Rep. Mustio: Uncorking the Pros of Liquor Privatization

One of the most common myths put forth by liquor privatization opponents is the potential for reduced public safety, increased social problems and elevated crime such as rampant alcoholism, binge drinking, underage drinking, and more alcohol-related deaths and injuries across the board.

This week’s Headline Harrisburg report “uncorks” just some of the public protection aspects of liquor privatization that await Pennsylvanians under House Bill 790.

Of course, government must concentrate on vigorously regulating the distribution of alcohol and cracking down on those who misuse it, especially minors and those who drink and drive.

Contrary to the misinformed prohibitionist opinion, a number of states with completely privatized alcohol sales consistently report fewer instances of DUI, underage drinking and alcohol diseases than Pennsylvania. In fact, of the four states scoring the best in MADD’s national rankings, three have completely private systems and one is semi-private.

Pennsylvania, the strictest of the 50 states, continues to lag behind in all of these ratings—further reaffirming that improved enforcement and education will serve us better than merely clinging to our antiquated state-store system.

Now awaiting consideration in the state Senate, my common sense, amended version of House Bill 790 was specifically drafted by the members of the House Liquor Control Committee with many of Pennsylvania’s predominantly conservative views on alcohol sales in mind, including: 

• Retaining tight regulatory control. 
• Strengthening law enforcement.
• Clamping down on underage drinking. 
• Promoting education.  
• Respecting current state store employees.

Going several steps further with regard to public protection, the following amendments were also approved by the House during final debate of House Bill 790: 

• To ensure age compliance (that minors are not purchasing wine), people purchasing wine in grocery stores with restaurant licenses would not be able to use the self-checkout lanes (A00533).  
• Grocery store licensees may sell no more than one case (12 bottles) of wine per transaction (A00530).
• Distributors may accept credit cards but are not required to do so (as was the case in the original bill) (A00534). 
• A restaurant licensee with an interior connection to an unlicensed business (such as a grocery store, department store, or convenience store), is prohibited from obtaining a wine-to-go permit (A00526).

I will continue to highlight the many benefits liquor privatization holds for Pennsylvania in the coming weeks.

Do you agree with state Rep. Mustio? Tell us why or why not in the comments section below.

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