PLCB Delivers for Pennsylvania

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- UFCW PA Wine and Spirits Council: The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) continues to deliver strong returns for all Pennsylvanians and is ready to generate more profit and help the state avoid a catastrophic $2 billion deficit, said Wendell W. Young IV, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 after agency leaders testified before the House Appropriations Committee today.

"The math tells the story. Sales are up. Profit is up. Transfers to the state are up. Each year, this asset continues to grow and improve. I am proud to represent 3,500 Pennsylvanians who work in these stores to deliver great service and a tremendous value to the commonwealth," Young said.

Young noted the PLCB generated a record $2.34 billion in sales in the last fiscal year, an increase of 4.2 percent over the previous year. The PLCB transferred more than $580 million in profits, taxes and other payments to its shareholders – the taxpayers of Pennsylvania. In the last five years, the PLCB has sent $2.6 billion in cash to the general fund.

Young urged lawmakers to enact a series of proposals to modernize the PLCB to provide more convenience for customers and significant increases in profits. These common sense proposals include unrestricted sales on Sundays (both the number of locations and the hours of operation); the ability to sell lottery tickets and greater flexibility in procurement and pricing among others.

In all, modernization proposals would allow the PLCB to generate more than $185 million of new profits in the first year after authorization alone. This revenue would continue to grow annually.

"Many of these proposals have bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. The state is looking at a potential $2 billion deficit in the next year unless lawmakers come together and act. Modernizing this asset will go a long way toward closing that gap," said Young.

Visit: www.ufcwpawineandspiritscouncil.com

SOURCE UFCW PA Wine and Spirits Council

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