As
previously reported, Utah's hospitality trade group has sued to challenge a new law that eliminates discount pricing of alcoholic beverages offered by social clubs and ties the number of liquor licenses to population and number of police officers. Part of the suit questions the influence of the Mormon Church on the state's alcohol policy. The
Salt Lake Tribune reports that in a ruling from the bench yesterday, the court dismissed the lawsuit, giving plaintiffs 20 days to file an amended complaint describing specific harm to restaurant and bar owners from the new law. It also reports:
In another aspect of the lawsuit, [Judge Bruce] Jenkins brushed aside claims by the association that officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had unduly influenced state lawmakers in passing restrictive liquor laws, saying Mormons have a right to consult with legislators....
In his ruling from the bench, Jenkins said that "since territorial days in Utah, there has always been an interest in alcohol," noting that Mormon colonizer Brigham Young pushed for an inspector of spirits to ensure quality controls in the manufacture of alcohol.
