More Liquor Fees For Local Watering Holes

The fellas Jim, Johnny, and José must be shaking their heads as the House passed a bill to increase liquor (wine and beer) license fees for Washington's restaurants, bars, taverns, and even trains. The booze business, is one of the few industries that is somewhat recession proof, which can be very attractive for a state that is $9 billion in the hole. Pending final approval, the bill would raise fees (and probably drink prices) nearly 10 percent, making it even harder for the local "little guys" to hang on.

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By Kim P. in News on April 22, 2009 8:45 AM

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Finn

While I can't argue with the economics of this idea (70% Washington's revenue comes from sales and associated taxes), I can say that this is going to have one unintended side effect: increased consumption of bottom-shelf liquors and more happy-hour specials. Wonderful, in order to increase the state's revenue we are going to, by proxy, up the state's burden through an increase of booze-fueled domestic disturbance calls from Kirkland after "Apple-tini Night" goes sideways. Awesome. By increasing the taxation of liquour the state of Washington is going to force bar and night club owners to keep prices low by offering drink specials and to use cheaper booze since the taxation policy will be based on the liquor that the club buys, and not overall sales price. Wheeeee! I can't wait for the wonderful alkaline and rusty coffee-can taste from the plastic handle of Pancho Villa Tequila and Dubra Vodka the next time I'm at the bar drinking away my budget deficit worries and getting punched in the head by a Happy-Hour tipsy Eastsider who had one to many Sea-Breezes.