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New LCB Chairman Says Pennsylvania Is Ready For Privatization

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The new chairman of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board says he personally supports examining the elimination of a key function of the agency: running state-owned liquor stores.

Joseph "Skip" Brion, former chairman of the Chester County Republican Committee, was sworn in as the newest member of the Liquor Control Board Tuesday and immediately appointed by Governor Corbett as chairman of the panel. The ceremony was conducted by Lt. Governor Jim Cawley.

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Joseph "Skip" Brion (credit: KYW's Tony Romeo)

"As we all know, there are some challenges facing the Liquor Control Board in the future."

The Lt. Governor appeared to be alluding to the push to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania, something the new LCB chairman says he's open to.

"I personally believe – and I'm not speaking for the LCB – I personally believe that privatization is something at this point in time that probably the citizens of the commonwealth are ready for."

Brion says he stands ready to play his part in making the transition to private liquor sales if the legislature and governor decide to do that… in the meantime, he says he'll continue efforts to modernize the LCB.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060

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