Walmart pours more than $1 million into alcohol state question

Source: NewsOK

Brianna Bailey

November 1, 2016

Walmart Stores Inc. has donated more than $1.6 million to the Yes on 792 campaign, according to campaign disclosure statements filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Monday.

Yes on 792 is lead proponent of State Question 792, the largest rewrite of Oklahoma’s alcohol laws since prohibition ended in 1959. The state question would allow Walmart and other grocers and convenience stores to sell wine and full-strength, refrigerated beer. 

Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart has  funded 80 percent of the more than $2 million cash and in-kind contributions raised by the Yes on 792 campaign, according to campaign filings.

In contrast, the opposition group NO to SQ 792 has raised a total $10,495 in cash and in-kind contributions. The donors to the opposition group are a handful of liquor store owners.