Liquor licenses abound for private clubs
Quotas debated as no-membership law changes categories
Despite concerns that easing the state's private-club laws would cause a run on available liquor licenses, regulators haven't had to turn anyone away empty-handed.
Members of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control commission granted licenses to all 10 private-club applicants before them Wednesday and still have 18 more licenses available for Utah's equivalent of bars.
In fact, the last time the state ran out of licenses was in January 2003, according to department staff.
But two of the five commissioners said they'd like to see the Legislature do away with the quota system set up to determine the number of licenses available based on the state's population.
Because the population estimates recently dropped by just over 40,000 people, the number of private-club licenses available in the state fell from 362 to 357. Other categories of liquor licenses were also affected, including both full- and limited-service restaurant licenses. There are only eight full-service licenses left, which allows restaurants to offer all types of alcohol, and 15 limited service licenses that permit just beer and wine sales.
"I think this is a little bit frightening to see," said Commissioner Mary Ann Mantes. "It's time we not have quotas."
After the meeting, Commission Chairman Sam Granato also said lawmakers need to take a look at doing away with quotas.
"Why is the quota there? Why are we handcuffing them?" asked Granato, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. "Based on the quotas we have now, we are running out of licenses."
The quotas have been adjusted by lawmakers several times over the years, and new categories of licenses have been created to accommodate more drinking establishments.
Any effort to increase the number of liquor licenses available could be a tough sell to lawmakers next year, however.
The 2009 Legislature passed a sweeping change to the state's private-club law, eliminating membership requirements as of July 1. That means drinkers will no longer have to fill out applications or pay fees to patronize private clubs.
The change was sought by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to make the state more tourist-friendly. But Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, who will take over from Huntsman once the governor is confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China, has said he doesn't want to make any further changes to the law anytime soon.
And Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said recently there's little interest in increasing the number of liquor licenses available in Utah.
Recent comments
In Utah is this news
only | June 26, 2009 at 5:36 p.m.
God gave humans free agency. Why is it that humans can't give other...
Mikee | June 26, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
Yea, Let's all have a drink right now, it's on me.
JCS, you
really...
Naruto | June 26, 2009 at 3:28 p.m.
- Adventurer ditches in Atlantic, unhurt 1:18 p.m.
- Thousands comment on Idaho mine 1:14 p.m.
- SLC continues free parking tradition 1:10 p.m.
- Stocks rise following jobless news 12:54 p.m.
- Cache woman still critical after crash 12:09 p.m.
- Crews working to free man in cave 12:03 p.m.
- Utes fall to Seattle U. at home 11:56 a.m.
- Quinn backs embattled Weis 11:54 a.m.
- 7 charged in Mumbai attacks 11:38 a.m.
- Energy prices rise despite supply 11:27 a.m.
- Donny and Kym dance to victory
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Howard made the rivalry a rivalry
- Cougars cruise past Southern
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- Loyal to Cougarettes, Crimson Line
- Crews working to free man in cave
- Y. focused on 10-win season
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Twitterati to BCS: 'We hate you.'
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
252 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
225 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
200 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
138 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
127 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
96 - Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
90
in my book. We'll find out more about the B-ball team when they take on the...
How many RSL games did you watch? You say they are mediocre based on their...
Todd stop answering your own posts. There is nothing real about that.
Republican party? You mean there still is one? The last General Election...
He said it wasn't because Shurtleff dropped out. He said it was because of...
and *I* thought Palin might spend some time with her youngest child, instead...
Wow: "That is the crime for which the bloodthirsty left-wing elitists would...
why ruin the lake when a better connection around the north shore would serve...
Watch your logic. If you don't respect our beliefs, what claim on us do you...
byu is good and all.. but if collinsworth went to the top 100 camp why is he...


