SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Oregon liquor dealers and lobbyists are looking northward this fall to Washington state, where two competing initiatives would privatize liquor sales.
If either passes, Oregon would be the last "control" state on the West Coast. "Control state" means the government has a monopoly on hard liquor, which is sold at retail through 243 stores run by liquor agents.
The group's lobbyist tells the Eugene Register-Guard that passage might give Oregon reason to re-examine its system. Agents have bridled against the state's regulations. They can sell limes but not peanuts, for example, and prices are fixed.
Although Republican governor candidate Chris Dudley is calling for privatization, the liquor agents aren't necessarily going so far as to call for unlimited competition, however.
