In brief: Government wages surpass private sector in Idaho

BOISE – Statistics kept by the state Department of Labor show government wages in Idaho passed private-sector wages in 2009.

The agency’s statistics show that the average monthly wage for government workers at the federal, state and local levels in Idaho was $3,167 a month in 2009, according to the Idaho Business Review.

The agency said that’s 7.2 percent above the monthly wage of private sector workers.

Bob Uhlenkott, an analyst for the state Department of Labor, said public sector wages typically rise above private sector wages during economic downturns.

Coalition group again targets state control of liquor sales

OLYMPIA – A group of retailers and restaurants is going to make another attempt at privatizing the distribution and sale of liquor in Washington state.

The coalition including Costco, the Northwest Grocery Association and the Washington Restaurant Association has filed a new initiative. Supporters expect to begin gathering signatures in the next month.

Washington voters rejected a Costco-backed initiative that would have privatized the system. Northwest Grocery Association President Joe Gilliam says the proposal would prohibit liquor from being sold at gas stations.

Stores that get liquor licenses would pay 17 percent of liquor revenues to the state. Liquor distribution businesses would give the state as much as 10 percent of their revenues.