The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Costco expects to be packaging signatures in bulk when the wholesale chain starts collecting names on an initiative to take Washington state out of the liquor store business.
Costco plans to set up tables this week at its 26 stores in the state, staffed by employees who are registered voters. They’ll be asking shoppers to sign Initiative 1100.
It would allow stores that now sell beer and wine to also sell hard liquor. It would eliminate price controls and allow volume discounts. Retailers could buy liquor directly from manufacturers.
Two years ago, the Issaquah-based company lost a court battle that could have changed Washington’s beer and wine distribution rules.
The initiative needs about 242,000 signatures by July 2 to make the November ballot.
