Washington State Initiatives 1100 and 1105

On 10/8, in my post on the Washington State Initiatives, I had encouraged a yes vote to both Initiative 1100 and Initiative 1105.  Upon further study I have reconsidered and I am now voting NO on Initiative 1105.

My initial thought was that both initiatives would be a vast improvement over the status quo of state run liquor stores.  Though Initiative 1105 would be an improvement, the text of the Initiative in my opinion, and in the opinion of many others, is much too vague.  The lack of specifics leaves too many questions on state regulations and taxes.

Aside from being too vague, Initiative 1105 puts control over the distribution of liquor in the hands of a few private middlemen rather than letting stores purchase directly from the manufacturer as 1100 allows.  Requiring stores to purchase through a distributor just moves the process from control by a few hands in the government to control by a few hands in the private sector.  This will lead to a continuation of artificially high prices.   

Since both Initiative 1100 and 1105 require the closing of state run liquor stores, passage of either Initiative would result in a vast improvement over the status quo.  Of the two Initiatives only 1100 offers a true free market approach that is sure to reduce overregulation and to lower the current artificially high prices. 

Vote yes on Initiative 1100 and no on Initiative 1105