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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- A state lawmaker is pursuing legislation that would privatize the retail sale of liquor in Utah, saying the current system is "anti-capitalist" and "anti-free market."

The Standard-Examiner of Ogden reports Rep. Ryan Wilcox of Ogden is considering the legislation because he thinks the private sector can operate much more efficiently than the government.

Under current state law, liquor is sold through state-owned stores staffed by state employees.

The Legislature recently cut $2.2 million from the budget of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which oversees all of the state's liquor stores. As a result, as many as 10 profitable liquor stores may be closed.

But Wilcox says closing profitable liquor stores does not make sense, and he wants the state out of the retail liquor business.

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(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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