Oregon LCC Pressured to Expand Alcohol Sales

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Under pressure from liquor store owners and retailers, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission recently assembled a task force to make recommendations to the legislature for expanding alcohol sales in the state. Options under consideration include increasing the sales commission to current liquor store owners, allowing large box stores to sell spirits, and allowing small specialty stores to sell spirits. The Northwest Grocery Association (NGA), leaders in the Washington State privatization campaign, is threatening to launch a ballot initiative to overturn the entire state system and privatize all alcohol sales. So far, Oregonians have resisted the NGA's rhetoric, taking their cue from the privatization fiasco in Washington State and the distributors, small distillers, and brewers in Oregon who benefit from the state-controlled system.