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