Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Returns More Than $2.2 Million in Licensing Fees to Local Communities

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is returning more than $2.2 million in licensing fees to municipalities in continued support of their law enforcement and alcohol education activities. These fees were collected during the six-month period ending Jan. 31.

"The PLCB returns millions of dollars in licensing fees to municipalities twice a year as part of our commitment to educate and protect consumers and their families from the dangers associated with alcohol," said PLCB Chairman Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton. "At a time when budgets are getting tighter, we know this funding is important to the communities that receive it."

The Pennsylvania Liquor Code requires licensees and permitees to renew or validate their license annually and collects a licensing fee when the application, renewal or validation is submitted. Once the submission is approved, the money is distributed to the licensee's municipality to help defray the cost of local law enforcement.

License fees are based on the type of license and the population of the municipality in which the license is located. The PLCB oversees the regulation of more than 17,000 liquor licenses and permits statewide, including restaurants, clubs and beer distributors.

Established in 1933, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 Wine & Spirits Stores statewide. The Board reported sales of approximately $1.5 billion in 2009-10 and a return of $481.5 million in taxes and profits to the state's General Fund to benefit all Pennsylvanians.

Media contact: Stacey Witalec or Stacy Kriedeman, 717-783-8864

Editor's Note: Contact the PLCB Press Office for a list of municipalities receiving fee distributions.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board