Pa. Legislature Wraps Up With No Action On Liquor Store Privatization

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania lawmakers have wrapped up another two-year session without action on privatizing liquor sales. That may not bode well for supporters of the idea.

Allegheny County Republican Mike Turzai, the state House majority leader, is the legislature's main backer of liquor privatization. He brushes off the idea that the latest wave of support for the proposal has peaked.

"We've completely changed the dynamics and the framework within which people view it."

Turzai claims that supporters of the idea have completely changed the conversation.

"Many people all across the state, in significant numbers, ask, 'Why can't you guys can't get this privatized like every other state around Pennsylvania?' And I think that the momentum will build."

But Franklin and Marshall College political analyst Terry Madonna says after failing to get it done over two years with large Republican majorities in the legislature, it's hard to see momentum gaining in the next session.

"I think the forces arrayed against it over the last three decades still remained immovable and very difficult for the proponents of privatization to overcome."

Turzai, meanwhile, says the governor will have to come forward with his privatization plan if the issue is to get traction in the next session.