On December 10, KUOW’s "The Conversation," talked to Senator Tim Sheldon (D) about his latest bill attempting to privatize liquor sales by 2012.

Sheldon said there is a lot of potential revenue to be gained by selling off liquor store franchises to private buyers, noting too that it costs the state 50 million dollars a year to run and staff its 161 shops. On the other side of the argument is Rick Garza, deputy director of the liquor control board, who noted that state liquor stores have a 95 percent success rate in preventing minors from buying booze. He also cited the jobs of state employees as a reason to keep the state in control.

I have my own reasons for wanting the state to get out of the booze business, and I have a feeling they’re going to sound pretty petty after all this politicking about children’s safety and jobs and whatnot. But it bugs me that you can’t get a product listed to be sold in these stores unless there is enough to sell to all of them. Since the state controls all the stores, that means small-batch spiritmakers can only sell a very limited amount at their distilleries; the only other way to sample their products is at bars. This is so totally unfair. Imagine if you couldn’t sell a handmade dress unless you sewed enough to stock 161 boutiques!

The other thing is, the state stores are unpleasant and inconvenient. Imagine walking into a small specialty shop devoted to, say, Italian liqueurs—staffed by people knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Italian liqueurs, and who could introduce you to rare Italian liqueurs you’ve never tasted before. That would be lovely, wouldn’t it?

Download the show here, the segment begins at 34:00.