September 07, 2010
Speaking of the Liquor Control Board

I've filed a complaint with the Executive Ethics Board alleging that the Liquor Control Board, and its Deputy Administrative Director Rick Garza, have been violating RCW 42.52.180, which prohibits the use of public resources to assist political campaigns.

I allege that Garza has been using state resources to oppose Initiative 1100, traveling around the state giving presentations and disseminating false, misleading and prejudicial information against the initiative.

The alleged violation is similar to incidents where the PDC has fined public employees for using public funds to disseminate biased information supporting or opposing ballot measures affecting their agencies (e.g. school employees promoting levies).

A one-page summary of the complaint is here. The complete complaint is here. An audio recording of the presentation referenced therein is here. An amendment to the original complaint, alleging a related Liquor Board violation is here.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at September 07, 2010 02:33 PM | Email This
Comments
1. State liquor board employees see the handwriting on the wall. Reminds me of state and local government officials complaining about the loss of vehicle excise tax revenues. You get too greedy and your cash cow dries up. I don't drink much but my favorite brand has nearly doubled in price in the past five or six years. There is no excuse for that and our greedy one party (Communist) government needs to learn that lesson once again.

Posted by: Saltherring on September 7, 2010 04:49 PM
2. This is going to be like the gambling initiative. The tribes backed the no campaign with a big were protecting the children BS. The kicker was all the keep gambling out of our neighborhood signs around the Emerald Queen casino!

Already we have the "protect our communities" campaign backed by the unions and big government folks. I'm just waiting for the signs to appear in front of liquor stores.

A friend who is a liquor board employee make the comment that all a teenager has to do is slip a $20 to a quickie mart employee to get booze. The compliance with the law will go out the window, yada yada yada... No, she has not read the bills.

Posted by: Vince on September 7, 2010 06:22 PM
3. This issue gives me a great idea for a new WA State Initiative.

(Economics) I101: Indian Casinos to pay all State Sales Tax, B&O Tax, L&I, UNemployment Insurance, all excise and other BS fees, taxes and "citizen empowerment contributions" (I love that one) that the Dems screw the productive of us with.

Time for ALL of us to pay, don't 'ya think?

Posted by: James on September 7, 2010 06:51 PM
4. This issue gives me a great idea for a new WA State Initiative.

(Economics) I101: Indian Casinos to pay all State Sales Tax, B&O Tax, L&I, UNemployment Insurance, all excise and other BS fees, taxes and "citizen empowerment contributions" (I love that one) that the Dems screw the productive of us with.

Time for ALL of us to pay, don't 'ya think?

Posted by: James on September 7, 2010 06:51 PM
5. Thank you, Stefan, for trying to keep these state bureaucrats honest!

Posted by: Michele on September 7, 2010 09:07 PM
6. At one of the two liquor stores down here in Longview is a large "VOTE NO ON I-1100/1105"Sign. Unsure if it was offically put up by the store itself as it is located in a small strip mall, but I'm sure the store appericates having it right in front of the store.

Posted by: Kyle on September 7, 2010 09:35 PM
7. Kyle, you should inquire about it. If the employees put it up, then that should be dealt with.

Posted by: Michele on September 7, 2010 09:50 PM
8. Outstanding job by Stefan, to shine a bright light on what appears in all respects to be a blatant violation of RCW 42.52.180; where it sez:

''(1) No state officer or state employee may use or authorize the use of facilities of an agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition.''

Note especially the inclusion in above of the words ''or INdirectly''; i.e.:
How can this NOT be an open-and-shut case....

Posted by: Methow Ken on September 8, 2010 12:23 AM
9. Before you get all excited about signs you need to know who owns the store. Not all liquor stores are state owned.

Posted by: Vin on September 8, 2010 04:28 AM
10. James: I'll sign that one any day.

Posted by: Saltherring on September 8, 2010 05:41 AM
11. Can Stefan's case be heard before the election?

And if he wins, the Board will pay a fine out of my pocket, and keep their victory.

It's just one of the costs of running an election.

Here's a little law that I'd like to see:

Liquor shelf prices displayed without the taxes.

Then the full price is rung up at the register.

Much to the awe of the customer.


Posted by: Bart Cannon on September 8, 2010 06:02 AM
12. Ditto Saltherring @11. And nice work Stefan. I'm really glad you're on our side.

Posted by: Obama's Teleprompter on September 8, 2010 07:17 AM
13. WHAT... the government follow their own rules?
Are you nuts. That's for the little people.
LOL

Posted by: Medic/Vet on September 8, 2010 12:50 PM
14. Ihr habt eine schoene Webseite hier, und vielciht schaut Ihr euch auchmal meine an, ok Sex im Internet ist nicht jedermans Sache, aber eben meine erste Homepage. Danke und macht weiter so!

Posted by: veronikalove on September 8, 2010 08:54 PM
15. Okay, I normally delete comment spam, but #14 is too funny to delete. I have not and would not click on the link, though.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on September 8, 2010 10:46 PM
17. Не за что

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on September 9, 2010 10:19 AM
18. Thank you, Google Language Tools.

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