Pennsylvania lawmakers poised to vote to loosen liquor law

Pennsylvania lawmakers appear poised to let groceries and other outlets sell wine and to put into law the sale of beer at convenience stores that has already begun as a result of court cases.

The House Rules Committee voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to position the bill for a floor vote.

Republican majority leaders say it could be on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk later in the day.

The bill that passed the Senate in December with only two Democratic “yes” votes would let some 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses sell up to four bottles of wine to a customer.

It would allow wine sales in licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis.

It wouldn’t affect sales of hard liquor or result in closure of Pennsylvania’s roughly 600 state-owned stores.