Yeah, the banning of the alcopops really worked well did't it! Is beer at Albertsons next?

"distributors of so-called alcopops say the state's onerous regulations and labeling requirements make it too much of a bother to market them in Utah"

I would use stronger language if I could, but I'll limit myself to this: to the devil with tourists! I'm not opposed to tourism, but liquor law reform needs to be for Utah drinkers first and foremost. I just really don't want to hear the word "tourist" again in this debate. Do what's right for Utahns or don't do it at all!

That is all (for now).

All the chatter seems to be about making liquor easier to get. The choice should be left with the individual - we are all responsible for out choices.

Does anyone know about any push to increase accountability for poor choices?

We need to loosen up our liquor laws. They don't make sense. But with the dangers of driving impaired we to to update our laws here. We need to have stiff fines, loss of license and jail time the first time you are caught. You are able to drink responsible without hassle but your are held responsible for your actions the first time.

OK, How can we really believe that the LDS church doesn't have any influence on the state legislature? I think they all have hidden nose rings.

Adults who knowingly give alcohol to a minor should be punished with the same penalties as adults who give a gun to a minor. This should be included in any liquor law changes.

Geeeeeeez! They ID for beer why not keep the alcopops in local stores and ID for them too!

Utah legislatures, this is not rocket science. A first grader can figure this type of problem out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree, uncannygunman... Utah lawmakers need to do right by the Utah citizens, not by the Church. Unfortunately, in this state the legislature and church are one and the same.

I want to know why the law makers are even wondering what the church has to say.... It is not their business. The whole liquor store by the state thing just promotes a hording mentality. So if I want to have liquor on hand I need to buy a bunch in advance because I know I can only get at a certain place. So we buy more and since I have it now .... I might as well drink more.

Having lived in Utah for over 5 years as a non-Mormon, I soon learned who really runs the State. Who should be surprised?

If the Mormon Church says do it, the State does. So if the LDS Church loosens up on liquor laws, it'll happen, but not until then.

Now ask why Romney lost.

Well, now we know don't we. The LDS Church Leaders speak and the Utah Legislature acts. Who really makes the laws here?

As for those touting 'saftey issues' about drunken drivers. Lets also include Drivers that are impaired by their sweet little Texting devices. I've even seen a guy texting while riding a motorcycle. Now we're really talking dangerous.

this wasn't a "new" statement. all the church did was to clarify something that we already knew. there wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the statement.

Those that are complaining that the Church is saying, let people choose, but let's control over-consumption are not rational. Let's look at apples and apples, the Catholic church which I was a member of at one time teaches not to do anything to your body that hurts it! Over-consumption hurts it, so the fact that the Catholic church and the LDS church concurs on this subject, maybe some of you will reconsider. Oh, by the way if you are a member of a Baptist church you will listen to your leaders and their admonition will influence you, if you are Catholic what the Pope and the Vatican says will influence you unless your name is Kennedy or Pelosi of course.

I have to say the present system does not work. I've lived in Utah and I visit Utah. I don't frequent bars in my home state and don't intend to frequent bars in Utah. But I do like having a drink while waiting for a table in a nice restaurant. And I've been known to go to happy hour (at a restaurant) and have drinks and appetizers with friends. I've gone to Apllebee's and Outback in Utah when there's a 30 minute wait and the bar area (all these chains have the same layout) has been converted to dinner seating and they wouldn't sell you a beer or glass f wine anyway.

Amen, brother.

BEER ME!!!!

The reality is that you live in Utah. Here is a news flash for ya, most of Utahns are LDS. Therefore a majority of the politians elected are LDS. Nothing wrong with that. The majority has spoken. Tough luck that your opinion is not in line with the majority. Either try and change things through political action or move to where you are not so oppressed.

If you dont like it you can vote with your feet. Leave

I am from another State but I read this site almost daily. I can't understand why people are so upset or even suprised that the Mormon Church is so influencial in the State of Utah especially Salt Lake. You have to be living under a rock not to know that Utah was settled by Mormons - and is predominately Mormon because of that. If people don't like it - why do they live there. They have 49 other states to choose from.

SINCE WHEN DO OUR LEGISLATORS NEED THE MORMON CHURCH'S APPROVAL TO PASS THE LIQUOR LAW CHANGES THE HUNTSMAN ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING?

We now have unmitigated PROOF! The Mormon Church does indeed meddle in Utah's secular politics and secular issues.

And they say Utah is not a Theocratic State!

I'm sure am glad that this STATE isn't ran by the church, and that the legislative sheep don't follow what the church says

Since ice cream is harmful in large doses (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, etc.) and since millions die each year from these causes, I believe we should make ice cream more difficult to get. Private clubs for the sale of ice cream anyone? Let's see how the Mormons think when it's difficult to get their treat for Young Women's or family home evening. What a joke this state is.

