The Utah Hospitality Association, a trade group for bars and restaurants, is asking a federal judge to block Utah legislators from considering input from the Mormon church when drafting future liquor laws.
The UHA contends that considering the views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unconstitutional under federal laws separating church and state.
Hospitality association attorneys originally filed the lawsuit in June. It targets Senate Bill 314, which bans daily drink specials and ties the number of liquor licenses to population totals and the number of state-employed police officers.
Association attorneys say eliminating discount pricing for alcohol amounts to price-fixing that harms both consumers and businesses. They contend such limits on competition in liquor sales and distribution places an unfair restraint on trade that violates federal antitrust laws.
The lawsuit also contends that a pair of church lobbyists had “warned” lawmakers that “there would be repercussions” if they disagreed with the church’s position on the legislation. Court papers don’t specify what those repercussions would be.
Pompeiisneaks says
November 3, 2011 at 4:17 pmBeing from this wonderful state, all I can say is its so frustrating to not be able to get anything more than 3.2% beer on tap, and to be limited to what we can get by the state liquor stores, they don’t go around getting great beers from around the states and anything over 3.2% has to be bottled and bought from the state liquor stores, or bought in the bottles at the limited number of bars allowed a liquor license. The state has decided I don’t deserve an amazing choice of awesome brewed beers, only those made by the hardy few brewers here in the state that put up with these stupid regulations. Anyone have any suggestions on how we can fight the good fight against Utah’s Mormon liquor strangling regulations?
BigWilley says
November 3, 2011 at 5:39 pmNot to mention that the state run liquor stores dont refrigerate anything unless things have changed since I called Utah home back in the day 1996-2002. Utah brewers should be commended for the great job they do despite all the BS
Pompeiisneaks says
November 3, 2011 at 5:49 pm100% correct, warm beer in the beer store, they don’t want you getting drunk too fast, you have to take it home and chill it first!
also, I don’t get the logic… alcoholics are going to drink warm alcohol anyway, it doesn’t stop ANYTHING. heh
CedarCreek says
November 4, 2011 at 4:12 amYou can go get the cheapest vodka and some ice and drink it in no time at all. This beer that costs 8-10 a six pack… that’s what the alcoholics will drink. ;). It is so confusing. Of course we are working in TX and the label laws here are just as bad.