Gov. Wolf Vetoes Bill That Would Privatize Pa. Liquor Sales

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — As expected, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf today vetoed legislation that would have dismantled the state’s liquor store system and would have privatized liquor sales throughout the commonwealth.

The Democratic governor, after vetoing the entire state budget Tuesday night that had been passed by the GOP-controlled legislature, pulled out his veto pen again to nix the liquor bill.

Privatization is a top priority for leaders of the Republican-controlled House. The question now is, how might the liquor veto affect budget negotiations?

“[We’re] not necessarily going to be happy,” said Steve Miskin, a spokesman for the House majority leader, “but we’re obviously still going to move forward and talk.  We want to get a budget signed.”

Miskin says, however, that liquor privatization will still be an issue at budget talks, which are expected to resume this coming Monday.

Still on the governor’s desk is another bill he dislikes, a measure that would put future state and school employees in a 401K-style retirement plan rather than in the state pension plan.