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Linda says ye$ on I-1100: A look at where we’ve put our money this election

Politics does make for strange bedfellows. Or Oddfellows. Linda Derschang’s food and drink empire finds itself allied with the likes of Costco in its support for I-1100, one of two initiatives on November’s ballot to privatize liquor sales in Washington State. Not only has Derschang lent her face and name to the effort (check out the commercial she appeared in, below), she has helped bankroll the initiative by donating $1000 to the cause in the name of each of her four Seattle bars ($250 each). But she’s not the only one around Capitol Hill putting her money where her mouth is. CHS looked at state records for contributions to initiatives and ballot measures from the Hill’s three main ZIP codes, 98102, 98112 and 98122. Here’s what we found.

First, a reminder of what’s on this November’s ballot. The links will take you to http://wa.electionland.com/ for more information.

Derschang’s contributions don’t rank in the top 10 of Capitol Hill area contributors. Here’s the list of biggest givers in the three ZIP codes. All totals are through September 28 and includes any “in kind” giving of services, etc. in addition to cash. Top contributor Dean Allen is the CEO of Seattle construction giant McKinstry and has a Madison Park address. He threw his cash behind the R-52 bond measure that would finance construction and repair projects at schools across the state.

Here is a look at how the initiative committees rank in terms of financial support in our area. Our biggest outlays support two of the more socially minded items on the November ballot. The group Washingtonians for Education Health & Tax Relief supports 1098’s push to institute a state income tax for people who earn more than $200,000 or joint filers who earn more than $400,000. You’ll note the list also includes the Sensible Washington group that failed in its effort to bring a marijuana decriminalization initiative onto the ballot. In the second table below, we’ve shown the top five contributors for each committee.

We also rolled up the 94 contributors in the dataset by employer. Our favorite mix of businesses is for the supporters of Sensible Washington. Even though the group’s initiative didn’t make the ballot, we think any political union that brings together Boeing, the City of Seattle, Netmotion Wireless and Car Toys can’t be all bad.


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twilightexitllc
twilightexitllc
13 years ago

I’ve always been indifferent to Linda’s hipster bars. Oh but how quickly we forget our roots. I-1100 mainly helps big businesses such as Costco and Safeway…as well as larger bars that can use their buying power to get lower prices than most others. Way to stick it to the little guy, Linda. Screw you, Linda. Screw you, Tom Douglas. And, screw everyone else in that commercial. I hope you all catch a bad rash or worse from being in the hot steamy pocket of big business. Sure, the way it is now isn’t perfect, but let’s not cut off our whole hand because of a little hangnail.

AJ
AJ
13 years ago

Linda cries and cries and cries about Starbucks horning in on the little guy, but supports a measure that will kill small businesses on the Hill that aren’t her own (viva buying power!).

Linda whines about safety on the Hill, but supports an initiative that will gut public safety and enforcement of liquor-related safety laws?

What a parasite.

Mike's Bar
Mike's Bar
13 years ago

True, the system really stink’s right now and the prices are pretty lousy. But do you absolutely need to go into the store and buy liquor at 1 AM? Or only have the cash to buy the micro airplane size bottles for $4+?

The folks in this commercial (and I go to Linda’s bars all the time) have “made it” in the restaurant biz..they are not struggling, will totally survive even a double or triple dip recession, and not to blame them, want to firmly entrench themselves and make tons more profit from alcohol sales–believe me as a small bar owner they know EXACTLY how much more they will make if this initiative passes. Its a deeply flawed initiative and one that will ultimately, ‘cos more damage than good.

I agree with the above poster, its been a story we’ve seen repeated throughout history and especially in this town…once you’ve made it screw not just the competition, but everyone else. I think i’ll avoid Linda’s and their $13 post-9p pitchers and $9 Jameson’s for awhile.

