Leslie Altieri, who is Marcia Hahn's Democratic opponent for the state house, has blasted a bill to privatize Pennsylvania's state stores as "crony capitalism.” This will be debated on the House floor today.Noting that state stores provide a steady revenue stream of $500 million per year, Altieri questions what will happen if they are privatized. "What will we do then? How will Corbett and his cronies make up for the revenue shortfall that we’ll be left with?”
According to Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who is spearheading the privatization drive, the state would realize a $1 billion windfall.
In addition to complaining that big box retailers like Wal-Mart will buy all the licenses, Altieri notes that 5,000 state store workers will lose their jobs, too.
Those are union jobs.
I have contacted State Rep. Marcia Hahn for her position on this issue.
Numerous factions are involved in this debate, from unions to beer distributors to bars to grocery stores. So even if this passes the state house, I think it is highly unlikely it will make it through the state senate.
12 comments:
Marcia's position will be whatever Turzai tells her it is. Just like her mentor the judge.
-Clem
Marcia's position is ..... uh...uh...uh...duuuhhh....duuuhhh.....uh.....
Vote out all Repo's: Hahn, Emrick, Simmons!
It's in the state's best interest to overpay retail clerks who wear stained, short-sleeve dress shirts and cotton ties from the Nixon era. They don't know Chardonnay from Shinola and we use these stores as another union jobs program. Enough. It's every clerk's (public and private) to check IDs. We pay an entire bureau (PALCB) to insure compliance. It's time to be treated like adults and get rid of the outdated and wasteful system.
great accompanying photo
Ok, well I think it is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous that taxpayers have to pay for UNION workers to be cashiers...like at 7-11!!! My question is how do so many other states manage to maintain finances when you can buy liquor at WalMart? Is it really about jobs lost or the fact that the taxpayers are FORCED to overpay cashiers and their unions. Plus, the people that work at most of those places are some of the nastiest people ever!!
Given my inability to consume alcohol, I do not visit state stores too often. I have heard what you say, but the last time I visited one to buy wine for a friend, the worker was very helpful.
I do think the 24% Johnston flood tax is a tad ridiculous. But getting rid of that would deplete state revenues big time.
I would favor keeping the system as is. Alcohol is the most addictive drug that exists, and it just seems right to me that the state should have a lot of control over it. Plus, if medical marijuana ever becomes legal, it can be dispensed thru that infrastructure.
Bernie,
I agree with you, I've never heard anyone complain about paying the State Store price for a bottle of wine or Liquor.
This is a solution looking for a problem!
Keep the present system.
Rep. Simmons is in favor of eliminating State Store employees and a living wage. WHY?
What are Altieri's chances against Hahn? Hahn is a freshman Republican and there is an anti-incumbant attitude among the voters. Simmons is in the same boat. Freshman republican against a good opponent. Who has a better chance in November?
Any Agency that Pays for itself, and contributes 500 million a year to the State General Fund should recieve an AWARD!
Only In America would a politician try to destroy a well run operation!
In that District you need a good rock solid local name to win as a Republican. Alteri isn't one of them.
There are a few strong names from that area but most are Republicans.
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