From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
…The House Republican whip, [Mike Turzai] from Bradford Woods, says Pennsylvania should sell licenses for as many as 750 retail stores and 100 wholesale distribution centers for alcoholic beverages, excluding beer, in order to raise at least $2 billion. That would go a long way toward resolving the state’s looming pension crisis, or filling some other funding gaps…
Mr. Turzai’s proposal contains provisions aimed at addressing the opposition — the state Liquor Control Board would retain oversight and enforcement responsibilities for alcohol sales, tax credits would be available to businesses that hire former LCB employees and they would be given a leg up in applying for other state jobs.
Currently, the liquor system pays for itself and funnels $466 million into the state’s General Fund. Mr. Turzai said under his proposal, the new private system would provide a similar amount, which he estimated at $500 million a year…
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