf
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — The Pennsylvania House has sent Governor Wolf a bill that would relax Pennsylvania liquor laws, a measure that would allow for the sale of wine by the bottle in grocery stores.
Governor Wolf says he supports modernizing liquor laws but will conduct a final review of the bill when it reaches his desk.
The bill allows grocery stores, restaurants and hotels to have liquor licenses that allow for the sale of wine by the bottle. The bill does not, however, provide for closing of state stores.
"Right now, we've modernized while preserving 4,000/5,000 jobs in the Commonwealth," said Frank Dermody, an Allegheny County Democrat and state House minority leader.
Allegheny County Republican Mike Turzai, the House speaker and a staunch supporter of abolishing state stores, calls the measure sent to the governor a significant first step toward full privatization of liquor sales.
"By providing private sales of wine, the consumers are going to increase demand for more convenience as we move forward. That's how it's going to work," he said.
The bill would also allow for direct wine shipments to consumers and would allow state stores to be open on holidays and more of them to be open on Sundays.
