It isn’t exactly a landslide but Initiative 1183 has a lead in the first Washington Poll looking at statewide ballot measures.

Of those surveyed between Oct. 10 and Oct. 30, 50 percent said they intended to vote for the measure that would privatize liquor sales in Washington. Forty three percent said they opposed the measure.

Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1125 doesn’t fare as well. Despite having big leads in earlier polls conducted by other pollsters, the Washington Poll has the measure even – 41.4 percent in favor of the measure, 40 percent against, with 19 percent undecided. It would require the …

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Both sides of the expensive liquor-privatization battle are trying their best to say it’s the other guys.

Opponents were the first to make Costco’s nearly $23 million in campaign contributions an issue, and supporters are firing back over the $11 million raised by opponents, mainly from national liquor distributors.  Here are new ads from both sides:

National distilleries launched a television ad today that criticizes Initiative 1183’s privatizing of the state-run liquor monopoly, while still saying it is neutral on the issue of privatization.

See the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States’ ad here, which comes as Costco has donated a state record $22.5 million to push I-1183 to passage.

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Gov. Chris Gregoire is starting her press conference outlining about $2 billion worth of budget cuts. The list includes a suspension of prescription drugs for adults in Medicaid, ending Basic Health and medical coverage in the Disability Lifeline.

Gregoire also identifies another $2.2 billion in alternative cuts she is rejecting for now. In comments embargoed until the Democratic governor begins speaking, her office quotes here as saying “Washingtonians are going to get a lot less of what they need.’’

Some highlights Gregoire says are likely to be in her November budget rollout:

** “Eliminate the Basic Health Plan, ending subsidized

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Tim Eyman, sponsor of the toll-limiting Initiative 1125 this year, has filed suit in Whatcom County against state Treasurer Jim McIntire over the state’s handling of elements of last year’s I-1053. Among other things, I-1053 required the Legislature to set tolls, but lawmakers delegated that authority to the Transportation Commission, which typically does that job.

Advocates with the AARP of Washington said last night in a joint press release with other eldercare groups that Gov. Chris Gregoire’s outline of $2 billion in budget cuts will shred the state safety net for the vulnerable.

WHAT THE CAMPAIGNS SAY: An ad targeting Tim Eyman‘s toll initiative says it would transfer power to politicians.

An Eastern Washington farmer tells viewers:

Tolls in Washington State are set by an independent commission made up of experts, but if Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1125 passes, it transfers that power to politicians in Olympia, making Washington the only state in the country to give them that authority. And 1125 increases bonding costs of road projects by up to 18 percent, meaning higher tolls and higher gas taxes. So more costs for us, and more power for them.

Eyman’s side hasn’t been …

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Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to reopen two-year labor contracts with state employees soon in a quick bid to lower state payments for health care benefits.