From UFCW PA.

– Below is Wendell W. Young, IV’s response to the Herald-Standard’s article published on October 16, 2013. The story examined Corbett’s continued efforts to sell-off the PA Wine and Spirits Stores despite how the stores are an asset worth improving, not dismantling:

“The Herald-Standard deserves credit for its thorough look at the on-going battle over dismantling the PA Liquor Control Board (Corbett not giving up on getting state out of booze business, Oct. 16, 2013).

“I would urge your readers to be wary of polling touted by the state’s leading cheerleaders for privatization. Independent polling shows clearly that Pennsylvanians support modernization over privatization.

“Voters support modernizing or leaving the current system alone by 20 points – 57 percent to 37 percent – compared to privatization, according to the Franklin & Marshall poll conducted this past spring.

“No matter how hard the Commonwealth Foundation and Keystone Politics try to spin their scheme, the fact is that they have an agenda driven by their donors.

“They can’t deny the PLCB generated more than $660 million in taxes and profits for the state and local treasuries last year, including more than $128 million in profits-a new record for the PLCB.

“As your article noted, lawmakers have an opportunity to strengthen this valuable asset by passing common sense modernization proposals to help generate another $75 to $100 million a year in additional revenues that could be used to fund our schools or other vital state needs.”

Wendell W. Young, IV
Chair, United Food and Commercial Workers of PA Wine and Spirits Council
President, UFCW Local 1776

Source: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Save-the-PA-Wine—Spirits-Stores–The-fight-continues.html?soid=1112575112488&aid=PjKWzl6ipw4