Wolf Vetoes Liquor Independence

Refuses to Separate Booze and State

Governor Wolf today vetoed legislation to finally end Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era, government-run monopoly of wine and spirits.

“Governor Wolf had the opportunity to enact historic liquor privatization that would have freed Pennsylvanians from a scandal-ridden relic of Prohibition,” said Nathan Benefield, vice president of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation. “Though a majority of voters—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—want to end the government liquor monopoly, Wolf says it’s his way or the highway. Just as Pennsylvanians prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence, Wolf opted to keep consumers bound by a government system that offers less convenience, fewer choices, and higher prices.”

“While Wolf has called for so-called ‘modernization,’ his plan gives even more power to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and imposes higher prices on consumers. This is why Pennsylvanians across the state and across the aisle support privatization.  

“Gov. Wolf may claim the banner of ‘modernization,’ but his veto proves he’d rather hold onto specters of the past than move Pennsylvania forward.”

Benefield and other Commonwealth Foundation experts are available for comment today. Please contact John Bouder at 717-671-1901 or jrb@commonwealthfoundation.org to schedule an interview.

Best,

John Bouder
Senior Communications Officer
Commonwealth Foundation
717-671-1901
jrb@commonwealthfoundation.org