Pa. Lawmaker Wants To Make State Stores More Consumer-Friendly

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Despite the push to sell off state liquor stores, a key state senator is indicating he'll press ahead with consideration of proposed changes to make those liquor stores more consumer friendly.

Republican John Pippy, Chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee that vets alcohol sale legislation, says privatizing liquor stores in Pennsylvania this year would be "ambitious." So Pippy last week held a hearing during which the committee heard from the Liquor Control Board's CEO about ways to streamline operations.

"There are a lot of issues that we deal with that are on parallel tracks" Pippy said. "The House has taken the lead, and so we're waiting to see what they do on the privatization side. Regardless of that, some of these issues I think we need to deal with whether it deals with beer being treated equally as wine and spirits or some of the other items as far as convenience to the consumer."

Among those convenience issues that may be addressed would be giving state stores more flexibility in pricing items and allowing Pennsylvania residents to have wine shipped directly to their homes.

Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060