Booze Sales In Idaho Turns Record Profit

Booze is becoming a very profitable business in Idaho.  Idaho State Liquor Division head Jeff Anderson told the Idaho Statesman that liquor sales in fiscal year 2011 were $144 million. Though the figure hasn't been audited, it compares with $46 million in profits and $137.6 million in revenue in 2010. Anderson says Idaho's lower liquor prices may have lured more cross-border customers from Washington, but since the agency doesn't track where its customers live it can't quantify the impact. The Legislature told the agency to trim personnel costs, resulting in what Anderson called "a small reduction in force.'' Cities, counties and courts get the lion's share of liquor division profits.