This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control falling all over itself to not serve the liquor consumers (and Utah taxpayers) is costing them.
I recently returned from California, the land of high prices on almost everything except liquor. Wine and liquor is sold in the grocery stores there (including Costco) and the state collects its 8 percent sales tax while expending no money to actually sell liquor. Win-win, if you ask me.
The variety is endless, and, with the sales, the prices reasonable, all while collecting sales tax. The money I spent in California resulted in about $32 of straight tax money going into the state's coffers — California's coffers, that is.
I would "feel better" if I spent that money here in Utah, but my state either doesn't have (any more) the wines I like — or charges way too much money for them. Basic economics, folks.
If I drive to California on a regular basis (like I do), then it makes more fiscal sense for me to buy wine, liquor and beer in California.
Craig Myers
Draper