User:TraficantiZ/sandbox

The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has some of the strictest laws regarding the buying and selling of liquor in the United States. Spirits are permitted to be sold exclusively in state-owned Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores. Wine is also sold at Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores but is available at other outlets, such as wineries, restaurants and authorized retailers.

State-regulated liquor sales stem back to the Prohibition era. The commonwealth has controlled a monopoly over the sale of spirits since the repeal of Prohibition. State control of the sale of liquor can be largely credited to Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. Governor Pinchot disagreed with the repeal of the 18th amendment. He saw drinking as the root of political corruption and thought it was the duty of the government to be the safeguard of public morality. Hence, Governor Pinchot oversaw the creation of a system in which the state profited from the sale of liquor while keeping tight control of the distribution and use of it.

The privatization of liquor sales has continued to be a pressing issue in Pennsylvania politics. Those in favor of privatizing cite selection and convenience as two benefits. Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores are often criticized for a lack of variety and limited store hours. Politicians supporting privatization claim that the government should not be in the business of selling liquor. Pennsylvania House majority leader Mike Turzai is quoted as saying the state-controlled sale of liquor is an "inherent conflict of interest when an institution in charge of law enforcement makes money by pushing alcohol sales". Opponents of privatizations cite the loss of some 4,000 state jobs, along with their benefits and pensions. A bill proposed by Turzai in 2011 would give private sellers tax credits for hiring former state employees. Opponents argue they would take pay cuts and lesser benefits. Anti-alcohol watchdog groups also have taken a stance against privatization, citing less education and programs preventing drunk driving.