I generally try to remain open minded in this blog. Generally. I understand that taxes are important to operating a government and that the PLCB isn’t just one giant waste of time. They are very supportive of local wine, beer and liquor companies, for example.

New fee increases in liquor handling and storage by the PLCB, however, tend to rate high on my “completely ridiculous” scale. Fees will increase by $0.50 to $2 per bottle in January with increases continuing annually. They pretend that this is not just a new tax. Instead, they state: “Any business has to look at their costs on a yearly basis. We have not done that for 17 years and we have decided that we have to do that.”

Since when is a monopoly run by the state a business? If PA citizens had other choices and other companies to go through, then the PLCB could argue about being a business. A failing one. Shareholder seem to have no say in whether or not the PLCB’s strategies are the correct ones and the PLCB is therefore not held accountable to its customers.

With already sky high taxes on wine and liquor, restaurants, bars and the everyday consumer will soon have an additional $1-$3 per bottle to look forward to paying.

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