By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The State House dominated the headlines this past week by passing a bill to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania (see related story). But it will be weeks, at least, before the Senate tackles the issue.

First off, lawmakers do not return to the capital until April 8th. And while Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader, says that he expects hearings will be held within 30 to 60 days, he cautions that while the House has been preoccupied with liquor privatization for more than two years, there has not been a lot of active discussion about it in the Senate.

“I would remind you that we still have transportation funding and pension reform which many people consider to be as important, if not more important, than how we sell liquor in Pennsylvania,” Pileggi said.

Meanwhile, Pileggi questions whether the language in the liquor bill passed by the House will ever actually result in the complete elimination of state stores in Pennsylvania.