June 1, 2012: This is the day when retail license holders may begin to sell spirits in Washington State! Gone will be the days of the government monopoly on booze! Yay for Initiative 1183! Here are the best three things the new law changes:
- Uniform pricing is repealed for spirits and wine (free market, anyone?)
- Ban on quantity discounts is repealed for spirits and wine (same comment)
- Ban on central warehousing is repealed for spirits and wine
As expected:
Liquor Control Board statement on the passage of Initiative 1183
We are, of course, deeply disappointed by the election results on Initiative 1183.
Waaaah. It goes on to say:
Weighing most heavily on our hearts and minds are the more than 900 Liquor Control Board employees who will lose their jobs.
Another fine example of how little the government class understands about how jobs are created in a fair, market-driven economy. I guarantee the removal of the obstructionist practices of this unfair and burdensome structure will result in MORE jobs when retailers start carrying liquor in stores such as Costco, QFC, Safeway, and yes, retail outlet stores as well. (Most Contract Liquor Stores have indicated their initial intent to continue in business.) MORE money will be spent on the products themselves, and not as taxes going to support an outdated and oppressive bureaucracy that exists for no other reason than to support itself.And for those of you who think there will be less revenue to the state, don’t forget that all retail license holders will have to pay a 17% gross sales tax to Olympia. Nice rake – and for what? Also, the increase in liquor sales (from the lower prices that will follow after the removal of unfair tax obligations and the injection of market forces) will result in higher retail sales taxes going to Oly.
Only the most jaded and die-hard pro-Government crazies will see this as anything but a win for the general public. Less government is exactly what we need. Always.
Filed under: Stuffs
