- UPDATE:
Gov. Tom Wolf signed the most substantial changes to Pennsylvania's liquor system since the 1930s on Wednesday, a possible signal of bipartisan cooperation over next year's budget.
"[This bill] came about because members of both parties cooperated with each other," Wolf said, before he signed the bill, which passed the House on Tuesday in a 157-31 vote.
The changes coming to how Pennsylvanians purchase and consume their alcohol include wine sales at grocery stores, longer state liquor store hours and 24/7 beverage service at casinos. Residents would also be able to receive direct shipments of wine through the mail.
A number of key stakeholders have criticized the measures -- which were part of the budget framework Wolf negotiated with Republican leaders last year -- for what they see as unfair treatment. It does not, for example, contain any new features for beer distributors or liquor distilleries.
Proponents, including Wolf, say the changes help improve convenience for customers. The House Appropriations Committee estimated that the expansion of alcohol access could generate $150 million in new revenue for the state.
Observers from sides believe the new law will mark the death knell of the state stores, which key Republican leaders have sought to privatize for years.
But many see the compromise bill, which contains many of Wolf's favored modernization initiatives, as a sign that 2016 won't see a repeat of last year's protracted budget impasse.
"I've been very pleased with the discussions we've had with the governor on many fronts," House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, said on Tuesday, prior to the bill's passage.
Turzai said his overriding philosophy this year has been to separate contentious issues, such as liquor and pensions, from the larger budget debate.