Washington’s tax rate on alcohol is the highest in the nation.

Washington’s tax rate on alcohol is the highest in the nation.

Regrets about alcohol privatization? We have a few

  • By Doug Parry
  • Thursday, February 18, 2016 1:45pm
  • Local News

You know how it goes. You let loose and have a few too many drinks. You tell yourself you can handle it, and if not? Well, that’s a problem for the next morning.

Washington voters had one giddy night like that in November 2011. We were getting restless in our relationship with state-run liquor stores when Costco and other retailers swooped in with their sweet talk. They wooed us with promises of cheaper prices and greater convenience, and we were seduced. Initiative 1183 won 58 percent of the vote.

Then the next morning came, and a lot of us got that queasy feeling that we’d fallen for an initiative that wasn’t that good-looking after all.

It quickly became clear that alcohol wouldn’t be any cheaper under the initiative, and four years later, we’re still paying the price – the highest price for booze in America, that is.

You might have thought the free market would bring down costs, but you know what’s immune to that? Taxes. The independent Tax Foundation says Washington’s rate of $35.22 a gallon is $12.50 higher than second-ranked Oregon. It’s triple the tax rate of the noted alcohol-friendly state of Utah and 10 times higher than people pay in California.

As for all that sweet talk from retailers? Well, it was half true. We now have the convenience of buying overpriced booze at any grocery store.

In our latest poll at HeraldNet.com, we asked whether you’d do it all again. A slim majority, 51 percent, said they wouldn’t.

But what’s done is done. There’s no running back to those old state liquor stores. And our cash-strapped state isn’t going to cut the liquor tax to anything reasonable.

No, The Man is going to keep taking advantage of us. You’d think he could at least buy us a drink first.

— Doug Parry, @parryracer

Next up, we’d like your opinion on the smoking age in the state.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Frank DeMiero founded and directed the Seattle Jazz Singers, a semi-professional vocal group. They are pictured here performing at the DeMiero Jazz Festival. (Photos courtesy the DeMiero family)
‘He dreamed out loud’: Remembering music educator Frank DeMiero

DeMiero founded the music department at Edmonds College and was a trailblazer for jazz choirs nationwide.

Provided photo 
Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
County council approves changes to ADU laws

The ordinance allows accessory dwelling units to be built in more urban areas and reduces some restrictions previously in place.

Update: Everett not included in severe thunderstorm watch from NWS

Everett could still see some thunderstorms but the severity of the threat has lessened since earlier Wednesday.

Dr. Katie Gilligan walks down a hallway with forest wallpaper and cloud light shades in the Mukilteo Evaluation and Treatment Center with Amanda Gian, right, and Alison Haddock, left, on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Partnership works to train Snohomish County mental health doctors

Compass Health works with medical students from Washington State University to provide psychiatry training. Both groups hope to fill gaps in much-needed services.

Edmonds red-light camera program begins Friday

The city has installed cameras at two intersections. Violators will receive warnings for 30 days before $145 fines begin.

Snohomish County Elections office to host candidate workshops in April

The workshops will cover filing requirements, deadlines, finances and other information for aspiring candidates.

Port of Everett seeks new bids for bulkhead replacement project

The first bids to replace the aging support structure exceeded the Port of Everett’s $4.4 million budget for the project by 30%.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.