Rendell Tweaks Remarks About City's Drink Tax

by KYW's Tony Romeo

Governor Ed Rendell caused a stir last week when he told a Pittsburgh radio station that Philadelphia practices “selective” enforcement of the liquor by-the-drink tax.

Allegheny County is gnashing its teeth over its own recently enacted liquor by-the-drink tax, a move made possible by the state last year. Appearing on a talk show on sister station KDKA, Governor Rendell suggested that small tavern owners need not worry, pointing to what he called “selective enforcement” in Philadelphia:

(Rendell): “We don’t quite enforce in the neighborhood taverns as well as we do in the big hotels and restaurants.”

(Host): “You look the other way, sir?”

(Rendell): “Umm, you can say that.”

Later in the week, Rendell massaged his remarks, saying that enforcement is “concentrated” on major revenue producers. Mayor Nutter’s spokesman Doug Oliver says, yes, while the tax is collected across the board:

“It makes sense that you would obviously go after those individuals, those entities that would have the highest return for the city.”

But Oliver says there’s no policy to go easier on neighborhood taverns.