A hearing on legislation that would privatize Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor system drew heated discussion, state Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) said.
Mihalek’s legislation calls for a constitutional amendment to privatize liquor sales, saying it would allow consumers to have a say in how liquor is sold in the state. In 2016, the General Assembly passed legislation to privatize the sale of wine and spirits that was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf. If the General Assembly passes a constitutional amendment, the question on privatization would be passed to the voters, Mihalek said.
“I introduced this legislation because it is time to bring our liquor laws into the current century,” Mihalek said. “The pandemic proved that it was far past time to get government out of liquor sales. When the world stopped in March 2020, consumers were quite frustrated that the drinks they looked forward to after a hard day were being rationed.”
During a hearing on the legislation, testimony from the United Food and Commercial Workers 1776 President Wendell Young was heard, as well as testimony from Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chairman Tim Holden and board members Mike Negra and Mary Isenhour; Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President and Head of State Public Policy Dave Wojnar; American Distilled Spirits Alliance CEO Matt Dogali; Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association President and CEO Alex Baloga; Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Director of Government Affairs Zak Pyzik; and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr.
“The hearing today only confirmed that this legislation is the right move for the Commonwealth,” Mihalek continued. “While we heard testimony from groups for and against this legislation, the majority agreed that our state should join the 48 other states that do not allow a government monopoly on the sale of liquor.”
The proposed legislation would need to pass in identical form twice in two consecutive legislative sessions before being placed on the ballot for voter approval.