(6ABC) - Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to loosen Pennsylvania's tightly controlled liquor system by letting groceries and other outlets sell takeout wine and by formalizing beer sales in convenience stores that have begun as a result of court cases.

The House voted 157-31 to send the proposal to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf after a debate in which members said the changes carried considerable public support.

"What we're trying to do today is exactly what my constituents would like to see take place," said Rep. Lee James, R-Venango.

The bill that passed the Senate in December - with most Democrats opposed - would let some 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses sell up to four bottles of wine to a customer. It would allow takeout wine sales in licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis.

Wolf issued a statement calling the measure "historic liquor modernization legislation that provides greater customer convenience" and promising to review the bill "to ensure it meets my goals of enhancing the customer experience, increasing much-needed revenue to help balance our budget and bringing our wine and spirits system into the 21st century."

The bill, backed Tuesday by 46 Democrats, drew strong objections from the head of the union that represents state liquor store clerks.

"We're opposed to it and think it's crazy that we would do this," said Wendell Young IV, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776. "Of course we're used to crazies in the Republican Party, but we're not used to Democrats joining the crazies. There must be some sort of virus in the building."