The Latest: Pennsylvania lawmakers vote to expand wine sales
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on the General Assembly's vote to change how liquor is sold in Pennsylvania (all times local):
1:40 p.m.
A bill to let groceries and other outlets sell wine and to make other changes to Pennsylvania's highly controlled system of alcohol sales is on its way to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
The House voted 157-31 on Tuesday for a proposal that would let some 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses sell up to four bottles of wine to each customer.
Backers say that if Wolf approves the bill, consumers could be purchasing wine in supermarkets within months.
It would allow wine sales in licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis.
It also would codify into law the sale of beer at convenience stores that has begun as a result of court cases.
The measure is estimated to generate about $150 million in new state revenue.
It wouldn't affect sales of hard liquor.
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12:20 p.m.
Pennsylvania lawmakers appear poised to let groceries and other outlets sell wine and to put into law the sale of beer at convenience stores that has already begun as a result of court cases.
The House Rules Committee voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to position the bill for a floor vote.
Republican majority leaders say it could be on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's desk later in the day.
The bill that passed the Senate in December with only two Democratic "yes" votes would let some 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses sell up to four bottles of wine to a customer.
It would allow wine sales in licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis.
It wouldn't affect sales of hard liquor or result in closure of Pennsylvania's roughly 600 state-owned stores.