June 23, 2010 in City

Initiatives would close Washington state liquor stores

Two measures privatizing spirits sales likely to go on Nov. 2 ballot

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OLYMPIA – Washington state’s continued control of liquor sales may be in doubt.

Sponsors of one ballot measure to turn the sale of all liquor over to private stores, Initiative 1100, say they will turn in nearly 350,000 signatures today, a number that practically guarantees the proposal will be on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The campaign manager for a separate measure to privatize liquor sales, Initiative 1105, says it too expects to have more than enough signatures to turn in by July 2, raising the prospect of two competing plans for voters to sort out this fall.

Getting the state out of the liquor business, which it has been in since 1933 when Prohibition ended, has been a familiar refrain in the Legislature for decades; it has been studied and debated, but never approved. With the state facing a major shortfall this year and pressure to reduce state employees and expenses, several plans again surfaced, but none passed.

In the two months since the Legislature concluded, however, corporate sponsors have poured more than $1.5 million into the campaigns for the two liquor initiatives.

I-1100 is fueled mostly by money from Costco, which also allowed signatures to be gathered in its stores. Between cash donations and in-kind contributions, the membership retail giant has given $842,000 to the campaign. On Tuesday, campaign officials told the Secretary of State they plan to turn in some 347,000 signatures at lunchtime today.

I-1105 is funded thus far by two other companies, Young’s Market Co. and Odom Southern Holding, which have wholesale distribution or warehouse operations handling wine and beer. Young’s has contributed $530,000 and Odom $334,000.

The campaign got a late start on gathering signatures because the petition wasn’t filed until May 7, and a judge didn’t rule on a challenge to the ballot wording until June 9. I-1100 was filed April 16, and got its final ballot language May 20.

I-1105 campaign manager Charla Neuman said Tuesday her group was certain to turn in petitions; she just didn’t know when. “Our first goal is to make sure we have enough signatures, above and beyond the requirements.”

The two initiatives have similarly worded ballot titles, each starting with an explanation that it’s a proposal to “close all state liquor stores.” But there are significant differences, which help explain why I-1100, considered more beneficial to retail operations, is backed by Costco and the Northwest Grocery Association, while I-1105 is backed by wholesalers.

Among those differences: I-1100 allows retailers to go directly to manufacturers to get their supplies, while I-1105 requires they go through distributors; I-1105 charges retailers for licenses based on the amount of liquor they sell, while I-1100 has the same fee for all retailers; I-1100 essentially takes the state Liquor Control Board out of the sale and distribution and lets local governments decide how many stores to license, but under I-1105, the board retains some authority to license retailers.

Neuman agreed there is a risk voters will be confused by the two initiatives. “We’re all going into uncharted territory together,” she said.

Two other initiative campaigns say they also will turn in signatures by the July 2 deadline. The Building Industry Association of Washington told the Secretary of State it has more than 300,000 signatures on I-1082, a proposal to add private carriers to the state’s system of workers’ compensation plans. Sponsors of I-1107, a proposal funded by more than $1.5 million from the American Beverage Association to repeal recent taxes on candy, soda, bottled water and some processed foods, report they expect to have 340,000 signatures by July 2.

All four campaigns are paying to gather signatures.

Nine comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  empyrius on June 23 at 5:41 a.m.

  I always thought it a little strange that the state is the biggest drug dealer in, well, this state!

  Fittingly appropriate in a wretchedly evil empire . . .

• 

  fishinjay on June 23 at 7:43 a.m.

  The fewer “middle-men” involved in liquor sales the better. I really hope I-1100 passes.

• 

  liarsinnews on June 23 at 8:49 a.m.

  Gregoire, and her ilk, will plunge the state into the deep end of the red ink pool if it passes but they shall find another way to continue stealing from the citizens. Gregoire`s next move might be to have the state take over selling cigarettes.

• 

  Ninch on June 23 at 8:54 a.m.

  Actually, alcohol in moderation is a beneficial holistic medicine. And if alcohol is so evil, note that the demise of state liquor stores will increase alcohol sales.

  My problem is the charging of the same fee to each retailer no matter the amount of liquor sales. Why should a retailer in Usk pay the same as Costco in Spokane?

• 

  Megan_B on June 23 at 9:10 a.m.

  Easier access to alcohol for minors can never be a good thing. I cannot believe that a lot of people are not seeing the other side of this argument!

• 

  polistra on June 23 at 9:36 a.m.

  What happens if both of these conflicting measures pass?

• 

  MrNatural on June 23 at 10:16 a.m.

  If it isn’t broke don’t fix it
  The state liquor stores are a clean, safe, and effective way to dispense alcohol in our community and work just fine for the citizens of this state. They provide needed revenue and control seedy dispensation.
  I think these are bad initiatives that will cause a blight of package good stores throughout our communities. Looking at the blight in Maryland and Texas (of which I’m familiar with) and opening this “enterprise” to unscrupulous dealers will only cause further degradation to our society and put our children at greater risk.
  I am very disappointed with Costco for backing this potentially horrific initiative. Their lack of responsibility to the community in the interests of profit should affect a boycott.
  Say NO to initiatives I-1100 and I-1105. Future generations will thank you.

• 

  Teseract on June 23 at 12:49 p.m.

  I knew there was a reason I pay for Costco membership. It would be nice to be able to walk into a grocery store and buy some rum to go with my coke on the rare occasion I run out of rum.

  I buy maybe 3-4 bottles of hard liquor a year between my wife and myself. Finding a state liquor store, dealing with the heavy traffic and lack of parking on weekend days, and the restrictive hours makes it a real pain to buy adult beverages in this state. Buying booze on a Sunday is near impossible, which seems almost like an attempt to punish those of us who don’t follow Christianity and dare to buy booze on a <gasp> Sunday.

• 

  2Spirals on September 20 at 4:23 p.m.

  Its about time we join the ranks of most other states. I think if liquor is available in stores (like it is in California and Nevada, etc.) it’ll help a lot of us diet! I buy mostly beer because who wants to take their time to try and find a liquor store (often having to drive across town, or to other towns, etc.)? Its a pain. As soon as I can go to Safeway and get a bottle of Jack Daniels, I’ll start losing all that beer weight!!