April 25, 2011
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) recently sent $104.7 million generated from liquor sales, taxes and fees to the State Treasurer’s Office to be distributed to the state and local communities. The distribution is for the third quarter distribution of Fiscal Year 2011, which ended March 31.
Funds are sent to the State General Fund, cities, counties, and border areas, in accordance with state law. The State General Fund money is used to fund state services, education and prevention, wine and grape research, and alcohol and drug abuse research. Cities and counties use the money to meet community needs, fund alcohol prevention and education programs, and support local law enforcement.
The $104.7 million distributed as follows,*
- State General Fund: $84.7 million
- Local governments: $17.7 million
- Department of Social and Health Services: $2 million
- Washington State University for wine and grape research: $61,226
- Washington Wine Commission: $60,291
- University of Washington for alcohol and drug abuse research: $128,910
- Washington State University alcohol and drug abuse research: $85,940
- Washington State Patrol Toxicology Program: $37,500
- Youth tobacco prevention: $13,078
The funds come from seven sources:
- $58.9 million in spirit taxes (liter taxes and liquor sales taxes)
- $25.3 million in excess funds (non-dedicated revenue after expenses)
- $16.6 million in beer taxes
- $2.3 million in license fees
- $951,394 in wine taxes
- $643,575 in retail sales taxes
- $14,532 from tobacco violations
*Figures rounded to the nearest thousand
The WSLCB sends distributions at the end of each three-month quarter of the fiscal year. The WSLCB distributed $75.6 million in the first quarter that ended September 30, 2010 and $104.76 million in the second quarter that ended December 31, 2010. The fourth quarter will end June 30.
In Fiscal Year 2010, liquor-associated revenue generated $370.3 million to fund state and local services. Approximately $292.5 million was sent to the General Fund, $68.7 to cities and counties, $7.4 million to education and prevention, and $1.7 million to research.
To see how much revenue your city or county received from the Washington State Liquor Control Board in Fiscal Year 2010, visit lcb.wa.gov/about/where-your-liquor-dollars-go.
The Washington State Liquor Control Board’s mission is to contribute to the safety and financial stability of our communities by ensuring the responsible sale, and preventing the misuse of, alcohol and tobacco. The WSLCB returned $370.3 million in Fiscal Year 2010 to fund essential state and local services.