The House Liquor Control Committee conducted a public hearing on House Bill 1771 which amends the Liquor Code to streamline the process for issuing special occasion permits to eligible entities. Minority Chairman Dante Santoni (D-Berks), prime sponsor of the legislation, described H.B. 1771 as a “starting point.” Committee members heard testimony from the PLCB, the Pennsylvania Restaurants Association and the Pennsylvania Tavern Association regarding their concerns with specific provisions in the bill. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Posted by Jeff | Tags: Liquor Control Code, PLCB, special occasion permits | Category: House Liquor Control, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board CEO Joe Conti responded to questions from the members of the House Appropriations Committee. Topics of discussion included the PLCB’s modernization proposals, the wine kiosk program, Sunday sales, and store operations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: modernization, PLCB, store operations, Sunday sales | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Joe Conti, Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide an overview of the agency’s legislative and other initiatives and to respond to questions from the committee members. Most questions dealt with agency changes in its practices and procedures, privatization, the wine kiosk failure, enforcement issues and needed legislative changes. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Budget, PLCB, privatization | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Saying HB 11 “is a bad deal for the taxpayer and is a bad deal for the customer,” Auditor General Jack Wagner spoke out against the proposal to privatize the PLCB and thereby the state wine and spirits stores. Calling into question anticipated windfall revenues from the initial sale of the stores, Wagner noted other privatization efforts in recent history that have brought in less than anticipated revenues. The press conference was held in advance of the Auditor General testifying at today’s House Liquor Control Committee’s hearing on the privatization measure. The full story will be available later in the Capitol Toolbox. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) held a press conference today where Sen. Browne and Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery) lent their support to Rep. Turzai’s liquor store privatization bill. Sen. Browne said in supporting divestiture, “it is time we make a choice between two mutually exclusive options” and favored privatization due to its ability for job and revenue growth and due to his belief that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is acting like a quasi-private entity already. Sen. Mensch argued for privatization because he believes privatization is the best way to optimize the liquor stores as a capital asset. Check the “Around the Capital” section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. PLCB CEO Joe Conti met with members of the news media today to discuss the end of the PLCB’s contract with Simple Brands, LLC, the company responsible for providing wine kiosks in commonwealth grocery stores in cooperation with the PLCB. Conti indicated the writing on the wall has been around for 45 days and it appears by the terms of the contract that the wine kiosk program has completely ended with Simple Brands as the contractor. He noted Simple has 30 days to remove the kiosks from grocery stores and the PLCB is seeking to recoup expenses of around $1.1 million. He noted the contract dispute will be sent to the Board of Claims and it may take years for there to be a final resolution. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full details. Rep. Turzai held a press conference today to unveil new legislation, HB 11, that would privatize the sale of wine and spirits in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is one of only two states in the country that have complete control over wholesale and retail operations. Under the new legislation, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) would be responsible for regulation, enforcement, and education, not the promotion of alcohol sales. ”We are introducing this because it makes sense,” said Rep. Turzai. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. The House Liquor Control Committee this morning reported as amended two bills to reform PLCB operations. HB 260 allows the PLCB to establish and implement a customer relations marketing program; allows the PLCB to open as many stores as it deems necessary on Sundays and extends the hours for those stores until 9 p.m.; and increases the fines and penalties for most violations by a liquor licensee. HB 1356 allows the PLCB to hire employees outside the Civil Services Act and authorizes the PLCB to purchase all goods and services at its sole discretions. Both bills are initiatives of the PLCB. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: PLCB | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Law and Justice Committee held a continuation of their discussion regarding the PLCB’s legislative priorities, this hearing focusing on flexible markups and the change in the board’s LTMF. PLCB CEO Joe Conti defended current board practices and a flexible markup. Industry stakeholders opposed the change in LTMF. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more details. Posted by Jason | Tags: PLCB | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Law & Justice Committee | Comments are closed | Share:
The members of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board fielded questions from the members of the House Appropriations Committee on a variety of issues including pricing, personnel, procurement, modernization, contracting, privatization, Sunday hours and wine kiosks. Board Chairman P. J. Stapleton and Rep. Douglas Reichley (R-Lehigh) clashed over whether or not the PLCB has been presenting factual information on privatization or advocating opposition to the idea. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: PLCB, pricing, procurement, Wine | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
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