HARRISBURG – As part of its bi-annual reinvestment in local communities, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is returning more than $2.1 million in licensing fees to be used for local alcohol enforcement efforts.
“Each year, as we collect these funds from our licensees and distribute them to municipalities, we recognize the significant impact the money has on the residents of those communities,” said PLCB Chairman Patrick J. “PJ” Stapleton. “In returning these fees, we’re furthering our commitment to local law enforcement efforts and reinforcing our role as a responsible partner in combating the dangerous and problematic abuse of alcohol.”
The Pennsylvania Liquor Code requires licensees and permitees to renew or validate their license annually to maintain the privilege of selling alcohol. The PLCB collects a licensing fee when a liquor license application, renewal or validation is approved. The money collected is distributed to the municipality in which the licensee is located to help defray the cost of local law enforcement.
License fees are based on the type of license and the population of the municipality in which the license is located. The PLCB oversees the regulation of more than 17,000 liquor licenses and permits statewide, including restaurants, clubs and beer distributors.
Established in 1933, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates over 600 Wine & Spirits Stores statewide. The Board reported sales of $1.5 billion in 2008-09 and a return of $494.5 million in taxes and profits to the state’s General Fund, helping to pay the cost of essential services such as education, health care, infrastructure and public safety.