What a cute little state with its cute little moral superiority complex. Our lawmakers are slaves to the Quorum of the Twelve.

If it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!!! You play all these alcohol ads in Utah about teens and alcohol, and you want to "Lax" alcohol laws? TOUGHEN THEM! If you don't toughen them then TAX ALCOHOL SEVERELY!!! What is it with people? They move here because it's a wonderful place to raise a family.... but then they want to change it to the way it was where they came from??? I came from Western NY and I came here for the change, all the change, not just part of it! I didn't want an NFL team, I didn't want to change the alcohol laws (My ex-wife did, hence she moved back after our DIVORCE!). Get a CLUE! If you compromise with Things that bring EVIL you will always LOSE! It's that simple, drinking and driving will rise, car insurance rates will rise, road death's by alcohol will rise, alcoholism will rise and so will the problem with youth drinking! I am against Banning Alcohol from the state, it's not realistic, but in a perfect state it would be nice! We all have our agency, and with that comes responsibility, so lets use it!!!

34 years for me and you are spot on my friend. If they (the Church) say jump then everyone asks "How high"? Save your breath brothers, I've heard it for years "if you don't like it move somewhere else." Problem is I do like it here despite the fact that the separation of church and state (illegal by our constitution by the way) is non-existent.

The system IS broke!! The private club issue is an unnecessary hindrance propagated by (ahem) non-drinkers. People will drink anyway, this just gives them more choices of where they can go.

This reminds me of all the clamor we heard when the state decided to allow folks to use credit cards at the state liquor stores: surely it would drive up alcohol sales. But guess what? NOTHING HAPPENED. It will be the same if they abolish private clubs.

Alcohol is here to stay -- and it's over taxed as it is. If you don't like it, don't drink it.
Idiot!

I'm confused as to why the LDS church is being mentioned as a "stakeholder" in this at all. The fact that this is even news tells me who really runs the state in spite of the wink-wink, nod-nod protestations to the contrary.

Let's ban soft drinks and ice cream! Those are the most harmful and abused substances in this state!

I did and am very happy. / Tim

Obviously you don't pay attention to anything the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve say, they just issued a statement yesterday about alcohol and it was "Alcohol friendly", at least I took it that way. It didn't embrace it, but it acknowledged it as a "Choice". I feel sorry for people like you who are so caught up in "Anti-LDS Church rhetoric" you don't even pay attention to what message it is that it says or preaches or issues.

That has been the problem since 1820 when Joseph had his Vision in the Sacred Grove. Everyone is so busy being against it, and the whole message, they never take the time to even listen! Then in 1847 the Church moves to this Desert in the middle of no where which nobody wants to be left alone, and what happens? They still get it from everyone. Even today the State is filled with "Anti-Mormons" all we want is to live in peace and have good neighbors and good communities, but NO people like you come here and complain. We listen to the 12 and embrace you. If you can't live here in peace and harmony, THEN PLEASE JUST LEAVE!

The state legislators don't need the church's approval... they need their voters approval, and like it or not, the great portion of the state is Mormon, especially when you get out of Downtown Salt Lake. So like it or not, legislator's decisions will be effected by the church, so that they can appease the people who elected them in the first place. You moved here knowing what you were getting into, so quit complaining about. It would be like me moving to an Amish community and then complaining about all the horse and buggies. It's not logical people so quit it or move.

And yet another example of how Utah's GOP Legislature is far to the right of the Church's positions they claim to champion.

i find it funny that there are always two sides and not a single person is willing to look at them both. I'm saying that only a select few do. And i mean honestly look at them and understand them. Do you really believe the mormons run this state? ha. Would it not be more of a communist setting, you know mormons making us do the bad jobs whilst they did the easy ones.. If they truly run this state then thank them for allowing you to drink, smoke, adulturize, etc etc. etc! the list goes on folks. Anyone taking a hack at their knees by saying they run us needs to think twice about how horribly opinionized and politicaly incorrect their lame, sorry tale of a statement really is. As contradictory as you sound it only adds to the stupidity and illegitimacy of yourself. Moaning and groaning, mormons mormons mormons. Who cares. There are some that are way to uptight. but who knows. ive many neighbors who are always willing to help. sure they might be trying to baptize me but atleast theyre helping. Think about it. your way to opinionated for your own good. doesnt make sense.

Nothing promotes changes in Utah like the pursuit of money. :-)

You are fast becoming the minority here. I'm staying and I'm going to continue to recruit my non-mormon friends to come here and help fight you smug imbeciles.

I think other states should require a proselyting license for anyone who wants to come into their state and go door to door to “share a message”.