BottleNeck
13 years ago

Read the self-service fine print here: if this initiative passes, bars and restaurants will be able to seek volume discounts from Costco – a practice which is currently illegal in our state. The individuals in this ad own some of the largest booze-selling businesses in Seattle. The sheer magnitude of their liquor buys — and perhaps their public support of this initiative itself — will allow them to obtain the greatest discounts from Costco, the largest fiscal backer of this initiative. This had nothing to do with the consumer’s ability to buy liquor at 11 PM from a local grocery store. It has everything to do with the elimination of fair playing field so that the largest entities dominate by paying less for liquor.

twilightexitllc
twilightexitllc
13 years ago

Look what happened when banks were deregulated.

suck it, beer barons
suck it, beer barons
13 years ago

Everything you said just now is wrong.

kb
kb
13 years ago

is there another industry that doesn’t work this way? you buy more of something you get a discount. should some tiny restaurant be able to complain that dick’s gets to buy their beef cheaper than they can? besides, i’m not sure anyone makes their decision on where to go drink based on whose cocktail is $.25 cheaper.

twilightexitllc
twilightexitllc
13 years ago

And wouldn’t it be great is the booze industry in WA turns out just like the Big Meat industry did. And that’s an industry that is regulated. Imagine if it wasn’t.

Fart
Fart
13 years ago

This commercial makes me sick with the LIES it tells. I-1100 will NOT create new jobs. And it will not help small businesses. Privatization of state enterprises NEVER results in lower prices. Get ready for the price of booze to be jacked up.

amy
amy
13 years ago

Wow…! You’ve been busy. Nice work, Justin.

Lisa2010
Lisa2010
13 years ago

You forgot to mention that WALMART gave $40,000 to the 1100 campaign. So let’s look at Linda’s $1000 and Walmart’s $40,000. Who do you think is going to benefit more from I-1100 – Linda or Walmart?

And by the way, Linda and Tom Douglas just lost me as a customer for their Walmart-backing ways.

Even if you like the idea of liquor deregulation these initiatives are not the way to do it. They completely deregulate alcohol, so every gas station can sell cheap vodka from 6am until 2am every day. More access to easy hard liquor means more alcohol related crimes, things like theft, drunk driving, underage drinking and domestic violence. They cost our cities and counties, which means more cuts to cops and safety right when we need them most.

You should check out http://protectwashington.org

I’m voting NO on 1100. And 1105.

kage3000
kage3000
13 years ago

Linda is a cougar. I always knew it.

js
js
13 years ago

Nice post, can I subscribe to your newsletter?

kage3000
kage3000
13 years ago

I’m no stranger to passive sarcasm. And yes you can. I’m here all night (as long as I don’t get fired for it).

The B-list
The B-list
13 years ago

True, the state should get out of the liquor business, but both these initiatives are crappy. Good story on Marketplace about Virginia tryingt o do the same thing to much resistance…Me and my friends will make a point to avoid these establishments represented in this ad for a long while…so old to see a consensus within such an odd group, but as we know politics and more likely in this case MONEY make strange bedfellows.

Linda has gone a long way from struggling used clothing shop owner in my hometown of denver to restaurant mogul..too bad living in a lovely place in NYC and jetting in to take care of business has helped her forget the everyday struggle of many in this state and town.

And Tom Douglas? Jesus, how much more money do you need for christsake? You already got designer spices, designer kitchens, designer community fish fry…hell relax brother, you damage yourself by appearing in this ad!

It is and will always be gay or straight, about the money.

Exit Domina
Exit Domina
13 years ago

Coming from Las Vegas, easy alcohol access is something I sorta miss. You can get a bottle of whatever any time of day or night at any grocery store. I’ve never really bought into the idea that easier access to vices makes people act radically different – folks are gonna do what they’re gonna do – and I have signed the petition to get I-1100 on the bill.
That being said, after watching the ad and doing a bit more research about who this bill is helping and hurting, I think I will vote against it. I agree that this is not the right way to deregulate alcohol, and I think a lot more good could come from privatizing sales if more small, independent buyers were being considered in the equation. As it stands, this bill is mostly just helping fat cats get fatter.
Let’s see something in conjunction with higher fines/jail times for drunk drivers, and more revenue from alcohol sellers & distributors going to school drug education programs and community outreach.

PS, I never drink at Linda’s: the servers are so rude! I’m simply not cool enough to be there, so unfortunately, neither is my cash. (You can find me at the Stumbling Monk, Twilight Exit or the Highline!)