HARRISBURG (KDKA) – The Pennsylvania House will begin debate on the campaign to privatize the state’s system of state-owned liquor stores today.

The House plans to take up the bill, but it is too early to know if there will be a vote.

In January, Gov. Tom Corbett outlined his plan to open up liquor and beer sales in Pennsylvania. Under Corbett’s plan, the state would have up to 1,200 private liquor stores.

Earlier this week, the House Liquor Committee backed the bill with a 14-10 vote.

He estimated the plan will generate $1 billion in revenue and get the state out of the alcohol business.

The state’s liquor stores have been around for 75 years; and for 75 years, people have complained about them because 48 other states have private liquor stores.

Gov. Corbett believes the time has come for the state to get out of the booze business.

“Why don’t we have choice?” Gov. Corbett said. “Why don’t we have convenience like 48 other states in the union? Why are we subjected to the status quo?”

There have been many attempts in the past to privatize the state liquor stores, and it has never passed.

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