Freshman North Hills lawmaker Mercuri vows to continue fight to privatize state liquor stores

Freshman state Rep. Rob Mercuri, R-Pine, has been assigned to serve on four House standing committees for the 2021-22 legislative session.

One of those assignments — a seat on the Liquor Control Committee — will allow the new lawmaker to continue his predecessor’s efforts to end the state’s liquor store monopoly.

“I hope to continue the work of former Speaker Mike Turzai by moving to privatize the state’s liquor sales,” he said. “The number one reason is that I believe that the government should get out of the liquor business and give consumers more freedom.”

Mercuri said businesses are more adept at running efficient retail operations that also can result in savings for consumers.

The Liquor Control Committee on which Mercuri will serve drafts legislation affecting the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and works with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Turzai, who held the office for 20 years and became House speaker in 2015, resigned in June to take a job in the private sector. He was instrumental in the 2016 change that permitted wine and beer sales at grocery and convenience stores in Pennsylvania but was unable to get the state to relinquish control of its system of 600 liquor stores in Pennsylvania or its hold on wholesale alcohol sales.

Efforts to get the state out of the alcohol business were rekindled in May with the introduction of House Bill 2547, which would close state stores, creating private outlets for liquor and privatizing the system of wholesale liquor sales.

Mercuri said that bill or a similar measure to move the system into private hands is expected to be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

Mercuri also has been appointed to serve on the state’s Finance, Urban Affairs and Commerce committees, according to his office.

“Being assigned to serve on the Commerce and Finance committees, I look forward to using my experience as a small business owner, working for two major accounting firms in Pittsburgh and New York City and as a financial risk manager and senior vice president at PNC Bank,” Mercuri said.

Mercuri, who took the oath of office Jan. 5 for the 28th District House seat, defeated Democrat Emily Skapov in the Nov. 3 general election to win the seat.

The 28th House district comprises McCandless, Pine, Marshall, Franklin Park and Bradford Woods.

The Commerce Committee works with the state Departments of Community and Economic Development and Banking and Securities on economic development, eligibility for mortgage assistance and consumer complaints about loans and credit cards.

The Finance Committee provides oversight of the state’s Revenue, Treasury and Community and Economic Development departments on issues related to state and local tax legislation, state lottery law and the fiscal code.

The Urban Affairs Committee focuses on legislation that affects cities of all sizes, including housing, urban redevelopment, economic development, land use planning and zoning, growth management, infrastructure financing and city services such as police, fire, sewage and water.

“Being appointed to these committees brings the opportunity to play a part in affecting change across a diverse set of issues during this consequential time,” he said.