Revenues from liquor sales in Utah totaled $100 million for state and local governments in fiscal 2009, up by $2 million from fiscal 2008 and $20 million more than in fiscal 2006.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control reported last week that total revenues from the state’s liquor store monopoly topped $129 million in fiscal 2009, with more than $59 million in profits that go into the state’s general fund.
The state also collected $40.8 million in taxes on liquor sales, which provided almost $14 million for public school lunch subsidies.
Liquor sales in fiscal 2009 totaled $267 million, the department said, up from $257 million in fiscal 2008.
Utah is one of 18 states that control the sale of alcoholic beverages. It operates 41 liquor stores and 100 smaller outlets.
The state is spending $35 million this year to build or expand 10 of its liquor stores to provide additional retail space.
The Legislature recently allowed the sale of alcohol in restaurants without charging patrons a private-club membership fee, but only 12 liquor licenses will be available in the first year of the new law for the 150 expected applicants.
