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Testifiers Urge Panel to Consider Social Harms of Privatization

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A litany of testifiers foreshadowed the potential unintended consequences of liquor privatization during the first of three hearings to be held before the Senate Law & Justice Committee.  “We cannot look at expansion without first exploring how increased alcohol use may affect citizens of our state,” committee Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks) explained at the onset. 

While McIlhinney says he wants to ensure ‘smart privatization,’ most testifiers on Tuesday seemed to think the smart move would be to retain state control of retail liquor and wine sales.  “What is the problem we’re trying to solve here?” asked Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of PA president Deb Beck.  “We’re lowest on deaths and number two on revenue produced.  What’s the problem?”  Beck’s written testimony included a long list of sources for the numbers she pointed out to the committee. 

But by the start of the 9:30am capitol hearing many in the room had already received an open letter from the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association that questioned the slanted lineup of testifiers, and pointed to other statistics that show Pennsylvania performing worse than privatized states. 

When questioned by one committee member, Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge president Les Neri noted that everyone can find a study that justifies their position, but he can speak from experience.  “I’m telling you as a street cop, the guy who’s done the job for 38-years, that the increase in licenses and outlets for alcohol will increase crime.  I just can’t tell you by what statistic.” Neri explained. 

While the FOP opposes the liquor privatization bill that passed the House (HB 790), others on the law enforcement panel did not take a position; they merely pointed to the need for additional resources for manpower and investigations should lawmakers vote to privatize. 

The hearing concluded with a handful of middle and high school students from the Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth, who asked the panel to prevent privatization in order to protect Pennsylvania’s future.

Despite the onslaught of criticism his privatization plan received, Governor Tom Corbett released a statement thanking the committee for the hearing and asserting that public safety must be the number one focus of state government.  “The Senate took a first step in bringing Pennsylvania consumers choice and convenience,” Corbett said in the statement.  While the House amended his original plan, Corbett’s been taking a lead role in this year’s privatization debate. 

A second hearing is planned for May 14th and Sen. McIlhinney says a third will be scheduled for early June.  He says all sides of the issue will be heard.

Remembering Fallen Officers from 9/11

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An honor guard stood watch over 72 American flags that had been placed in front of the Fraternal Order of Police state lodge.  That’s one flag for every police officer who died in the line of duty on September 11th, 2001.  “9/11 was the deadliest day in law enforcement history, but it was also a day in which innumerable law enforcement officers showed unparalleled courage and bravery,” president of the PA FOP Les Neri said at a Wednesday remembrance ceremony.

State and local police from throughout the state gathered to remember the actions of the heroic police officers who assisted in the rescue efforts in New York, Washington and Somerset County PA.  Neri says all were fully aware of the risk they were taking, but they went anyway.  “This was not the first time they risked their lives, but unfortunately for 72-heroic officers it was their last.”

Neri says the memorial of 72 American flags at the PA FOP headquarters is a small tribute to honor the memory of those officers.  He hopes it can serve as a reminder that Pennsylvania can never forget the actions and sacrifice made by those 72 officers at a time when the nation needed them the most.

Among the officials attending Wednesday’s ceremony was Corporal Ronald Zona with Troop A of the Pennsylvania State Police in Greensburg, Westmoreland County.  Zona was one of the first people on the scene when Flight 93 crashed into a Shanksville field ten years ago.  Check back to hear Zona’s first-hand account later in the week.