Jun. 08, 2022
HARRISBURG– Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford), chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, announced his committee moved a constitutional amendment aiming to privatize the sale of liquor in Pennsylvania.
“In Pennsylvania the government is both the seller and the regulator of alcohol—this is an obvious conflict of interest. Only Pennsylvania and Utah practice full government control of the system and that system is broken. It is time to move forward, and this bill gives the voters the opportunity to make that happen,” said Metzgar. “Consumers should not have to suffer high prices and poor availability because the government is doing what private enterprise would do better.”
In 2016, the General Assembly passed historic legislation to privatize the sale of wine and spirits, but ultimately, it was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf. If legislation proposing the constitutional amendment passes, the question on whether liquor should be privatized could then be voted upon by Pennsylvanians.
“I would like to thank Rep. Natalie Mihalek for her hard work in leading the charge on this critical issue, as well as the committee members for doing the right thing in advancing this measure” said Metzgar. “I am honored to be a co-sponsor of this legislation because it gives the people more say over how they want the government to operate.”
In order to implement the proposed constitutional amendment, it will need to be passed in identical form in two consecutive legislative sessions. It would then be placed on the ballot for voters. If it is adopted, the amendment would take effect in 18 months.
To view Rep. Metzgar’s remarks, click the link below:
House Bill 2272 heads to the full House for consideration.
Representative Carl Walker Metzgar
69th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717.260.6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
RepMetzgar.com/ Facebook.com/RepMetzgar
