Reason Writers Around Town: Anthony Randazzo on Alcohol Regulation and the 2010 Elections

Writing at FoxNews.com, Anthony Randazzo of the Reason Foundation and Jason Mercier of the Center for Government Reform explain how 77 years after the end of prohibition the battle of the "wets" versus the "drys" is alive and well in those states considering ending their government monopolies over the sale of liquor.

Read all about it here.

Comments

[Vesman]

Will we ever be free?

[SugarFree]

No. Now shut up and do as you're told.

[Paul]

Washington is trying to get the State out of the liquor monopoly with two initiatives. Here's The Stranger's take, a newspaper which swings wildly between liberal and progressive:

I-1100 and I-1105
Both of these initiatives seek to do away with the state's monopoly on the sale of hard alcohol, which sounds like a great idea?and probably is, in theory. Vodka in grocery stores. Hooray! I-1100 is backed mainly by Costco, which has put in more than $500,000 for obvious reasons; it stands to make a killing on booze sales if this thing passes. I-1105 is backed by Washington Citizens for Liquor Reform?a group of people who don't seem to be actual Washington citizens (the two contributors to its $400,000 war chest are both out-of-state LLCs). Spokesperson Charla Neuman objects to this characterization: "I'm a citizen," she said. "Not everyone who's part of the coalition has to fork over dough. We like people without money, too." Whatever the case, I-1105 has similar aims to I-1100. One problem: Both of these initiatives have the potential to fundamentally alter not just where booze is sold but also the way that taxes on booze are collected. For example, I-1105 directs that the current liquor taxes be ended and then later reinstituted once the liquor control board and the legislature rejigger the tax system to match the new liquor-vendor reality. Now imagine what happens if Eyman's I-1053 passes and one of these liquor-tax-altering initiatives passes. Are we really ever going to find a two-thirds legislative majority for reinstituting booze taxes? Or is the state going to permanently lose a chunk of its liquor sales and tax revenue?currently around $330 million a year?and the social services and public projects that go along with that? "Well," said Neuman. "That's a question I have not yet been asked."

[Nick]

I find it impossible to believe the state will not figure out a way to tax alcohol no matter who sells it. 2/3? I'd be surprised if it wasn't 100% in favor.

[ChrisO]

I like the subtle swipe at Costco. Heavens, we wouldn't want anyone to make any evil corporate profits, now, would we?

Funny thing is, hard alcohol isn't one of those things that individuals typically buy in bulk (college students and winos excepted). As such, Costco is going to be a lesser choice compared to a closer store for many people who need a fifth of something.

Having in the hooch in grocery stores everywhere makes a lot of sense, though, which is undoubtedly why it's illegal in so many places.

[John Thacker]

This and the newspaper reaction to Prop 19 reveals the sad, pathetic "Progressive" philosophy that is so common in the Democratic establishment.

Freer alcohol-- but what about the taxes? (Used in VA, WA, and everywhere else) Freer pot-- we can't give any sort of nod to federalism.

[David Crawford]

God I hate the fucking state of Washington's liquor stores.

Go in on a Thursday afternoon, no other customers than you, and there are four employees standing around.

Go in on a Saturday night, there are customers in line from the check-out stands all way to the back of the store. That's b/c there are exactly two employees working, slowly, at the check-out stands. Never mind that there are four check-out stands.

Blow it up, please. I'll take any replacement system you can think of as it could not be any worse than the current one. Even during prohibition your local neighborhood bootlegger offered better service.

[Paul]

Up until about a year ago, when you ran your card, you could hear a 28.8k modem* in the back get dialtone, dial, a carrier signal, then your transaction would go through... slowly... while the person behind the counter would nervously smile at you.

I made note of the high-tech proceedings to the employee once... she shrugged.

*ok ok, it was probably a 56k modem.

[Lone Wookie]

What we need is a "proposition" that will give the states the authority to tax and regulate alcohol. Everybody wins!

[Paul]

As special treat, you can meet Great Hero of Washington State, this weekend only at Downtown store!

Bring kids! Bring vife! Bring goat!

[James Ard]

My town finally voted full wet last month. Not that I couldn't already grab a bottle of whiskey on a Sunday a half mile from home.