Rep. Pollet Proposes Bill Requiring Retailers to Post Cost of Liquor with Taxes

Arguing that sticker prices for hard liquor are now "deceiving for shoppers," State Representative Gerry Pollet (D-46) sent a notice to reporters today asking stores to voluntarily post the full price of booze, including sales and excise taxes, the same way state-run stores used to. If they don't voluntarily comply by the time Washington State's legislature convenes in January, Pollet says, he "will introduce legislation to require disclosure to consumers."

News intern Joesph Staten reported last week that the cost of liquor at Capitol Hill grocery stores appears far lower than state stores. But when taxes are added at the register, the actual price is about 6-12 percent higher than state stores. The state stores closed on June 1.

"Everyone was eagerly awaiting it and now people wonder, did I get ripped off?" Pollet says by phone. "Did I vote for the right thing?"

"The market is broken if you have to use a calculator to figure out how much of a liter is in a fifth, add on the taxes, and compare the price between one store and another," he says. "This is a classic case for consumer disclosure.”