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Two initiatives have been proposed and would serve to do away with the state’s monopoly on the sale of hard alcohol. Costco has donated more than 500,000 to the I-1100 initiative as it will profit immensely if the initiative passes. I-1105 is backed by Washington Citizens for Liquor Reforms, though neither of the two contributors toward I-1105 is an in-state LLC.

Both of these initiatives will not only change where alcohol is sold, but also the way that taxes on alcohol are collected. I-1105 directs that the current liquor taxes be ended and reinstituted once the liquor control board and the legislature create a tax system to match the new liquor-vendor situation. If two-thirds of a legislative majority cannot be found then to reinstitute alcohol taxes than the state may potentially lose out on liquor sales and tax revenues.

Costco’s signature gathering tables for Initiative 1100 have been removed. The absence of the tables infers that the conclusion that they have already collected the amount of signatures need to place the initiative on the ballot. The initiative is one of two liquor-store privation campaigns that are working to be placed on November’s ballot. Costco is 1100’s biggest support by donating about $457,000 in cash and in indirect support to the campaign. If the initiative passes Costco and other stores which hold beer and wine licenses would be able to sell hard-liquor to consumers.

Learn more about beer and wine licenses by taking our online Wisconsin Bartender License Course.