Two Chamber Executives Call for Liquor Privatization

In The News Tribune today, Tom Pierson and Ken Oplinger, respectively heads of the Federal Way and Bellingham/Whatcom Chambers of Commerce, called for privatizing the state liquor system. 

Instead of increasing taxes to pay for record state spending levels that have not declined since the Great Depression, we believe the Legislature should allow the privatization of liquor stores.

...Getting Washington state out of the liquor sales business would ... likely result in more state revenues and create more jobs for Washingtonians as we have seen in other states that have converted to privatization of the liquor stores. A recent report by state Auditor Brian Sonntag found that “state revenue could increase by $130 million to $244 million over the return from the current operating structure, including one-time revenue.”

Efforts by Republicans and Democrats to privatize the system this year went nowhere in the regular session, blocked by union opposition. The Pierson-Oplinger call should be heeded.