Posted on 07/01/2009 7:53:40 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — For the last 40 years, dropping into a bar in Utah has been a complicated affair: Patrons have to fill out an application, pay a fee and become a member before they can go in for a drink.
It is one of several restrictive rules governing alcohol consumption in Utah that made the heavily Mormon state one of the toughest places in the nation to get a drink.
But some of that will change on Wednesday when a new state law kicks in eliminating the need for people to become members of bars to go inside.
"I've owned clubs for eight years now, and I never thought this was going to happen," said Jason Rasmussen, owner of A Bar Named Sue. "This is huge."
Bars and drinkers are so thrilled by the new rules that they are planning what is expected to be the largest pub crawl in state history Wednesday, complete with free shuttle buses and taxis to 16 bars to commemorate what some are calling Private Club Independence Day.
The change is being made in an effort to make the state more appealing to tourists and to give businesses and employees considering moving here one fewer reason to stay away.
"We're rolling out the welcome mat to the world," Gov. Jon Huntsman, a nondrinking Mormon, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Huntsman wanted to scrap the private club system to improve economic development ever since taking office in 2005, but it wasn't politically feasible until he won a second term in November by the largest margin in state history.
Huntsman had pledged not to seek a third term and was willing to spend political capital in a state primarily comprised of teetotalers to usher in the changes.
About 60 percent of
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I remember having to do this in San Angelo, TX in 1984. Wonder if they ever changed?
There are still dry counties (and even dry neighbordhoods) in Texas. Often around Dallas but there are several blocks in the Heights in Houston where you cannot sell beer/alcohol at a restaurant or coffeehouse or even grocery store.
Grayson Co is dry. Gotta join a club if you want a beer with
your dinner at Clarks in Tioga.
Why would you post this in the religion section since it is simply current news?
Is this an attempt to engender anti-mormon feelings?
Wassamatter? Feeling depressed?
Starting to fear for my life due to the lynch mob mentality protesters seem to be showing. I hope none of you is able to track me down.
Perhaps another board would be more to your liking, then. I hear Greg West has several that you might like. You might even run into a familiar face or two while you're there.
Good thing you don’t own this one.
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