Commentary on State Store Privatization

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement is attributed to Don H. Wert, President PCAP:

Once again the State Store System is under siege. Representative Mike Turzai, House Republican Whip, is pushing the idea that privatizing the Pennsylvania liquor stores would generate not only a one-time $2 billion in revenue, but would also allow for stricter law enforcement. Pennsylvanians Concerned about Alcohol Problems disagrees. If properly managed, the state store system is a good way to regulate alcohol sales. The state store system was originally created to "control" the sales of alcoholic beverages. In recent years the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has, unfortunately, turned this organization into a sales promotion agency rather than a control agency. This can be changed if we once again elect a governor who is concerned about the rampant expansion of alcohol use. Governor Rendell appointed men to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board who have blatantly pushed alcohol sales expansion rather than control it. Right now the PLCB is the biggest drug pusher in Pennsylvania.

Representative Turzai recently explained that House Bill 2350, which calls for privatization, would also allow for the increase in tax revenue from $375 million to $500 million. It sounds like Rep. Turzai is also a drug pusher. Make no mistake about it. ALCOHOL IS A DRUG! It causes all kinds of problems, from drunk driving to domestic violence, underage drinking and binge drinking. Too many people die every year as a  result. Even one life lost is one too many. Furthermore, alcohol sales expansion is a huge detriment to family life.

Here is a question that no one addresses...who is going to pay for all the heartache, and physical damage caused by the expansion of alcohol sales? Guess what? Right now each citizen of Pennsylvania pays to cover the cost of alcohol-related damage through our taxes and higher insurance rates. Do you really want to pay more in taxes to clean up the damage after alcohol sales are privatized and expanded in our state?

Rep. Turzai's proposal, as we understand it, offers three purposes for his legislation as follows: 1. more revenue for the Commonwealth, 2. more convenience for the liquor consumer, 3. increased alcohol safety in Pennsylvania. The priorities of HB2350 also lie in this order. It sounds like stanza two of the same old song we have been hearing...."push more alcohol sales". Pennsylvanians Concerned about Alcohol Problems believes we can do better. We encourage all citizens to contact their state representatives and share your concerns with them.

Don H. Wert

President, PCAP

SOURCE Pennsylvanians Concerned about Alcohol Problems