Washington Policy Center: Did liquor privatization increase DUIs and alcohol related arrests?

July 16, 2013

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By Jason Mercier

No. Based on the latest numbers, the alcohol infused Armageddon that we were warned about if voters approved I-1183 ending the state’s nearly 80 year old-liquor monopoly was more of a scare tactic than based on the actual experience of the 33 states across the country with private liquor sales.

Here is data provided by the Washington State Patrol:

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Does that mean we should rejoice at the still high number of alcohol related arrests and accidents? No, but maybe, just maybe, Washingtonians are a little more responsible than opponents of I-1183 gave them credit for.

Here are the most recent compliance check numbers provided by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

While the potential public safety problems of liquor sales privatization appear to have been oversold, the amount of revenue generated from private liquor sales was undersold.

Here are the updated state liquor tax collections according to the Department of Revenue.

Give then fact liquor tax revenues are exceeding expectations and remembering the state’s notorious ranking for the highest liquor taxes in the country, lawmakers should revisit what the appropriate level of liquor taxes and fees should be.

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