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Terry Marasco: State liquor stores are a loss by our leaders

The Utah Legislature is a misguided business operator. While the Utah state-controlled liquor stores have been high earners, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (created and regulated by Legislature) has a knack for losing money, and more importantly, preventing making serious money.

The change to 5.0 beer caused the DABC to dump $10,500 worth of beer into the landfill as a result of state law. The loss was wholesale cost. However, the retail value was over $15,000 if sold in the market. And, furthermore, the state lost the sales tax revenue by tossing the beer. Glasses down.