I grew up with anti-Mormons and trust me on this, no matter which side of any position a Mormon takes, an anti-Mormon will condemn them for it. Hatred is hatred and there is nothing the LDS Church could do or say that would be okay to these people.

Regardless of the various messages sent by the church with regard to this and other issues, this is a government responsibility, not a church one. Legislators need to determine their course of action based on what they feel is most beneficial to their constituents, independently of the views of the predominant religion. Our government was designed to separate churches and states so that everyone's views should be considered. By basing this decision on the LDS church's view, legislators are ignoring the desires and needs of Utah's non-LDS population. At the very least, such a decision-making process is inappropriate. At worst, it creates a quasi-theocracy that ignores the needs and desires of large segments of the population.

"Oh, by the way if you are a member of a Baptist church you will listen to your leaders and their admonition will influence you, if you are Catholic what the Pope and the Vatican says will influence you unless your name is Kennedy or Pelosi of course".

So, is this a criticism of Baptists/Mormons/Catholics, elected officials who do not let their Churches dicate policy to them, or JFK and Pelosi?

I grew up with Mormons and trust me on this, no matter which side of any position a non-mormon (note, I didn't say Anti-mormon) takes, a Mormon will condemn them for it. Smugness is smugness and there is nothing sane thinkers could do or say that would be okay to these people.

Re: Jumpin Jack
It is a known fact that the predominate religion dictates the standards of the community. If you went into the Southern states you would be regulated by the majority, as would the predominate religion in the East, or Midwest. So to make the comments you do really does nothing to change things. The majority dictates the community standards. If you are a legal-aged drinker, then drink to your heart's content. The community is just trying to look out for the under-aged drinkers who may not be as responsible as you (without the slamming of someone's religious beliefs).

Re: No Win... GET OVER YOURSELF. No one hates you (or at least not everyone), they just don't like being stuck under your law in a 'free' state. They don't like your ideals being put on them and they sure as 'heck' don't like being told, 'don't like it? leave!'. HOW RUDE. I don't 'hate' you but I also don't like how rude you are.

Robert Oh: HOW FUNNY!!! Good point!

Nothing makes me feel more warm and fuzzy that driving past a bar on a Saturday night and seeing a flock of pickups and SUVs parked outside. What are all those drivers drinking inside? Shirley Temples?

I say, let 'em drink all they want--whether a pint or two of beer or a fifth of vodka. But get them home on foot, by taxi, or by public transportation. Or have their mommas come pick them up.

Re: Tim
If the Mormon church runs the state then why do they have a governor Like Huntsman? He certain acts more like a bad biker kid then a governor. I say, just keep the drunks off the road so they are not killing people before any liquor laws. And find an ADULT to be governor for this state.

You people are so ridiculous.

Everyone needs something to cry about so let's cry about the fact that a mormon state is dominated by the teachings of the mormon church. What do you expect?

Get a life! There are more important things to worry about.

Ok, now we can consider it with the blessing of the church. To me this is more than a tacit admission that the church not only interferes, but is a de facto political party, unelected, in Utah. If I dont' like it, leave? Maybe later. For now, I want to start forming the angry mob.

Even though many seem to believe this, I'm not sure everyone comes to Utah for the family-friendly environment. I think many outsiders come for the great outdoors and the jobs that are available.

I don't think it helps recruit businesses to the area when the locals are constantly telling non-Mormons they should just leave, if they don't like it here. I think we need to be more welcoming to everyone--even if it means adjusting our attitudes a bit, and our liquor laws.

Re: "Right now, we have a system that works," Valentine said.

With all due respect, Mr. Valentine, no we don't.

We have a system that essentially immunizes the "hospitality industry" from responsibility for the full consequences of its business practices.

The people and the government should not have to take on an additional burden to police drunks. That burden should fall squarely on the backs of those that make billions by catering to and enabling societal losses due to drunks -- this "hospitality industry," including brewers, distillers, and distributors.

We've got to design a system in which the real, full cost of "hospitality" is borne by the industry profiting so handsomely from it. That gives the industry incentives to prevent, rather than encourage the carnage on the roads.

A good first step would be to liberalize "dram shop" laws to place a greater burden on the "hospitality industry" for harm they directly cause or encourage.

Only then will we make a dent in the useless slaughter of 75,000 people a year -- all in the name of "having a little fun."

We're watching, Mr. Valentine.

re: Tim

"Problem is I do like it here despite the fact that the separation of church and state (illegal by our constitution by the way) is non-existent."

It is no where in the constitution!
thanks for trying

As stated above, if you don't like it, LEAVE. This state can't be the complete waste of land you people make it out to be, or you wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be growing at the rate we are. Grow up! I'm a convert, and did my fair share of partying before I was converted, and if I wanted alcohol, I just went and got it...I didn't boo hoo about all the laws. There are so many things that could be worse for you than paying a membership fee to get drunk