Pa. Bill Would Decriminalize Transporting Booze Across State Lines
Arthur Goldman may get a bit of redemption after all.
You remember Goldman: He’s the Chester County attorney who was accused of bootlegging after he had rare fine wines shipped to his home from out of state — in violation of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board rules — and selling some bottles to friends. Authorities say the nearly 2,500 bottles of wine seized from Goldman will be destroyed, per state law.
Now there’s a move afoot in the Pennsylvania House to decriminalize the importation of liquor and spirits from across state lines.
The bill is to be introduced by Philadelphia Republican John Taylor, who cites recent news stories about law enforcement action against a man who purchased premium wines out of state and brought them home to Pennsylvania. Decriminalization language was contained in a broader bill passed by the state House last year to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania — a bill that has languished in the state Senate since. And Steve Miskin, spokesman for the state House Republican majority leader, admits it’s an effort to jump start the stalled privatization effort.
“It’s another way to highlight the need for a total makeover of Pennsylvania’s liquor laws,” Miskin says.
The bill, however, is considered a long shot.
