Legislators shrug at 'dry' social

The heat, not the dominant culture, confusing liquor laws, or lack of booze at the opening reception drove Pennsylvania legislator Matt Wright to stop at Port O'Call for a drink with his wife Tuesday.

Wright said he didn't expect his fellow lawmakers to be upset about the lack of alcohol at the opening social. "I think a lot of people will be surprised, but they won't be offended," he said. "Generally, the world understands that the beliefs are different here."

Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, said that he has heard very few complaints about the liquor laws when other state's legislators approach him, and that they are primarily concerned about finding a nice re1staurant where they can have a drink.

"It hasn't been negative," he said. "It's not like we're a bunch of drunks. It's just the common custom" to have a drink with dinner.

As for the dry reception, Dmitrich said he thought that there would be some grumbling, although not enough to ruin the evening.

"All of the (National Conference of State Legislatures conventions) I've attended in the past, they've offered it," he said. "But it's not the most important thing, and people will still have fun."

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; jloftin@desnews.com