State lawmakers questioned the PLCB about its rationing of certain alcohols during a hearing at the Capitol. | stock photo
State lawmakers questioned the PLCB about its rationing of certain alcohols during a hearing at the Capitol. | stock photo
A Pennsylvania state senator is among lawmakers criticizing a recent announcement by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) that puts a two-bottle limit on the sale of 43 different liquors.
Sen. Mike Regan (R-Carroll Township) was among lawmakers making remarks on Sept. 29 at the Capitol during a public hearing on the PLCB “supply chain disruption,” according to Pennsylvania State Republicans.
On Sept. 17, the PLCB “instituted a new two-bottle purchase limit on 43 items,” PLCB Testimony said. The two-bottle purchase limit applies “per customer, per day” and is applicable “to retail and licensee purchases in stores, through FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com and at licensee service centers.” The limit is driven by supply chain disruptions and product shortages.
Republicans are against the decision because they feel that restaurants and bars have already faced enough hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic without another blow to their businesses, according ABC 27 News.
Regan said during the hearing that he wanted to remind the PLCB, "You are not in a normal, free market.”
“The PLCB is a monopoly, and I think because of that, you need to be more transparent, and you need to go on record when you make decisions like this that are profoundly impactful to the people of Pennsylvania,” Regan said in a video of the hearing, in which he was majority chair. “I think Pennsylvanians deserve that type of transparency.”
The two-bottle purchase limit applies to specific bourbons, cognacs, tequilas, champagnes and whiskies, PLCB Testimony said. The limited liquors include 1792 Chocolate Bourbon Ball Cream Liqueur 34 Proof 750 ML, Hennessy Cognac VS 80 Proof 750 ML and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Black Label Tennessee Whiskey 80 Proof 1.75 L, according to the Two Bottle Limit List.
Created by state law on Nov. 29, 1933, the PLCB “regulates the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and disposition of liquor, alcohol, and malt or brewed beverages in the Commonwealth,” according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Alerts Sign-up