Liquor sale realities are sobering

The most-read article on cdapress.com last week was about a Canadian couple being charged with illegally selling liquor in Idaho.

The Calgary-based duo were tossed in the Kootenai County jail. They face possible racketeering charges and prison time of up to 10 years.

Press readers commenting on the story overwhelmingly believe Idaho State Police wasted valuable law enforcement resources in nabbing the couple, who were arrested after allegedly selling $3,350 worth of Scotch to undercover agents. Some critics allege that the husband/wife team are in jail for a victimless crime; that they are paying a ridiculous price for depriving state government of a tiny fraction of its precious liquor tax revenue.

It’s true that Idaho has a monopoly on the sale of distilled spirits, and will ardently protect that monopoly. But through the state’s statutory eyes, what the Canadian couple is accused of doing has many victims; basically, the citizens of Idaho.

In its tightly regulated structure, Idaho’s liquor sales ensure a level of responsibility that would be hard to duplicate in the private sector. In fiscal year 2019, for example, the state conducted millions of retail liquor sales transactions. There were zero citations for selling to minors.

The Idaho State Liquor Division bills itself as being citizen-owned. A quick analysis of the department’s annual financial reports gives that statement some credibility.

Last year, the division transferred more than $85 million to Idaho cities, counties, magistrate courts, community colleges, substance abuse treatment programs and the state general fund.

Close to home, Kootenai County received $2.76 million from the liquor division last fiscal year. Coeur d’Alene received $1.23 million, Hayden $456,000, Post Falls $747,000 and Rathdrum $202,000. All told, the liquor division returned $6,598,761 to Kootenai County and its cities.

Arguments can be made that government has no business competing with private industry, and that regulations sometimes go too far. But it’s also fair to say that Idaho has a strong record of responsibly controlling the sale of liquor to those who should be able to buy it while ensuring profits flow back into the services local governments provide the citizenry.

Those who don’t like that structure are free to change it — legally, of course.