Utah Liquor Laws

In this year's version of the Utah Legislature--a ridiculously insignificant forty five days of completely ineffective "leadership" by the State's governing body--the Houses of Senate and Representatives are again tackling the issue of the so-called Zion Curtain, restrictive liquor laws that are intended to shield families from certain alcohol routines in restaurants and all such establishments.

This year there has been a movement to annul the antiquated laws as the Hospitality industry is growing larger, and year-round tourism increases. Then two days ago, a State Sen (John Valentine--R) from Orem decided that the laws had to stay because--and I quote--"Restaurants should be restaurants, and Bars should be bars." His ill-spoken remarks, meant to distinguish between family-friendly restaurants and non-family  restaurants, came across as sanctimonious and with a 'I know what's best for everyone' attitude, regardless of personal choice.

Anyhow, here's the article (by Bill Hesterman) as it appeared in the 12 March 2013 edition of the Daily Herald:

SALT LAKE CITY -- The so-called Zion Curtain won't fall for at least another year.
On Tuesday Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, introduced an omnibus liquor policy bill that brings together multiple liquor-related bills and removes the portion of one bill that sought to tear down the walls erected in restaurants to keep the public from viewing a bartender mixing a drink.
The new bill that will run through the Legislature in the final days of the session will contain language dealing with Valentine's plan to create a master liquor license for restaurant chains and stiffen the enforcement fines for restaurants that serve alcohol to minors.
"This represents a compromise between the House and the Senate for the alcohol bills this session," Valentine said.
While members of the House overwhelmingly approved the provision to tear down the wall, Valentine explained the move gave some members of the Senate heartburn. Those differences forced Valentine to create the omnibus bill to so the Legislature could pass a bill that does contain items both houses can come to terms on this session.
"I'm concerned about the culture of alcohol. And I'm concerned about changing of the atmosphere in our restaurants into bars," Valentine said.
Valentine went on to state that he feels Utahans want family-friendly restaurants and that a removal of those separate preparation areas will hinder restaurants being family-friendly.
House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, who has in the past characterized the Zion Curtain as weird, stated that she was disappointed in the Senate's decision to keep the wall. Lockhart stated that she expects the issue will return to the Legislature in the next session.
Valentine's new alcohol bill has been given early approval in the Senate. The Senate will take a final vote on it on Wednesday.

And here is my response:

"This is ludicrous.

I'm LDS, don't drink, and I see no sensible reason for the restrictions. You can't tell me that because a minor sees drinks being mixed this will lead that child to drinking. Additionally, these senseless and antiquated serving laws only stifle tourism and the increased economic benefits and tax dollars that follow.

Just because we live in Utah, don't think for one second that we don't already have an alcohol problem in our midst. Children, teens, adults...it's already here whether our leaders want to acknowledge it or not.

Time for the Utah Legislature to get is head out of the proverbial sand and join the rest of the country in the 21st Century. Instead of enforcing what are essentially stupid laws, how about focusing on prevention, communication and education about issues related to alcohol. It makes a lot more sense!

Then again, in my eleven plus years living in Utah, I have yet to see the Legislature tackle anything difficult; always going with the easiest, least effective solutions available. So really, this news comes as no surprise. Legislative inaction at its finest!

In the responses that followed, no one directly referred to my comments, but made in-kind remarks that amounted to a universal support of what I was saying. Both LDS and non-LDS see the Utah liquor laws as outdated. I just wish the State Legislature would listen to their bosses once in a while.