Thursday, June 23, 2011

Or Maybe Not: privatization bill coming soon

Okay, maybe I got carried away. Because I wrote to Representative Taylor after my last post, and asked him why he was giving the PLCB what they wanted, their "False Dawn Initiative," the "alternative to privatization." I was despondent. Then I got this response, and I feel all better. Check it out:
"At this time, Representative Turzai has not introduced his privatization bill. I fully expect this bill to be introduced within the next 10 days."
I almost forgot to read the rest of the letter. Here we go, people, here we go. Are you ready to do something? Are you ready to write your reps (and copy Taylor and Turzai and the Governor), are you ready to go to Harrisburg? Are you ready to take part in a civil disobedience demonstration against the unAmerican Pennsylvania booze sale monopoly law that could get you fined or even taken to jail? More to come.

Taylor Privatization Letter June 23

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

So how many followers do we got lined up so far thousands, millions are we marching on harriburg on this ? Of course we gotta see the bill first, and the results of that study! Don't wanta get ripped off like we did with those under priced casinos!

Lew Bryson said...

Absolutely: see the bill first. Thousands? I'd be happy to get a hundred in Harrisburg. We'll see. My main aim with this is to have a bill that is not all about business; I want a bill that addresses the citizens' desires, interests, and dignity.

Nathan said...

Huh, if privatization isn't dead after all, I guess I'll have to start kicking out those PLCB studies I've been half-heartedly working on.

Although, after all the backpedalling on the issue so far, I have to wonder if the Republicans are just using the threat of privatization to squeeze concessions out of the state store unions...

Lew Bryson said...

Wondered what had happened with those! So...the way you phrase that, is it fair to say that you are opposed to privatization? Care to make a statement on that?

As for the concession threat, they're going to have to get a LOT more threatening than they have so far if they expect to achieve anything.

Nathan said...

Not opposed to privatization, but not happy with last session's HB 2350 either. I (and other consumer advocates) have been keeping mum until we see what HB 1 looks like.

Because of that, I've been holding back on (or at least less enthusiastic about) releasing the studies I've been working on because I don't want to inadvertently support a privatization bill that I don't like. Of course the data and findings are already finalized and will not change regardless of what HB 1 looks like, but for now I want to reserve the ability to add some speculative language about what the world might look like e.g. with a duopoly of two wholesalers per county.

(Delaying the reports for this reason is anathema to my academic side, but this is a political debate, not an academic one...)

Lew Bryson said...

Indeed. That's why despite people urging me to get onboard with Senator Rafferty's attempt (with Sheetz money in support) to put through a sixpack bill...I read the bill and said nothing. Bad bill. I'm not real sanguine about this one, but that's what the amendment process is for...I hope.

I think we can agree: we get one shot at this. Do it right, or put it off.

Anonymous said...

Nobody knows what happens on the inside ! How the unions don't protect the workers jobs and how veterans are shunned by workers for getting points to get hired to work at these crappy jobs with their monopoly rules.
There's a ton of workers who don't work but collect bennies we pay for!Yes that is the real PALCB.

Nathan said...

Since the house has adjourned until the fall session, I guess we won't see the privatization bill before September. Ah, to get one's hopes up on the promises of politicians!