Under the plan he announced this afternoon, the entire liquor retail and wholesale system would be privately owned and operated.

Corbett would shut down the more than 600 state-owned wine and liquor stores and auction off the licenses to private interests.

The plan would allow for "one stop shopping" for wine, beer and liquor, he said.

The plan would allow consumers to purchase six packs of beer and bottles of wine in the same place they purchase groceries.

He said he expects the plan to fund a four-year, $1 billion grant program for schools.

According to the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania is currently one of only two states in the nation – the other is Utah – that has state-run liquor sales.