HARRISBURG, Pa. – Convenience
stores are among the groups vying for lawmakers’ attention on the issue of
privatizing liquor sales in Pennsylvania, Tribune Live reports. This week, the
Senate Law and Justice Committee had its first hearing on the issue, with two
more scheduled in the coming weeks.
Many of the groups are in
favor of changing the state law concerning alcoholic sales. Commonwealth
Foundation launched boozefacts.com to promote its research into privatization.
“We are running a 50-senator
strategy,” said Kevin Shivers, state director of the National Federation of
Independent Businesses, which supports privatization. “We are not leaving any
vote to chance in the state Senate.”
Stan Sheetz, president of
Sheetz, said he started “Free My Beer”
to provide consumers who want to buy beer at their local convenience store a
voice. Under the bill already passed by the House, convenience stores and gas
stations would be able to stock beer.
On the other side are
groups like the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania, which
does not favor the governor’s privatization plan. Law enforcement officials
have expressed their concern that more police would be needed if the state gets
out of the liquor business.