Posted: | March 3, 2023 09:26 AM |
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From: | Representative Jessica Benham |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Public Safety Grants for Municipalities Oversaturated with Liquor Licenses |
Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code limits the number of licenses allowing the retail sale of liquor, wine, and malt and brewed beverages that may be granted per county. However, most counties have far more liquor licenses than this quota allows as a result of licenses that date back to before the quota was implemented. Our communities with the highest concentrations of liquor licenses have a greater need for additional public safety measures. To address the needs of these communities, I will be introducing legislation to create a grant program to provide financial support for municipalities that are in the greatest need of additional public safety measures and violent crime reduction efforts respective of their high concentration of liquor licenses. The program will be funded by taking a portion of the annual revenue from the Emergency State Tax on Liquor (commonly referred to as the Johnstown Flood Tax), ensuring that the taxes we have on liquor sales are re-invested to support the communities with the greatest need for additional resources as a result of an abundance of liquor sales locations. Please join me in supporting local public safety initiatives and providing some much needed relief to the residents of these oversaturated communities. |
Introduced as HB1252