Oregonians for Competition aims to get measure on 2016 ballot.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
A group of retailers called Oregonians for Competition is aiming to get a measure on the 2016 ballot that would expand liquor sales into grocery stores.
Under the group’s proposal, stores that already sell beer and wine and are in compliance would be allowed to sell spirits as well.
“Selling liquor is not a core function of government,” said initiative co-sponsor Rudy Dory, of Bend’s Newport Avenue Market, in a release. “Our coalition continues to find strong support across Oregon for getting the state out of the business of promoting and selling liquor. We believe the initiative will allow the state to focus more on enforcing liquor laws, especially those aimed at preventing the sale of alcohol to minors.”
Oregon is “one of only a handful of states that still controls the pricing, marketing, distribution and retail sales of liquor,” the group said.
(SOURCE: Portland Business Journal)
The retailers will have to secure more than 80,000 signatures to join the crowded 2016 ballot.
The measure would ban liquor sales at gas stations. It also would double penalties for selling liquor to minors and intoxicated people.
Oregonians for Competition has attempted in previous election years to pass similar measures. PACs run by Oregonians for Competition have spent millions of dollars to promote liquor privatization measures.
(SOURCE: Statesman Journal)
RELATED NEWS: Distilleries add to Oregon market; Liquor privatization ballot initiative dropped; Fred Meyer president files initiative to privatize alcohol sales
