Court speaks.




OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a voter-approved initiative to privatize liquor sales.

The justices upheld the initiative in a 6-3 ruling. The opinion was written by Justice Steven Gonzalez, the court's newest member.

Michael J. Reitz, general counsel of The Freedom Foundation, said he received word of the ruling Thursday morning, only one day before the initiative takes effect on Friday.

Initiative 1183 allows stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller stores to begin selling liquor on Friday. Voters approved the measure last fall, and the state already auctioned off the rights to sell liquor at state stores.

However, initiative opponents filed suit, arguing that the measure violates state rules requiring initiatives to address only one subject. The measure included a provision for public safety funding.

A Superior Court judge rejected that claim, and the state Supreme Court agreed with the lower court ruling.

Reitz, who has watched the case closely, said he was not surprised by the outcome - but he was amazed at the speed with which the justices issued the ruling.

"Typically (a ruling) takes a couple of years, but they expedited review in this case," he said, issuing an opinion just two weeks after listening to arguments.

"It's extremely rare," Reitz said.