Wolf pushes gas pedal on letting stores sell gas and beer

Gov. Tom Wolf

HARRISBURG (AP) – Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pennsylvanians to be able to buy six-packs of beer and gasoline in the same place, despite a pending court challenge.

Wolf wrote Tuesday to the three Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board members a day before they’ll consider nine beer license applications from convenience and grocery stores that also sell gasoline.

A state law that prohibits businesses from selling both beer and gasoline is being fought over in court. A 2014 Commonwealth Court ruling permitted the sale of beer on the same property as gasoline, as long as the points of sale are separate.

The state Supreme Court is considering an appeal.

A Liquor Control Board spokeswoman says the agency has licensed more than 300 grocery and convenience stores to sell beer. About a dozen of those also have gas pumps.