The Washington State Attorney General’s Office wants you to know:
Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning today reversed his March 2 ruling and upheld Initiative 1183, allowing the state to continue to implement the liquor sales initiative approved by nearly 60 percent of the state’s voters. […]
In Judge Warning’s earlier ruling, he found the initiative violated a state rule prohibiting initiatives from addressing more than one subject—also known as the “single-subject” rule—because it included the section directing $10 million of the liquor revolving fund proceeds to public safety. The state argued the source of funds and how the funds are allocated are closely connected – and therefore the section did not violate the rule.
In his decision today, Judge Warning agreed with the state.
Now the distribution industry—led by the wine giants who tried to stop the initiative—plans to appeal to the State Supreme Court.