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SALT LAKE CITY — Just more than a third of Utahns favor turning alcohol sales over to the private sector, while slightly under a third say sales should continue to run through the state, a new poll shows.
Another 27 percent support Utah maintaining its control over hard liquor sales, while allowing private retail outlets to sell high-alcohol content beer and wine. Another 7 percent had no opinion.
Dan Jones & Associates conducted the survey of 402 registered voters for UtahPolicy.com on Nov. 4-6. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent.
Privatizing alcohol sales has come up from time to time over the years but hasn't gained much traction. Although some state lawmakers have talked about going in that direction, a House committee two years ago rejected a proposal to study the issue.
"There's definitely a libertarian streak in the Legislature that sees some difficulty with the state running a $300 million monopoly," said Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City. "And, frankly, we don't run it well."
Still, he said he's not for privatization.
Utah is doing something right with alcohol consumption, and DUI rates are consistently among the lowest in nation, Dabakis said. He prefers to get rid of some of the "weirdness" in state, including the barrier in restaurants that divides customers from alcohol pouring and a rule requiring eateries to confirm patrons intend to eat food, not just drink alcohol.
Leaders in the Republican-controlled Legislature made it clear before the 2014 session that privatizing liquor sales wasn't on the table. They've also opposed suggestions that grocery stores be allowed to sell wine and heavy beer. That won't change when lawmakers meet in January, though the House has and continues to have an interest in changing some of the restaurant laws.
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducts, licenses and regulates alcohol sales in the state. Its purpose is to make liquor available to those adults who choose to drink responsibly, but not to promote sales.
By keeping liquor out of the private marketplace, no economic incentives are created to maximize sales, open more liquor stores or sell to minors, according to the DABC website.
State liquor sales came to $347 million in fiscal 2013, up 7.7 percent over the year before, according to DABC. More than $81 million in net profits went to the state's general fund. Utah also collected $56 million in taxes from alcohol sales.
Utah is among 17 alcohol-control states and along with Pennsylvania has some of the tightest restrictions in the country.
Mismanagement prompted state lawmakers to restructure DABC in 2012, including more oversight from the governor's office. Email: romboy@deseretnews.com Twitter: dennisromboy
