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McKenna Says He Supports I-1183
Washington State Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna says he supports I-1183, the Costco-backed liquor privatization measure.
This may not seem too surprising because it's the standard Republican position. (His Democratic opponent, US Rep. Jay Inslee is against the measure.) McKenna said this morning that he didn't buy the fears that privatizing booze would cause more social ills such as increased teen drinking.
He also said passing the measure would bring in more money for the state. That last part is true, according to an analysis by the Office of Financial Management—which said state revenues would increase by around $230 million and about $200 million to local governments. But that point contradicts McKenna's blase take on increased drinking problems: The increase in revenue is predicated on the increase in booze sales.
McKenna said:
The Stranger's Slog posted video a few weeks back of McKenna saying in 2010 (re: last year's measure) that he was concerned that privatization would increase kids' access to alcohol.
Meanwhile, two curve balls here: McKenna has actually gotten top-notch donations from the main opponents of the initiative, both the national and local beer and wine distributors associations, including a personal check from the national chairman. Meanwhile, Inslee has gotten maxed-out donations from Costco. Moreover, Costco hasn't given to McKenna and the beer and wine folks haven't given to Inslee. (Costco has donated more than $20 million to the liquor privatization, a record-setting number for state measures.)
Here is PubliCola's take on I-1183.
It's also worth noting that Republican McKenna surprised some people last month by coming out against conservative ballot measure hawker Tim Eyman's I-1125, a tolling initiative that would prevent variable tolling rates (different rates at rush hour and midday), force tolls to only pay for roads (not transit), and stop light rail from crossing I-90. McKenna said Eyman's initiative would be bad news for traffic management.
This may not seem too surprising because it's the standard Republican position. (His Democratic opponent, US Rep. Jay Inslee is against the measure.) McKenna said this morning that he didn't buy the fears that privatizing booze would cause more social ills such as increased teen drinking.
He also said passing the measure would bring in more money for the state. That last part is true, according to an analysis by the Office of Financial Management—which said state revenues would increase by around $230 million and about $200 million to local governments. But that point contradicts McKenna's blase take on increased drinking problems: The increase in revenue is predicated on the increase in booze sales.
McKenna said:
I have looked at the research from other states which have changed their approach to liquor sales, and apparently you don't see an increase in the social problems we should all be concerned about, such as increased DUIs and youth access to alcohol. I-1183 will toughen the penalties for sales to minors.
The Stranger's Slog posted video a few weeks back of McKenna saying in 2010 (re: last year's measure) that he was concerned that privatization would increase kids' access to alcohol.
Meanwhile, two curve balls here: McKenna has actually gotten top-notch donations from the main opponents of the initiative, both the national and local beer and wine distributors associations, including a personal check from the national chairman. Meanwhile, Inslee has gotten maxed-out donations from Costco. Moreover, Costco hasn't given to McKenna and the beer and wine folks haven't given to Inslee. (Costco has donated more than $20 million to the liquor privatization, a record-setting number for state measures.)
Here is PubliCola's take on I-1183.
It's also worth noting that Republican McKenna surprised some people last month by coming out against conservative ballot measure hawker Tim Eyman's I-1125, a tolling initiative that would prevent variable tolling rates (different rates at rush hour and midday), force tolls to only pay for roads (not transit), and stop light rail from crossing I-90. McKenna said Eyman's initiative would be bad news for traffic management.
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