This is what happens when state government is in the alcohol business.

Maybe it's the fact the Ed Rendell is still governor.

Or it might be the prospect of tax-and-spend liberal Barack Obama being elected president.

Something is driving Pennsylvania residents to drink more.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported record revenues for the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

From an article posted on the newspaper's Web site:

The Liquor Control Board, which oversees or directly operates 620 Wine & Spirits stores across the state, said it brought in $1.77 billion in sales during the year. That revenue generated $428 million in sales tax, liquor tax and profits for the state, the board said.

The latest revenue figure was a 4.8 percent increase over the previous year's sales, which were $1.69 billion.

Pennsylvania has found a great way to unburden residents with their hard-earned cash by taxing all sorts of vices.

With the state lottery, legalized slot parlors and taxes on liquor and cigarettes, are there any vices Rendell hasn't figured out how to tax?