HARRISBURG — The leading advocate of privatizing liquor and wine sales in Pennsylvania pitched his plan to a key legislative committee Wednesday, even though it was not yet officially a bill, signaling the long road that lies ahead.

House Republican leader Mike Turzai was armed with charts and facts about his plan as he alone testified before the House Liquor Control Committee. Several dozen state-store employees, all wearing bright yellow union T-shirts, attended the crowded hearing.

Turzai, who also fielded questions from the panelists, said his proposal would enhance customer convenience, generate a one-time windfall of as much as $2 billion for the state treasury and strengthen enforcement of state alcoholic beverage laws.

“Change is always difficult, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it,” the Allegheny County lawmaker told the committee.

“If ever there’s an opportune time to show that we are not doing business as usual in Pennsylvania and that we are actually focusing on our constituents and our consumers and can do some good things as a result,” he said, “now’s the time.”

Democrats on the panel challenged some of Turzai’s proposals, such as his claim that the state would take in the same amount of tax revenue whether it is collected by state employees or hundreds of private entrepreneurs.

Privatization of liquor and wine sales has been proposed before by Republican governors, only to be scuttled by the Legislature.