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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Casey
Kockler |
State Rep. Robert
Donatucci |
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Donatucci announces joint public hearing on beer sales
HARRISBURG, March 6 – State Rep. Robert Donatucci, D-Philadelphia, announced plans to work with the Senate Law and Justice Committee to investigate the sale of beer in grocery and convenience stores in Pennsylvania.
The House Liquor Control Committee and Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a joint public hearing on beer sales by grocery and convenience stores at 9:30 a.m. March 20 in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.
The panel will examine the recent expansion of beer sales by hearing testimony from groups that both support and oppose the practice.
Donatucci, majority chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, said he is committed to finding the best solution for Pennsylvania.
“The panel intends to use the information from the hearing to make important decisions regarding the beer industry in Pennsylvania,” he said. “It remains to be seen if legislative action should be taken to prevent the sale of beer in convenience stores. If we continue to allow it, my main concern is the protection of minors and the control of underage drinking.”
Recently, a Commonwealth Court ruling prohibited a Sheetz licensee in Altoona from selling alcohol for takeout without allowing consumption on the premises as well. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has appealed the ruling. The public hearing will provide a forum to discuss this issue and decide which path is best for Pennsylvania to follow.
A number of interested parties are expected to testify at the hearing.
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EDITORS NOTE: Media coverage of the March 20 hearing is invited.