Just what we don't need - higher prices at state stores

Those of us who desperately want Pennsylvania to get out of the booze business picked up a little more ammo this week.

That, of course, would mean blowing up the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the folks who control sales of wine and spirits in the Keystone State.

It's been debated forever in Harrisburg - and of course gone exactly nowhere.

Earlier this week, we had a sit-down with perhaps the top proponent of privatization in Harrisburg. That would be House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Turzai, R-26, of Allegheny County. He took great pride in noting that he and his colleagues in the House did something that has never been done before. They actually passed privatization legislation. Of course, at that point it went to the Senate, where it quickly became a victim in the normal political tug of war that amounts to a way of life in Harrisburg. It got deep-sixed in the battle over that $2 billion Transportation package.

Turzai is vowing to give it another shot in the fall.

Here's something he might want to throw out there.

This week the finance director at the LCB recommended the agency increase its markup on wine and spirits.

That's right. Prices would wind up being even higher than they are now, which, as anyone who frequents Delaware, New Jersey or Maryland to buy booze can tell you is pretty much the biggest reason they cross the border to buy booze.

That and the convenience of buying everything you need in one store.

Turzai still thinks privatization is going to happen.

If so, I suggest they start at the beginning. The latest version of privatization floating around the capital is a watered-down version that doesn't really accomplish what most people want - the ability to buy beer (a single, six-pack or a case), a bottle of wine or a bottle of whiskey in one place.

Preferably, that place would be your local supermarket, where you could simply toss your beer choices into the cart with the rest of your groceries, instead of having to go to a special part of the store and pay for your beer separately. It's time for Pennsylvania to get out of the dark ages when it comes to the sale of alcohol.

Without knowing it, the guys at the LCB may have actually helped that push this week.