HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Legislature's leading advocate of privatizing liquor and beer sales in Pennsylvania has thrown in the towel — at least until fall.

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai acknowledged Tuesday the open secret that he lacks the votes to get his bill through the House.

Speaking with reporters as a budget meeting between Gov. Tom Corbett and legislative leaders broke up, the Allegheny County Republican said legislators need to focus now on passage of a state budget. Corbett vowed to work with Turzai in tweaking a liquor bill for possible consideration this fall.

Leaders and the governor were upbeat as they left Tuesday's meeting, although they provided no specifics about the bottom line for spending in the fiscal year that starts July 1.


Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.