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PLCB yields real money

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By Tribune-Review

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012, 8:59 p.m.
 Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Given the errors in the Commonwealth Foundation's most recent attack on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board — the column “The PLCB should not pass go” (Nov. 28 and TribLIVE.com) by Jay D. Ostrich — perhaps the foundation's staff should stick to playing board games.

The 5,000 PLCB employees don't play with fake money. Last year, they generated more than $500 million in profits and taxes for the state. This is real money used to fund programs that impact real Pennsylvanians — public-school students, seniors in nursing homes and our most vulnerable citizens.

The Commonwealth Foundation doesn't understand or care that if the PLCB were dismantled, the revenue loss would result in more deep cuts to vital programs that serve those in need. The foundation also misunderstands how many retailers develop private-label products and fails to point out that customers want what the PLCB offers.

TableLeaf chardonnay is the fifth most popular brand of chardonnay sold because the price is right and the product is good. The “privateers” have cried for decades for greater selection and more competitive pricing, yet when the PLCB delivers just that, they cry foul.

Facts can be annoying, but the privateers should pay attention to them or stick to board games.

Wendell W. Young IV

The writer is president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Council, which includes some 3,000 state store workers who are part of UFCW Local 1776.

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Submitted by: Robert on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Protecting his self-interest while defending an obsolete monopoly puts Mr. Young at odds with consumers and the public who believe the state should not be in the liquor business. As for state revenue who knows how much additional revenue would be collected if the business was free to innovate and serve its customers.
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