Washington Supreme Court upholds liquor initiative
May 31, 2012, 7:36 AM | Updated: 8:39 am
Many stores have stocks of liquor already on hand for June 1 when the initiative goes into effect allowing private retailers to sell liquor. (97.3 KIRO FM/Linda Thomas)
(97.3 KIRO FM/Linda Thomas)
The Washington Supreme Court has upheld a voter-approved initiative privatizing liquor sales, one day before an initiative takes effect allowing supermarkets and other large retailers to sell liquor.
Initiative 1183 allows stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller stores to begin selling liquor on Friday.
Voters approved the measure last fall, and the state already auctioned off the rights to sell liquor at state stores.
However, initiative opponents filed suit, arguing that the measure violates state rules requiring initiatives to address only one subject. The measure included a provision for public safety funding.
A judge rejected that claim, but opponents appealed to the Supreme Court. The entire measure would have been nullified if the court determines voters would have rejected the initiative without the public safety provision.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
