Rocky wants Huntsman to back change in liquor laws
The mayor said changes "need to be made to put an end to not only an unreasonable imposition on so many people but (to laws that) are such a tremendous cause of embarrassment as people come from outside our state and are faced with these bizarre anachronisms."
Among those, Anderson said, the state's members-only private clubs — Utah's version of bars. He said they should be done away with, as well as the state-owned liquor stores, beer that's less than 3.2 percent alcohol and a 1-ounce limit on the alcohol in mixed drinks.
The mayor said he held an hourlong meeting in his office with members of Huntsman's transition team on alcoholic beverage control, even though he believes the incoming governor is already aware something needs to be done.
"Gov.-elect Huntsman understands the economic development impact of looking so foolish to visitors and prospective visitors," the mayor said. "If you don't have some leadership pushing these ideas it will never happen."
The governor-elect has said he sought Barberi's participation to show he's serious about listening to diverse viewpoints as he assembles his new administration. Huntsman has also said some of the state's liquor laws are difficult for visitors to comprehend.
Barberi said Friday that he agrees with the mayor's proposals and that they will be forwarded to Huntsman when the transition team makes its report to the incoming governor next week.
For his part, Barberi labeled at least some of the state's liquor laws as "really counterproductive. They don't do anything to discourage overconsumption or abuse; they just annoy" people.
Huntsman is willing to listen, Barberi said.
"The main concern of the governor when he set this committee up was the image problems the state has with regards to alcohol," Barberi said. "He's an open-minded individual who really has the best interest of the state at heart."
Barberi said he doesn't expect Huntsman to overhaul the state's liquor laws — at least not overnight. "I don't see anything sweeping coming out of this, but at least it is the beginning of a dialog dialogue that needs to take place."
The mayor said he believes his ideas will be accepted, eventually.
"Reason does prevail," Anderson said. "We've made a lot of progress over the last 30 years."
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