KPLU Local News
(2010-11-05)
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Despite voters' defeat of two liquor privatization initiatives, a state senator says he wants to revisit the issue - with modifications - when the legislature convenes in January.
AP photo.
(N3) -
The latest count of election ballots show both propositions to get Washington state out of the liquor business have failed. But the issue is not going away. A new privatization proposal has surfaced in Olympia on the heels of those defeats.
A state senator from Mason County says he wants to take another run at ending Washington state's monopoly on liquor distribution and sales. Democrat Tim Sheldon claims the election defeat of both liquor initiatives was not a vote for the status quo.
Tim Sheldon: "Many people could say in the legislature that, Well, the voters have had their say. The issue is resolved.' I don't believe so, because I think with some changes it would be very popular."
The changes include auctioning retail liquor licenses to the highest private bidders, potentially netting millions of dollars. State operated stores would be closed. The state's central liquor distribution warehouse would also be sold off.
A spokesman for the union representing liquor store clerks says privatization is still a bad idea. They'll oppose it in the 2011 legislative session again on grounds of public safety and job losses.
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