Credit: PA Archives
After seven hours of debate on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 790 that will privatize the sale of hard liquor and wine in Pennsylvania.
The vote, 105 -90 came after a long day of heated debate on the house floor.
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The measure, calls for the gradual phasing out-of-state owned liquor stores, and the sale of licenses to the private sector.
Beer distributors will have first shot at the 1200 licenses auctioned off by the state.
Governor Corbett on Twitter said, “Today we made history.”
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This is the first time that any chamber of the legislature has passed a liquor privatization bill.
Throughout the floor debate opponents of the bill, mostly Democrats, pointed out increasing the availability of alcohol to the public would have consequences in terms of alcohol related offenses and a jump in the alcoholism rate in Pennsylvania. Moreover, concern about what will happen to the 4,500 employees who work in the state stores was also highlighted.
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Locally, Rep John Galloway (D -140) voted against and Rep. Tina Davis (D-141) did not vote.
Attempts to contact both have been unsuccessful. The bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration.
