Mustio to Fund His Own Exploration of Washington State’s Newly Implemented Liquor Privatization Program
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) announced today that he will personally fund his trip to explore Washington state’s recently implemented liquor store privatization program. The trip will take place the first week in September.
“Ever since Washington state successfully passed its liquor privatization code, some advocates to maintain the current state store system in Pennsylvania have been claiming that the costs of implementing a private system have resulted in dramatically higher prices for Washington consumers and therefore justifies preserving the status quo in Pennsylvania,” said Mustio. “I am paying my own way to go to Washington to discover first-hand how its transition from state stores to privatization is proceeding. I will speak with Washington state legislators, consumers and licensees. This will enable me to come back with some definitive answers on how to implement a liquor privatization plan that works best for Pennsylvania.”
Mustio, a member of the House Liquor Control Committee, a co-sponsor of Pennsylvania’s most far-reaching liquor privatization legislation (House Bill 11), and the author of several liquor code reform bills of his own, will be joined by Rep. Tom Killion (R-Delaware/Chester).
“Representative Killion is also a member of the House Liquor Control Committee who brings with him a unique understanding of the negative economic impacts of ‘border bleed,’” said Mustio. “This practice involves southeastern Pennsylvania residents purchasing some or all of their alcohol across state lines, even though it is illegal to transport these products back into the state, because the price is significantly lower and the selection is better. It’s no secret that Pennsylvania has lost billions in liquor sales and tax revenue to bordering states such as Delaware.”
Since taking office in June 2003, Mustio has saved Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $80,000 by refusing to accept a taxpayer-funded automobile or taxpayer-funded cell phone; refusing to accept mileage reimbursement for miles driven within the 44th Legislative District; and becoming the first Pennsylvania state representative to pay for a portion of his health insurance.
“The information I will be bringing back from this liquor privatization tour of Washington state will not cost Pennsylvania taxpayers one dime,” said Mustio. “I did not get elected to make friends in Harrisburg or for personal profit, but to achieve the results that my constituents expect, demand and deserve.”
Visit
www.RepMustio.com and
www.Facebook.com/RepMustio for the latest legislative updates.
State Representative Mark Mustio
44th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Ty McCauslin
tmccausl@pahousegop.com
717.772.9979