The Woodland City Council will consider a resolution voicing opposition to state initiatives that will privatize the sale of liquor.
Councilman Al Swindell proposed the resolution, which opposes state initiatives 1100 and 1105. The resolution will be discussed for the first time at the council meeting at 7 p.m. today.
Swindell’s primary reason for asking the council to approve the resolution is to protect children.
“No matter what anybody says, it’s going to make it easier for children to get booze,” Swindell said. “It’s just the wrong thing to do.”
Initiative 1100 would privatize liquor sales, allowing any business to distribute liquor for a fee. If the initiative passes, retailers could buy liquor directly from the manufacturers. Initiative 1105 would also privatize liquor sales, but would keep a three-tier system for distribution: Manufacturers sell to distributors, who in turn sell to retailers.
According to the Association of Washington Cities, the state currently has 315 state and contract liquor stores. If passed, I-1100 would allow any current retailer with a beer and/or wine grocery store license or speciality store license to sell liquor. Approximately 5,200 stores currently have one of those licenses and would be eligible to sell liquor, according to the association. I-1105 directs the Washington State Liquor Control Board to develop criteria for issuing retail liquor licenses.
Swindell served on the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse for four years before it was disbanded in 2009. Prior to that, he served on the Clark County Substance Abuse Advisory Board and helped form a similar group in Woodland.
Swindell worries if liquor is available at more locations and during the later hours, underage drinking will increase, alcoholism will become more prevalent and more drunk drivers will be on the roads. Only large companies like Costco, which is backing I-1100, benefit, he said.
“It appalls me that we would even consider doing this,” Swindell said.
If either initiative passes, the city and county also stand to lose revenue. Cities, counties and the state receive two types of revenue from the sale of liquor: liquor control board profit distributions and liquor excise taxes.
Both initiatives would eliminate the revenue cities get from liquor board profits. In addition, if passed, I-1105 would eliminate the liquor excise tax as of April 1, 2012.
The city of Woodland receives about $60,000 a year from board profits and excise taxes. That money is used to help support general fund operations, like fire and police, and the enforcement of liquor laws, Swindell said.
The Vancouver City Council last week approved a resolution opposing the state initiatives by a vote of 4-1, with Councilman Bart Hansen abstaining. Councilwoman Jeanne Harris was absent.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
