PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE WANTS TO CONTINUE USING STATES STORES

Pennsylvania’s Governor Rendell opposes direct wine shipments to state residents. According to philly.com, Rendell’s spokeswoman, Kate Phillips, said, “We all want to maintain the state system. Direct sales should go through the states stores.” Pennsylvania natives have the right to special order wines from other states that Pennsylvania does not carry, but they must pay an 18% state tax, 6% sales tax, and a $4.50 handling fee to have the shipment delivered to a liquor store. Law-makers that support the use of state stores claim they are necessary to avoid underage drinking. Myron Waxman of the Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Wholesaler Association said, “I don’t want the Pennsylvania wineries to be hurt. Nobody does. But there’s got to be a degree of fairness for everybody as far as mark-ups, taxes and fees.”