State monopoly must come to an end

Why is the Liquor Control Board actively involved in the sale and distribution of alcohol and cigarettes? It seems that despite the original intent back in 1933, when the Steele Act allowed for the creation of the board to set tough standards during the post-prohibition era, the LCB has emerged as a government owned monopoly that appears to be more concerned about profit than the health of our citizens.

The LCB has more than 316 stores and hundreds of employees selling liquor and tobacco products. In the history and overview video on the LCB’s Web site, the narrator boasts of raising more than $140 million in profit annually. Also pointed out was that the taxes on most alcohol products are typically more than three times the cost of the product. Every bottle of liquor must go through the state’s distribution point, adding to the operating cost that the consumer pays.

I think there is a legitimate reason for the existence of the LCB, but I do not think that reason is to sell liquor for profit. The LCB should discourage use, not promote it. It’s time for the state to end the monopoly on liquor sales and concentrate on enforcement and education. I’m not sure if the prevention measures have been effective because we have not seen a noticeable decline in teen smoking, drinking or drunk driving related fatalities. Now they plan to cut funding for the prevention programs to save money.

Only 18 states still have LCBs. Turning the sale and distribution process over to the private sector will create new job opportunities and consequently more tax revenues. Having the LCB urge you not to drink is like having the having the state lottery commission tell you that you should not gamble. It’s not about you. It’s about getting your money!

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, Feb. 9

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

A young man carries water past the destroyed buildings of a neighborhood in the Gaza Strip, Feb. 2, 2025. President Donald Trump’s proposal to “own” the Gaza Strip and transfer its population elsewhere has stirred condemnation and sarcasm, but it addresses a real and serious challenge: the future of Gaza as a secure, peaceful, even prosperous place. (Saher Alghorra/The New York Times)
Comment: ‘Homeland’ means exactly that to Gazans

Palestinians have long resisted resettlement. Trump’s plan to ‘clean out’ Gaza changes nothing.

Rent stabilization can keep more from losing homes

Thank you to The Herald Editorial Board for its editorial, regarding rent… Continue reading

Don’t pamper young criminals with lenient sentences

I want to give a shout out to Todd Welch for his… Continue reading

Comment: Democracy depends on support of local journalism

A state bill provides funding to support local news outlets through a modest tax on tech businesses.

Comment: Love is intoxicating; romance doesn’t have to be

Navigating sobriety while dating, with Valentine’s Day coming up, is possible and fulfilling.

Comment: State attempt at single-payer health care bound to fail

Other states have tried, but balked when confronted with the immense cost to state taxpayers.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

Forum: Requiem for a lost heavyweight: Sports Illustrated

SI, with Time and NatGeo, were a holy trinity for me and my dad. Now, it’s a world of AI clickbait.

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.