Oregon Privatization Ballot Initiatives Dropped

June 4, 2014

 

Oregon State Liquor Store
Photo courtesy of oregonlive.com.

After failing to convince the Oregon Legislature to take up their cause, liquor privatization proponents dropped two November ballot initiatives to dismantle the state monopoly and allow grocery stores to sell liquor. Oregonians did not show much support for privatization thus far, despite the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and grocery chains Safeway and Fred Meyer pouring money into the privatization effort. Oregonians for Competition said they'll be back in the 2015 legislative session and if necessary, the 2016 ballot, but for now, the privatization battle is on hold.