Privatizing liquor sales hasn't brought price down

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Privatizing liquor sales hasn't brought price down

Monday, December 31, 2012

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — Privatizing liquor sales in Washington state hasn't brought prices down, as some hoped it would.

The Daily Herald (http://is.gd/kZZGFu ) reports the cost of liquor in Washington went up six months ago, right after the changeover, and has mostly stayed that way.

The State Department of Revenue reports the average statewide price per liter of hard liquor after taxes was $24.06 in October.

That's slightly less than the average price in June, right after privatization. But it's still over 10 percent higher than the average of $21.59 at state liquor stores in October 2011.

Backers of Initiave-1183 had steered clear of claiming the plan would lower prices. But they did mention that as a potential benefit because of increased competition.

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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com

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seslar 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Quel un surprise! And another NON-benefit is seeing Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur marketed along side the eggs, bacon, and coffee creamers at Safeway. GROSS.

TerryFinn 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Hopefully higher prices will discourage consumption. However with MJ now legal... What a tangled web ..

lonedog3 4 months, 3 weeks ago

saw an article that more teens are being caught shoplifting booze now that it is so easily accessible to them. Seems the two things the pro side claimed would and wouldn't happen has happened. higher prices and children having easy access.

Meowzzz 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Exactly! That is exactly why I voted no, and exactly what I told the people that were voting yes. I got quite a few laughs from friends who thought I was wrong. Well, look who was right.

sourtellinme 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I did the same thing Meowzz. And don't take JimboBear's comment to heart. He toots his whistle louder than anyone here.

JimboBear 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Hahahaaaaa! Well, I guess it depends on your perspective, doesn't it, Eugene? I don't recall being a braggart here, but perhaps I have. Just might be that we are ALL guilty of that.

Meowzzz 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I just thought he was upset because he has to pay more now for alcohol, like I'm sure several are upset. I don't drink, so I truly don't care as I don't have to buy it either way. But I saw this coming, as did a lot of people, and the ones that were voting FOR it fought hard saying it wasn't going to happen. They also fought hard saying that theft of alcohol wouldn't go up either. I knew they both would and they did.

JimboBear 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry Jennifer, but you thought quite wrong. I don't drink either, so that makes your reasoning invalid once again. I favored the issue because I don't believe that the state should be engaged in retail business for ANY reason, but least of all in the business of selling alcohol. I wonder if you believe the state should now get into the marijuana sales business, since recreational use of that substance is now legal. I guess they could call it the State Pushers Association, huh?

Actually, all I thought about your comment was that you were overdoing your self congratulatory attitude and was I hoping that you'd realize it doesn't become you or anyone else. I never did think much of gloating, and your comment certainly could be defined as such.

JimboBear 4 months, 3 weeks ago

"I got quite a few laughs from friends who thought I was wrong. Well, look who was right."

How delightful that you are so proud of yourself Jennifer, but really, must you publicly toot your own whistle so loudly?

Meowzzz 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Whoa Jimbo, seriously, you need to relax. I have no idea why you are taking such offense to anything I have said. I wasn't gloating, I was stating a fact and as for my comment about the price going up, upsetting you it was only a comment. I have no idea why you are taking such offense to what I typed as neither of them were a personal attack on you, or meant as such. I'm done conversing with you.

JimboBear 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Hmmmmm! Well, I wasn't offended, other than as I said, by the bragging tone of the first post and perhaps a bit by your assumption that I was an old boozer who gets angry when he drinks.. My apologies if I sounded grumpier than usual or made you feel that I was attacking you. I didn't really intend that as I attempted to point out in my second reply. I guess maybe I just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning . My Daughter accused me of being grumpy today also and I didn't understand her perception of my words either. Anyway . . . Peace be unto you. I meant no harm.

lonedog3 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I guess no one understands us grumpy old men Jimbo!

JimboBear 4 months, 3 weeks ago

"I guess no one understands us grumpy old men Jimbo!"

I'll try to be all cuddle fuzz and pretty flowers to make up for it today. I doubt that I'll succeed though. I never was very good at Disneyesque fantasies.