|
Drinking rules 酒品销售条例 ALMOST 80 years after the repeal ofProhibition, the sale of wine and spirits remains partly or wholly in government hands in a thirdof Americas states. But in these tough times economic considerations are starting to outweighmoral concerns. On November 8th Washingtons voters approved plans to privatise the states328 liquor outlets and open the business to warehouse stores and supermarkets. Budgetplanners think the change could bring in an extra $80m a year from licence fees. The victory forthe Yes campaignsecured with $22.5m from Costco, a warehouse-store chain, the recordfor a donation to a Washington ballot initiativereduces the number of controlled states to17, following similar moves by West Virginia and Iowa years ago. Other states consideringopening the spigots include North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. 在禁酒法案废止近80年后，美国有三分之一州的白酒或葡萄酒销售权部分或者完全的掌握政府手中。但是在经济困难时期对经济的考量超过了道德约束。11月8日，华盛顿进行投票，计划将全国328个白酒分销机构私有化，同时不再限制大商场及超市的白酒销售。预算案的制定者认为此举将带来八千万美元的额外许可费收益。美国批发巨头 COSTCO投入2250万美元用于推动解除酒类销售限制的运动，它的胜利使得美国对酒品销售实行控制的州减少到17个，此前几年弗吉尼亚州和爱荷华州均取消了对酒类销售的限制。 | 
