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Hate it when you need a last-minute bottle of
champagne for a dinner party, only to find that your local liquor store is closed?
If Governor Ridge has his way, liquor stores usually open until 10 p.m. could stay open as late as 2 a.m. Ridge hopes that the privatizing of state liquor stores will ultimately make money, which will be invested in education and community projects. Here's a more in-depth look at Ridge's plan:
- 655 state stores would be replaced by the state with 757 privately run wine and spirits stores.
- The stores would be auctioned off, and will cost an average of $370,000 for each single franchise.
- Instead of 10 p.m., stores could stay open as late as 2 a.m.
- $388 million of the proceeds would be invested in beneficial projects such as museums, convention centers, parks, airports and zoos.
- $129 million would go to a new scholarship program for high school students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and are involved in community service.
Governor Ridge also appeared to distance himself from using money from the sale of state stores to generate funds for professional sports stadiums.
Reactions to the proposal are mixed. While some consumers are in favor of having longer hours available to them, store owners and the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage Association are concerned for the stability of
their jobs. Local groups such as the Pennsylvania chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving are enraged over the idea that alcohol may be more accessible with the increase in hours.
Amazingly, this could be one of the few times that two such diametrically opposed groups agree on an issue.
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