Candidates for 40th PA Senate Race Answer Your Questions About Privatizing State Liquor Stores

Democrat and Republican  are running in the Aug 7 special election to become the next state senator in Pennsylvania's 40th district. The winner will complete the term of former , who was convicted and sentenced to prison for using her state paid staff to do campaign work.

Recently, the readers of the North Hills, Cranberry and Pine-Richland Patches were asked to submit questions to both candidates. The three editors of those Patch sites assembled those questions, and added a few of their own, for the candidates.

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What is your position on the Governor's desire to privatizing the State Wine & Spirits system?

Dr. Sharon Brown: "Corbett/Vulakovich have supported the liquor privatization plan of GOP leader Turzai, which would sell off the more than 600 state stores and sell 1600 licenses to new private owners.

The proponents claim that this sell off would yield billions of dollars in a one-time deal, although there is scant proof of those figures.

But the state system returns about $100 million annually directly to the state budget. It also serves communities throughout the state, including remote and rural areas – not a model likely to be followed by private interests. Then there’s the loss of workers - nearly 5000 of them who have family-sustaining jobs. 

There are immediate changes we can make that would improve service, like expanding wine and beer sales to other venues. We must make sure that whatever changes are made benefit all – the state, the workers, and the consumers – and not just the liquor interests that fund political campaigns."

Rep. Randy Vulakovich: "I support privatization."

What do you think of the newly formed district and how is it potentially different than or similar to the former 40th?

Rep. Randy Vulakovich: "The new 40^th district will be similar in registration but will push eastward, however, as of this date 7/15/12 the map is currently under appeal."

Dr. Sharon Brown: "The proposed redistricting was developed without public input, and rammed through the GOP-dominated Legislative Redistricting Committee (LRC) with no prior notice and little discussion after Sen. Orie was sent to jail. The 40th district as we know it will disappear, and our region will be forced to live in districts where communities, townships, and counties will be split apart from historical allies, and our representation will suffer.

This map was clearly drawn for partisan political gain, to advantage the same politicians who have caused the “trickle down” tax increases we are experiencing. And this was the second such redistricting map passed – the first one was declared unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for the exact same defects the new map has. The Court is currently considering whether this new GOP scheme passes constitutional muster. "

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The candidates' answers to questions about their qualifications, Gov Corbett's budget, and funding for public schools can be found . Their answers to questions about tuition rates and jobs can be found . Their answers to questions about tax breaks and Marcellus pipelines can be found . 

Tomorrow, the candidates talk about the new state voter I-D law, red light cameras, and their position on employers being required to include access to birth control in their medical benefits. 

You can chime in on what each candidate has to say in the comments box below.