OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A campaign seeking to end the state’s monopoly on hard liquor is moving one step closer to the ballot.
Supporters of Initiative 1100 say they’re turning in petitions with more than 375,000 signatures on Wednesday. The state requires about 241,000 valid voter signatures to make it on the November ballot.
I-1100 would allow stores that sell beer and wine to also sell hard liquor. It also would eliminate state price controls and allow volume discounts. In addition, retailers could buy liquor directly from manufacturers. Costco has been a major supporter.
There’s a second campaign working on a different liquor privatization measure. That’s Initiative 1105, which would allow private sales but make fewer sweeping changes to other liquor laws.
