Senate passes Mixed Drink Bill, but Wolf may veto

By Eric Seiverling

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Pennsylvania will face another showdown between the state’s Republican-led Legislature and Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf after senators narrowly passed a bill this week that would allow numerous outlets to continue to serve hard liquor drinks in to-go containers even as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.

House Bill 1154, also known as the Mixed Drink Bill, will permanently allow restaurants and bars to sell the mixed drinks to be consumed off site. It would also apply to establishments outside the state’s Liquor Control Board, such as grocery and convenience stores.

The bill passed by a 26-24 margin. Among local lawmakers, Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, voted against the bill while Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, and Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, supported it.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

The bill was enacted last year to expand restaurant and bar service after they were ordered to close by Wolf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Mike Regan, R-York County, chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, amended the bill to include establishments outside the LCB, a move that many say could result in a veto from the governor.

“I think the governor will veto it,” said Brewster, minority chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “It puts the governor in a bad position again and I think that’s wrong.”

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