PA Chamber Applauds Gov. for Signing Historic Liquor Reform Bill

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

Last week, the House passed historic liquor reform legislation that Gov. Tom Wolf publicly signed on Wednesday, June 8. On Tuesday, the House voted 157-31 on concurrence in favor of H.B. 1690, which provides for the private sector sale of wine in grocery stores with a restaurant license; allows takeout wine sales in licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis; and lets about 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses to sell up to four bottles of wine; among other improvements to the current state store system.

The new law makes no changes to the current sale of liquor and does not close any state stores.   Governor Wolf issued a statement calling the bipartisan effort “the most significant step the commonwealth has taken to reform our liquor system in 80 years.” For its part, the PA Chamber has long advocated moving Pennsylvania’s antiquated liquor sales system into the 21st century to give consumers the convenience and choice they overwhelmingly want; and make the state competitive in alcohol sales, in order to keep critical sales revenue in the Commonwealth’s borders each year.

Following the governor’s action, PA Chamber President Gene Barr released a statement thanking elected officials for enacting the popular reform legislation and allowing the private sector to responsibly sell wine. “We applaud the governor for signing this important reform legislation into law – which will help keep revenue within our borders and will expand private sector opportunities to responsibly sell alcohol and compete on equal ground with neighboring states,” Barr said. “This effort – which had bipartisan support – shows how the spirit of compromise can bring about positive change in Pennsylvania.”