PORTLAND, Ore. — A group led by Oregon grocery stores filed initial paperwork Monday that could lead to a ballot measure asking voters whether to privatize liquor sales.
The organization called Oregonians for Competition said in a statement that it's filed five proposed initiatives and will select one to move forward with. The initiatives differ in details, but all would allow liquor sales in stores that already sell beer and wine and are at least 10,000 square feet. Existing liquor stores would be allowed to stay open, and some smaller shops like wine specialty stores would be able to sell liquor.
"The initiative will end the state's outdated liquor store monopoly system and allow distilled spirits to be sold safely and responsibly in retail stores just like they are in most other states, while at the same time strengthening our state's liquor laws," Melinda Merill, a spokeswoman for Fred Meyer Stores, said in a statement.
The grocers say their initiative would stiffen penalties for selling alcohol to minors or people who are intoxicated.
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