Committee Votes to Privatize Liquor Sales in Pennsylvania, Says Simmons
HARRISBURG – Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today joined a majority of his colleagues on the House Liquor Control Committee in supporting legislation that would privatize wholesale and retail wine and spirits sales in Pennsylvania. The committee vote was 15-10, along party lines. House Bill 466 now heads to the full House of Representatives for consideration, with a vote expected later this week.
“The time has come to dispose of a relic of the past known as the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and move Pennsylvania into the 21st century,” said Simmons. “Our constituents are being punished by this antiquated system, which was created in 1933 with the goal of making liquor sales as inconvenient and expensive as possible. Not much has changed since then. All the vast majority of state residents want is more freedom in purchasing a perfectly legal product, like they have in 48 other states.”
Among other things, House Bill 466 would create 1,200 wine and spirits retail licenses that would be available to existing beer distributors. It would also create a grocery store liquor license that would allow the holder to sell up to 12 bottles of wine in a single transaction.
Simmons is a co-sponsor of the measure, which is similar to legislation that was passed by the House in 2013. But the Senate failed to take action before the end of the 2013-14 session.
“We need to remember that this is just the beginning of the legislative process,” added Simmons. “The Senate will be considering changes to the bill from all interested parties so we can get to a final product that satisfies everyone.”
For more information on Simmons and his legislative priorities, please visit
www.RepSimmons.com or
www.Facebook.com/RepSimmons.
Representative Justin Simmons
131st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
abriggs@pahousegop.com