May. 27, 2020
HARRISBURG – In an effort to end former Gov. Gifford Pinchot’s mandate to make liquor sales “as inconvenient and expensive as possible” by creating the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement supporting legislation introduced by Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) to end Pennsylvania’s antiquated and failing state store system.
"As Speaker, I fully support Rep. Tim O'Neal's
House Bill 2547 to move sales of wine and spirits fully into the private sector. The House has passed elimination of the state stores four times with Gov. Tom Wolf vetoing full privatization encapsulated in House Bill 466 of 2015-16 that I sponsored.
“Consumers want the opportunity to buy wine and spirits in grocery stores or in specialty stores. The state will still tax and regulate the sale of these alcoholic beverages.
“We did ‘box’ the governor into signing legislation in 2016 –
Act 39 of 2016, formerly House Bill 1690– to allow sales of wine and beer in our grocery stores, which has proved responsible, convenient and profitable.
“Rep. O'Neal, as a captain in the United States Army, earned a Bronze Star serving in Afghanistan. He is ideally suited to carry the mantle for full privatization."
Representative Mike Turzai
Speaker of the House
28th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Neal Lesher
717.260.6495 (office) 717.507.9240 (cell)
NLesher@pahousegop.com
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