Washington Supreme Court Says Liquor Sales Initiative is Constitutional
Published on Thu, May 31, 2012 by Jessica Bowman, Litigation Outreach SpecialistRead More County & State
OLYMPIA- It is a great day for the free market. Today, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the liquor sales Initiative 1183 is constitutional. The initiative passed last fall and does away with the state’s monopoly of the liquor business.
Challengers of the initiative argued that it covered more than one subject and that some items in the initiative were not reflected in the ballot title. The arguments were not strong enough to persuade the Court.
With one day left before the law is to be fully implemented, invalidating it would have been a mess. Most stores have already been auctioned off and former employees have found new jobs.
Mike Reitz, general counsel for the Freedom Foundation commented, “We are pleased that the Court ruled that the law does not violate the constitution. It is good news for retailers and our economy. Now that the state is out of the liquor business, let competition in the market begin.”
Challengers of the initiative argued that it covered more than one subject and that some items in the initiative were not reflected in the ballot title. The arguments were not strong enough to persuade the Court.
With one day left before the law is to be fully implemented, invalidating it would have been a mess. Most stores have already been auctioned off and former employees have found new jobs.
Mike Reitz, general counsel for the Freedom Foundation commented, “We are pleased that the Court ruled that the law does not violate the constitution. It is good news for retailers and our economy. Now that the state is out of the liquor business, let competition in the market begin.”
