ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco and grocery retailers QFC and Safeway recently announced their support of Initiative 1100, which calls for the Washington state liquor control board to stop selling liquor and "end its prohibition-era monopoly on selling distilled spirits," the Issaquah Reporter reports.

Supporters of the proposal maintain that privatizing Washington liquor distribution and sales in Washington would boost state revenue by $86.8 million over the next five years, including the one-time $25.6 million sale of the state's liquor distribution center.

Opponents of the measure argue that eliminating price controls on liquor will lead to more consumption as well as the loss of 930 Liquor Control Board jobs.

Costco was a primary supporter of a similar proposal three years ago that failed to gain approval. For the current initiative, Costco employees in 26 stores around the state will begin collecting signatures in support of the measure.