ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett wants the state out of the liquor business.
This afternoon the Governor outlined a plan he says will generate more than $1 billion for Pennsylvania schools.
The plan calls for the state to shut down the more than 600 state owned liquor stores, effecting more than 4,500 sate employees. Corbett plans to then auction off 1,200 liquor licenses. The plan would also allow supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores to purchase licenses to sell wine and beer.
Some local beer distributors are concerned the new plan could mean trouble for them.
Debbie Burgan has been running the Beer Barn in Duncansville for 23 years, but she worries Governor Corbett's proposal to expand beer and wine sales could put her out of business.
"It could, I think definitely because I'm a smaller distributor," Beer Barn Owner Debbir Burgan says.
Burgan says allowing grocery stores and gas stations to sell beer would be crippling, unless she's able to make changes too.
"We are not allowed to sell like grocery stores sell. The liquor board did give us some breaks last year but nothing we can't compete with the stores so naturally we're going to lose out.," Burgan says.
Governor Corbett's plan calls for the state to shut-down all of the state owned liquor stores, and auction off liquor licenses throughout the state.
He says it's time for Pennsylvania to join 48 other states.
"If we are to gain the advantages of consumer choice and consumer convenience we should not do it halfway. I want a system that gives Pennsylvanians the same convenience that virtually every other American has today." Governor Corbett says.
Right now shopping for groceries, wine and beer means three separate stops, but Corbett's plan would mean one-stop shopping for consumers.
"Society in general is mature enough to be able to deal with those things, and what's the difference between having a liquor store on the corner or being able to pick up at the grocery store?" Altoona Resident Alan Miller says.
Corbett says his plan shouldn't mean the end for beer distributors. He says they will be the only ones in the state allowed to sell the "Liquor Trifecta" of beer, wine and hard liquor.
Corbett did not specify how many of the 4,500 state jobs would be lost, but he did say he would offer tax credits to private companies who hired former state employees.
This afternoon the Governor outlined a plan he says will generate more than $1 billion for Pennsylvania schools.
The plan calls for the state to shut down the more than 600 state owned liquor stores, effecting more than 4,500 sate employees. Corbett plans to then auction off 1,200 liquor licenses. The plan would also allow supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores to purchase licenses to sell wine and beer.
Some local beer distributors are concerned the new plan could mean trouble for them.
Debbie Burgan has been running the Beer Barn in Duncansville for 23 years, but she worries Governor Corbett's proposal to expand beer and wine sales could put her out of business.
"It could, I think definitely because I'm a smaller distributor," Beer Barn Owner Debbir Burgan says.
Burgan says allowing grocery stores and gas stations to sell beer would be crippling, unless she's able to make changes too.
"We are not allowed to sell like grocery stores sell. The liquor board did give us some breaks last year but nothing we can't compete with the stores so naturally we're going to lose out.," Burgan says.
Governor Corbett's plan calls for the state to shut-down all of the state owned liquor stores, and auction off liquor licenses throughout the state.
He says it's time for Pennsylvania to join 48 other states.
"If we are to gain the advantages of consumer choice and consumer convenience we should not do it halfway. I want a system that gives Pennsylvanians the same convenience that virtually every other American has today." Governor Corbett says.
Right now shopping for groceries, wine and beer means three separate stops, but Corbett's plan would mean one-stop shopping for consumers.
"Society in general is mature enough to be able to deal with those things, and what's the difference between having a liquor store on the corner or being able to pick up at the grocery store?" Altoona Resident Alan Miller says.
Corbett says his plan shouldn't mean the end for beer distributors. He says they will be the only ones in the state allowed to sell the "Liquor Trifecta" of beer, wine and hard liquor.
Corbett did not specify how many of the 4,500 state jobs would be lost, but he did say he would offer tax credits to private companies who hired former state employees.
