Readers' forum: Alcohol and gambling

The Deseret News article on Utah's ranking as third in the nation for freedom from regulation and 20th overall describes how our state legislators view our state.

Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, wants to have the state government get out of the business of alcohol distribution and sales and possibly legalizing gambling.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, wants to keep our gambling laws the same because the revenues the state would take in would be offset by social costs like gambling addiction and personal revenues lost.

Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, predicts Utah's shifting demographics will eventually signal the end of Utah's reign of excluding itself on alcohol and gaming issues.

I hope that these Senators realize that their votes on "illegal" immigration will be a huge step in changing the demographics of our State and will take us a step further towards legalized gambling. Sen. Robles is correct in stating, "The constituents of the state of Utah are the ones who need to speak up more and more about the things they want to see happening."

Utah garnered $59 million in alcohol profits and $41 million in tax receipts from liquor sales in 2009. Control states like Utah generate three times the revenue of non-control states.

Lori Koons

Farmington