Liquor Store Privatization Update

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Debate began Monday evening on the latest version of a plan to get state government out of the booze business.  Majority Leader Mike Turzai asked, “Why is Pennsylvania so anachronistic? Why is Pennsylvania not willing to focus on its citizens and consumers?” Turzai has been the leading voice on liquor store privatization.

His latest plan would replace the 620 state-run liquor stores with 1,600 private sector wine & spirits licenses.  Pennsylvania’s beer distributors would be given the right of first refusal at a fair market value.  The remaining licenses would be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

But Monday’s House debate was cut off after nearly three hours, and has not resumed since.  Democratic Leader Frank Dermody doesn’t think supporters have the votes.  “I don’t believe they’re there, and we’re working hard to make sure it stays that way,” Dermody explained to Radio PA by phone.  “Even if you’re for privatization, this is a terrible bill.”

While beer distributors would be given first crack at the new licenses under Turzai’s plan, the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania opposes the language.  “Ultimately when you look at this bill, it’s just forcing your local beer distributor out of business to sell-out to a major corporation,” explains Mark Tanczos, president of the MBDA of PA.  Tanczos outlined his position in a letter to the General Assembly.

Governor Tom Corbett can be counted among the high-profile proponents of liquor store privatization.  Corbett recognizes this won’t be the final legislative product, but wants to get the ball rolling nonetheless.  “Let’s get this first step done,” Corbett emphasized to reporters this week.

House debate could resume as early as Monday.

Legislative Redistricting Plan Gets Final Approval

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The Legislative Reapportionment Commission has approved a new final plan for redrawing state house and senate lines; more than four months after the state’s highest court rejected the first plan.  But Senate Democrats are still not happy with the plan.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa voted against it, saying it still had too many unnecessary county splits.  He says multiple splits were added for pure partisan advantage.  He called the map a total disappointment and says it’s another gerrymandered map.

Senate Republican Leader Dominic Pileggi said they eliminated many splits from the earlier plan. He adds his caucus did agree on a number of changes requested by Democrats.

The new plan moves the Pittsburgh-area seat of recently resigned Republican Senator Jane Orie to a growing area in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The plan also moves five house seats, but both caucus leaders voted in favor of it.  Democrat Frank Dermody said it meets the constitutional requirements.   Seats  will move from Philadelphia to York, from Lackawanna/Luzerne to Monroe, from Pittsburgh to Allentown, from Clearfield County to Chester County and from Crawford/Erie to Berks.

The new maps would not take effect until the 2014 election cycle.

RadioPA Roundtable

Radio PA Roundtable 06.08.12

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Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week. Professionally produced and delivered every Friday, Roundtable includes commercial breaks for local sale and quarterly reports for affiliate files.

Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:

[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable06-08-12.mp3]

Jury Selection Completed in Sandusky Case

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A jury is in place for the child sex abuse trial of Jerry Sandusky, with the case set to begin next week.    It took a little less than two days to pick a panel to hear the charges against the former Penn State assistant football coach.

The panel of 12 jurors and 4 alternates was picked from a group of about 80 questioned by the attorneys and Judge John Cleland.   The main jury consists of 7 women and 5 men.  Many of the jurors have ties to Penn State University.

Opening statements by prosecutors and Sandusky’s defense lawyers are scheduled to begin on Monday morning.  The judge turned down another request for a continuance during jury selection.