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Check the taxes paid on anything mail order outside the country and look at taxes on all imports. No different than states not allowing gambling but ok with lottery. Its the voters wanting to shift tax base really; same as taxing Sin items.
Isn't it weird how the Philadelphia airport has one of these, despite being in a state with laws that make it illegal for people from PA to bring in alcohol from NJ or DE?
How can they do that? Isn't that an unconstitutional restraint of trade, and exactly what the commerce clause was written to prevent?
How can they do that? Isn't that an unconstitutional restraint of trade, and exactly what the commerce clause was written to prevent?
The Constitution unfortunately seems to favor state governments in each setting their own alcohol laws. Unfortunately that means the states usually abuse their power to.
Laws can be passed that treat people differently ;its done all the time. for example you can be taxed more and you can be charged more under ACA. By same they can declare what is taxed and where it is and isn't.They can run a lotto but not allow it privately under gambling. Nothing ethical about it really.
Whats unethical is not everyone is getting the tax break.
What tax break? Internal Revenue tax is still being collected at Duty free shops. It's not commonly known but occurs. Then duty would be assessed on the alcohol. Duty free sops do not assess duty on alcohol leaving the US going east or west and NAFTA precludes any duty going to Canada.
I can answer that, the state of Pennsylvania fully controls liquor sales including owning the stores and certainly doesn't want you bringing in cheaper liquor across the state border. They are one of the largest single purchasers of alcohol in the world with about 2 billion in revenue. Despite this we have high prices and they have a paltry 5% profit margin. Granted they don't need to make a profit but that should equate to lower prices than surrounding states which it does not.
The clerks are unionized so the primary opposition to privatization comes from Democrats. Republican politicians aren't exactly enthusiastic here either as they tend to shy away from things that will anger union members. The best chance we had at privatization was the last four years when the legislator and the governor was Republican. Had there been even a little support from Democrats we probably would not be having this discussion.
It's unlikely with the current Democrat governor, he wants to make them "more profitable" which is code for raise prices even further.
Alcohols sale laws are a mixed bag, across the US and defy partisanship.
If only those Philly duty free customers knew what they were avoiding (more than just duty) and could be grateful for it...
They're not Philly duty free customers.
Duty Free does not exist in the US (even though it's in Philadelphia International airport), it exists in "international waters".
Any duty free coming into Philly must have come from the duty free store (or airplane duty free) before or during the person bringing it landed, and crossed the US land border (at the airport, not before US airspace).
Any duty free sold in Philly will be going out of the US.
Alcohols sale laws are a mixed bag, across the US and defy partisanship.
It's archaic here, I don't want to give the impression you can't get booze but it's just inconvenient and expensive compared to other areas. While a certain segment of the Republicans in this state wouldn't want to see the laws changed it's the overwhelming majority of Democrat legislators that won't support it despite the fact Democrat voters support it. The only way these laws will be changed in this state is through Republican led legislation, with the current Democrat governor it's unlikely to occur until the next election 4 years from now.
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