Public’s Opinions Heard at Liquor Law Hearing

(KCPW News) Yesterday afternoon Utahns again voiced their concerns about Utah's liquor laws to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Many spoke out against the state's private club laws, but Phil Wright with the Coalition for Ethics and Accountability in Government is fine with it. He said people come to Utah because of its family oriented atmosphere.

"Our existing alcohol laws have made Utah one of the safest states in the nation, with the lowest incidence of alcohol related deaths, especially among under aged drinkers. How can we justify harm, injury or even death, all for the purpose of making a few extra bucks?" Wright said.

But others countered that that Utah's alcohol abuse problems are because of a lack of parenting, and the laws don't need to be as strong. Hans Fugei with the Utah Restaurant Association said owners and guests are confused by the laws.

"We need to be careful about not just keep tweaking these laws. Very well intentioned changes have gotten so complicated that these laws are very, very difficult to understand for us and I think to enforce for you. I think it is time that we look at really overhauling the laws," Fugei said.

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will hold another public meeting next month.