Pennsylvania C-Stores Support Privatization of Liquor Sales

NACS Online
May 3, 2013

Retailers have joined other business groups and political advocates in trying to ensure that their voices are heard on the issue.

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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.