ADAI News

WA State Liquor Initiatives I-1100 and I-1105 Could Cost State and Local Coffers Millions

An article in today's Seattle Times says that the two liquor initiatives on the ballot in WA state next Tuesday would significantly impact the nearly $1 billion per year the state collects from the sale and regulation of beer, wine, and liquor.  The money pays for the liquor itself, 325 state stores, a distribution system, and other board functions, including licensing and enforcement.  Most of the rest goes to state and local government general funds.

The article includes two charts that show where the money comes from, where it goes, and what money would be eliminated if either or both of the initiatives passes.

Read the article here:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013277083_liquorboard28.html

Times columnist Danny Westneat also wrote this week about the initiatives, arguing that instead of simply giving its liquor business away, Washington State ought to look at ways to sell it, as several other states are doing.  Read more here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2013265256_danny27.html

For more information about Initiatives I-1100 and I-1105, see the ADAI Library's Resource Brief on Alcohol Privatization:  http://lib.adai.washington.edu/resourcebriefs/privatization.pdf

The Latest in News on the WA State Liquor Initiatives (I-1100 and I-1105)

With national and state elections only a week away, information about Washington State's two liquor initiatives (I-1100 and I-1105) continues to emerge in the news and online. 

Recent pieces include:

Initiative 1100 & 1105: The Privatization of Liquor (pdf) - This two-page fact sheet from the Association of Washington Cities describes the impact on local and state revenue, an explanation of tax changes proposed by the initiatives, and what will happen in terms of stores and budgets if one or both of the initiatives pass.  Find out about these initiatives and others on the AWC's "Initiatives" page.

Liquor Initiatives I-1100 and I-1105 - This web site from the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington explains the initiatives and provides links to a variety of organizations (both for and against), fiscal impact statements, local government documents related to alcohol privatization, and news articles/editorials.

I-1100 and I-1105: Local Impact of Washington State Liquor Initiatives - Jacinda Howard, Seattle PI, October 23, 2010.  This article breaks down the differences between the two initiatives, and describes the main positions of each campaign.

McDonnell Pulls Back on ABC Privatization Plans - Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 23, 2010.  This article reports on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's recent decision to rescind his proposal to privatize alcohol in his state, describing reasons both for and against the move.

For information and research about the health and social impacts of the two initiatives, see ADAI's Resource Brief on Alcohol Privatization: http://lib.adai.washington.edu/resourcebriefs/privatization.pdf

Join Together on WA Alcohol Privitization Debate

Join Together continues to follow the liquor initiatives in Washington state, with a recent item about the impact of loss of revenue on cities and local communities if the initiatives are passed by voters.   Read more...

The item points to a recent article in The Columbian, citing city officials in several Clark County communities about the impact of the initiatives on decreasing local revenue.

JTO also cites NPR, which reported Oct. 19 that the opposition to the campaign was largely funded by the beer and wine industry and that the primary supporters of the initiatives include Costco and some grocery stores, restaurants, and big retailers.

The Protect Our Communities coalition includes public officials, firefighters, church groups, labor unions, substance abuse prevention groups, and beer and wine distributors.

New Journals in the ADAI Library

These journals were recently received by the ADAI Library.  Click on links to connect to tables of contents.

Addiction Messenger: Continuing Care, Pt. 1. 13(10)
Addictive Behaviors 35(12)
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research 34(10)
Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling 31(1)
Journal of Drug Education 40(1)
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 12(10) and 12(Suppl 1)
Nordic Studies on Alcohol & Drugs 27(4)
Tobacco Control 19(5)

Washington Liquor Initiatives Could Reduce Cities’ Revenue

According to an article in The Columbian newspaper, passage of Washington state liquor intitiatives 1100 and 1105 could "reduce local cities’ already dwindling revenue streams."  Reporter Melissa Harshman quotes officials in several Clark County communities on the negative impact that losing state and local revenue from the current state system of alcohol sales would have on local services.   Read more...

 

New Journals in the ADAI Library

These journals were recently received by the ADAI Library.  Click on links to connect to tables of contents.

Addiction 105(10)
American Journal of Public Health 100(10)
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 42(3)
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Suppl no. 6
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 39(3)
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 25(2,4,6), 26(2,4,6), 27(1,2,3,4)

SAMHSA Wants Public Feedback on Strategic Initiatives

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has identified eight strategic initiatives to  focus SAMHSA's efforts and improve lives by maximizing the impact of its resources on areas of urgency and opportunity. They will also enable SAMHSA to shift its programs to better compliment the shifting policy landscape resulting from the Affordable Care Act and Parity.

SAMHSA released Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA's Roles and Actions 2011–2014 —a detailed plan for achieving the goals of the Agency's eight new strategic initiatives. These initiatives are designed to enhance the Agency's effectiveness by focusing its talents and resources on the key elements of its mission—reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in America's communities.

SAMHSA is now seeking comments from the public until October 22; read the plan and send your comments online to have your say. 

JoinTogether Highlights WA Alcohol Privatization Debate

The recent report from The Marin Institute on privatization of alcohol sales in Washington state and Virginia was highlighted today by JoinTogether.org. Contrary to claims by supporters that I-1100 and I-1105 would boost state revenue, the Marin report predicts privatization would be costly to the states and dangerous to the public's health and safety.

"Marin Institute researchers argue that long-term revenue would drop, stating that "privatization in either state will decrease annual state alcohol revenue by $200-$300 million."

Their report quoted estimates predicting that privatization would increase total alcohol consumption by 7 percent, and that spirit sales would jump 21 percent. They wrote that, "increased consumption in either Virginia or Washington State will cause an estimated $50 million per year in harm paid from state coffers (mostly criminal justice costs), and $1 billion per year in total harm costs."

Similar conclusions were drawn in a study by Dr. Randy J. Koch released by the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Sept. 22 that Koch said that making alcohol more broadly available would make consumption rise, and that higher levels of consumption increase "chronic disease, motor vehicle and other accidents, violence, and loss of productivity in the workplace."