By Patti Mann

Special to The Reporter

For nearly three decades, I have served as a firefighter and paramedic in the Seattle Fire Department. I know firsthand how important it is to have world-class public services, especially public safety.

Our state budget problems are threatening these vital services. Now, more than ever, we need our tax dollars for public safety and local services – not liquor stores. Initiative 1183 helps meet this need with a responsible plan that provides more funds for emergency and other vital services – without raising taxes.

This is why I support YES on 1183.

Under the current monopoly system, the state imposes markups on liquor totaling as much as 67 percent – and uses nearly $100 million a year from these revenues to operate the costly state liquor store system.

I-1183 eliminates this government waste, along with the huge markups consumers and restaurants now pay. Instead, it requires distributors and retailers to pay a percentage of their sales as license fees. These combined license fees amount to a maximum of 27 percent.

The Washington State Office of Financial Management estimates that I-1183 will increase revenues that go to schools, health care, public safety and other vital services by as much as $480 million over the next six years – all this without raising any taxes. And I-1183 dedicates a portion of these new revenues to public safety programs to increase funding for local police, fire and emergency services in communities throughout our state.

I-1183 provides additional benefits by limiting liquor licenses and ensuring local control.

Grocery and retail stores must have a minimum of 10,000 square feet of fully enclosed retail space in order to be eligible to sell liquor. I-1183 also will ensure that local communities have input before a liquor license is issued to a retail store.

Because of strict requirements set by the initiative and the Liquor Control Board, the initiative will effectively prevent liquor from being sold at gas stations and small convenience stores.

The initiative also toughens liquor laws by doubling penalties and fines for selling liquor to minors. It requires a retail store to prove they can effectively prevent the sale of alcohol to minors in order to be eligible for a license, and mandates new training programs for sales staff.

It’s no surprise to me that firefighters, paramedics and police officers support a YES vote on I-1183. We all know that more funding and enforcement are key to public safety – not government liquor stores. I encourage voters to learn more about how I-1183 benefits us, our community and our state.

The YESon1183.com website contains independent analyses, research studies and important facts on the initiative. Once you read the facts for yourself, I believe you’ll agree with me that YES on I-1183 is the responsible choice.

Patti Mann is a career firefighter and paramedic who has been honored as the Seattle Fire Department Paramedic of the Year.