Tagged: Election 2011

Costco says it will offer job interviews to any Washington state liquor worker who is displaced when stores close in June.

Now that voters have kicked the state out of the liquor store business, some people are looking forward to changes in how they buy booze. Others, though, say the decision is not cause for celebration. 

Perhaps it was the struggling economy. Perhaps it was the thought of paying triple figures for vehicle registration. But Seattle voters did something on Tuesday they don't often do: They said no to a tax increase.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The mood in state liquor stores across Washington is subdued. More than nine-hundred state employees face lay-off with the passage of Costco-backed Initiative 1183 .

Washington voters have ended nearly 80 years of state-controlled liquor sales. As of Tuesday night, Initiative 1183 was passing with 60 percent of the vote. The measure privatizes the sale of booze and closes state liquor stores.

Seattle Times reports that the second try, plus more than $22 million, was the charm for Costco Wholesale in attempting to kick the state out of the liquor business and allow private retailers to sell liquor in Washington.

Initiative 1183 was passing with more than 60 percent of the early returns, including King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties. "We are very pleased and grateful to all of the coalition members across the state," said Joel Benoliel, Costco's chief legal officer.

Tacoma News Tribune reports that Tacoma voters are easily passing citywide ballot Initiative No. 1 – the measure seeking to make “marijuana or cannabis offenses … the lowest enforcement priority of the City of Tacoma.

After initial ballot counts posted as of 8:15 p.m., 65 percent of voters (16,888) were favoring the measure, compared to 35 percent of those casting “no votes” (9,240 total).

Early election returns show Tim Eyman's anti-tolling initiative is failing.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington voters have approved a constitutional amendment that requires the Legislature to set aside cash during boom years.

Seattle voters are saying "no" to new taxes to help pay to patch potholes, improve bus service and plan for future transit needs.

Proposition 1 would've levied an extra $60 annual fee for vehicle registrations in the city. It was being defeated 60 percent to 40 percent, according to early returns Tuesday. The measure was a top priority of Mayor Mike McGinn and the City Council. It would've raised about $200 million over 10 years.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — This is the last chance for voters to have a say in this year's election. Washington ballots must be postmarked or returned to an official drop-off site on Tuesday.