Back in 2005 the state legislature approved a trial program that allowed 20 state liquor stores and 38 state-contracted liquor stores to be open on Sundays. Per published reports, Sunday sales during this program are expected to exceed profit projections by 56 percent.

That’s why the Washington State Liquor Control Board will let 29 more state stores do business on Sundays, starting in July.

Also, the legislature axed a 42-cent-per-liter surcharge on booze that also was enacted in 2005. After the surcharge is removed, our state’s excise tax on distilled spirits will still be $19.39 per gallon, the highest in the nation. Eighteen other states run their own liquor store, the average excise tax is just $9.59 per gallon.

David Ozgo, chief economist for the Washington, D.C.-based Distilled Spirits Council, said dropping the tax is a move in the right direction for Washington, which has higher excise taxes on liquor than any other state.

Related posts:

1. Booze gets slightly cheaper on Sunday maybe
2. Spin the Bottle…
3. dept. of dubious achievements
4. Tim Eyman’s Back, With More $30 Initiatives
5. Have a taste of the good stuff