As the president of a union that represents 35,000 workers, I was gratified that Antony Davies noted our members’ efforts to prevent privateers from taking over the PA Liquor Control Board (“Pa.’s alcohol monopoly — we told you so,” Aug. 15, TribLIVE).
Davies, an economics professor, has worked for years with the Commonwealth Foundation, one of the state’s leading cheerleaders for privatizing, well, everything. His research is not peer reviewed and this most recent effort reflects his political agenda — not the facts.
The fact is that the PLCB delivers $750 million to taxpayers every year while providing 5,000 jobs, including 3,500 of our members.
Davies cherry-picks data regarding automobile accidents involving underage drinking and contends that legislation enacted in 2016 to liberalize liquor sales led to a decline in these types of cases or had no impact.
However, that data show that this trend started in 2012 — a decade ago. The downward trend occurred during the largest 10-year increase in Liquor Control Enforcement funding ever. Enforcement efforts include stepped up compliance checks and licensee measures, among other steps.
In addition, the PLCB makes significant annual investments in education programs and materials, much of which is dedicated to “no use” and “zero tolerance” messages for minors.
Funding for this enforcement and increased education about alcohol only happens because the PLCB is a public agency that belongs to all taxpayers. Davies and his fellow privateers would rather gut these investments and put 5,000 Pennsylvanians out of work.
Wendell W. Young
Plymouth Meeting
The writer is president of UFCW Local 1776.