Legislator Wants Corbett To Put On ‘Full-Court Press’ For Liquor Privatization

By Andrew Staub | PA Independent

Gov. Tom Corbett already spent much of his summer traveling across Pennsylvania to stump for pension reform, but House Majority Leader Mike Turzai wants him to get back on the road again, this time to put on a “full-court press” for liquor privatization.

“If he wants to show that he has made real reform and has made tangible change, we think he ought to be front and center on liquor privatization,’ said Turzai, R-Allegheny.

Turzai made the comments in his Capitol office, where a nearby clock ticked away the seconds of the day. It was a subtle reminder that perhaps time is running out for one of Turzai — and Corbett’s – top legislative priorities.

Up for re-election this November, Corbett is trailing badly in the polls, and his Democratic challenger, York County businessman Tom Wolf, opposes liquor privatization.

But the historic privatization plan the House passed in 2013 still has another hurdle to clear before it can reach the governor’s desk. The state Senate hasn’t embraced the lower chamber’s proposal to phase out the 600 state-owned liquor stores, instead focusing on a more modest plan to modernize alcohol sales in Pennsylvania.

Turzai wants Corbett to hold a press event asking the Senate to take action, but he sidestepped the question of how the governor’s involvement might make a difference, given that the privatization legislation has stalled for 18 months.

“We know that the governor wants it, and we think he ought to take it to the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Turzai said.

Lawmakers return from their summer break next week. Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester, said discussions are ongoing to find a liquor reform plan that can pass both the Senate and the House and earn the governor’s signature.

Corbett used his February budget address to call for 2014 to be the “last call” for state-controlled alcohol, and Jay Pagni, his press secretary, said the governor has “repeatedly” spoke publicly about his support of liquor privatization.

“There are concerns that reside in the Senate, but the governor has worked with leadership in the Senate to address those concerns and will continue to do so,” Pagni said, adding that Corbett “will continue to show public support — very public support — for liquor privatization.”

By now, the debate over Pennsylvania’s archaic, Prohibition-era liquor laws feels just as well-worn. Specials interests from the union representing state store employees to beer retailers to grocers have already staked their positions. State Sen. Scott Wagner, R-York, has said the glut of special interests has led to a “Mexican standoff.”

So, at the moment, Pennsylvanians still have to buy their six-packs two at a time, must visit several stores to supply their home bar and — under the law — are technically bootlegging if they buy their booze out of state and bring it back.

Turzai believes the whole system needs changed, and he still believes it could happen even in the limited session days left this fall. He’s hoping Corbett gets back on the trail to help, too.

“The session’s not done,” Turzai said. “We still have two productive months in front of us.”

Andrew Staub is a reporter for PA Independent and can be reached at Andrew@PAIndependent.com. Follow @PAIndependent on Twitter for more.