EVERETT, Wash. - Privatizing liquor sales in Washington state hasn't brought prices down, as some hoped it would.
The cost of liquor in Washington went up six months ago, right after the changeover, and has mostly stayed that way.
The State Department of Revenue reports the average statewide price per liter of hard liquor after taxes was $24.06 in October.
That's slightly less than the average price in June, right after privatization, but it's still over 10 percent higher than the average of $21.59 at state liquor stores in October 2011.
Backers of Initiave-1183 had steered clear of claiming the plan would lower prices, but they did mention that as a potential benefit because of increased competition.
