THE FREE BEACON- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) is looking to break up the state’s Prohibition-era monopoly of state liquor sales in the face of mounting union opposition.
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Under the current regime, liquor and wine can only be sold in government controlled stores, meaning “a person can’t leave the grocery store with a bottle of wine to have at dinner,” according to Corbett spokesman Eric Shirk.
Ending the government monopoly has polled well in the past, but has proved nearly impossible thanks to interest groups that profit from it.
“People want to have better choice and convenience,” Shirk said. “There is also the conflict of interest inherent in the government controlling liquor sales: we’re the people telling you to drink safely, but we’re also advertising and selling you the stuff.”
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 (UFCW) represents about 70 percent of the state’s 5,000 liquor store employees, who earn nearly $40,000 on average to stock liquor bottles and operate the cash register.
