Morning Fizz
Five Liquor Stores for Every Starbucks
1. Tea Party candidate Clint Didier (who's challenging Dino Rossi in the de facto GOP primary) raised $220,658 in the latest fundraising period—bringing his grand total raised to $521,627.
He has $103,045 on hand.
2. Initiative roundup: With 1-1098, the high-earners income tax getting certified to make the ballot in November yesterday, three of the six initiatives that turned in signatures have now qualified. The other two that have made the ballot so far are I-1082, a Building Industry of Washington campaign to privatize workers comp and I-1100, a Costco-supported campaign to privatize liquor sales.
Still pending approval: A proposal by Tim Eyman and the Association of Washington Business, I-1053, which would re-establish the two-thirds vote requirement for the legislature to raise taxes; I-1105, another liquor privatization measure (this one is different from the Costco one in that it leaves some pricing regulations in place and wouldn't allow retailers to double as wholesalers); and I-1107, the American Beverage Association measure to repeal the new taxes on soda, bottled water, beer, and candy.
And don't forget, the legislature sent some referendums to the ballot too, including state Rep. Hans Dunshee's (D-44) plan (R-52) to authorize $500 million in bonds to fund green upgrades at public schools and a referendum, HJR 4220, to amend the state constitution to give judges discretion in denying bail.
3. If liquor privatization wins, there could be more outlets in the state selling liquor than Starbucks. The state auditor report on privatization said there would be 3300 outlets selling hard liquor. There are currently about 700 Starbucks in the state. That would be nearly five outlets selling liquor for every Starbucks.
There are currently 315 state run liquor stores.
He has $103,045 on hand.
2. Initiative roundup: With 1-1098, the high-earners income tax getting certified to make the ballot in November yesterday, three of the six initiatives that turned in signatures have now qualified. The other two that have made the ballot so far are I-1082, a Building Industry of Washington campaign to privatize workers comp and I-1100, a Costco-supported campaign to privatize liquor sales.
Still pending approval: A proposal by Tim Eyman and the Association of Washington Business, I-1053, which would re-establish the two-thirds vote requirement for the legislature to raise taxes; I-1105, another liquor privatization measure (this one is different from the Costco one in that it leaves some pricing regulations in place and wouldn't allow retailers to double as wholesalers); and I-1107, the American Beverage Association measure to repeal the new taxes on soda, bottled water, beer, and candy.
And don't forget, the legislature sent some referendums to the ballot too, including state Rep. Hans Dunshee's (D-44) plan (R-52) to authorize $500 million in bonds to fund green upgrades at public schools and a referendum, HJR 4220, to amend the state constitution to give judges discretion in denying bail.
3. If liquor privatization wins, there could be more outlets in the state selling liquor than Starbucks. The state auditor report on privatization said there would be 3300 outlets selling hard liquor. There are currently about 700 Starbucks in the state. That would be nearly five outlets selling liquor for every Starbucks.
There are currently 315 state run liquor stores.
