Sen. Pat Browne, a Republican, endorsed the plan, which has been pursued by state House Republicans and Gov. Tom Corbett, according to the news service. The proposal would privatize the retail operations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Last year, the state earned almost $500 million from sales at the board's liquor stores. House Republicans have proposed selling the 625 locations statewide and revamping the state's liquor licensing and alcohol tax systems to make up for that loss and eventually increase revenue, Statehouse News Online reports. A report from an independent group is forthcoming, which will detail the potential revenue projections.
"If you're going to function like a private retailer, you might as well be one," Browne told the news service. "It is time for the commonwealth to divest of its operations into the private sector. It no longer serves a legitimate public function."
Unions have opposed the plan, saying 3,500 state workers would lose their jobs if the retail locations were given to private companies.
