Last night at the New Yorker Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. had one of the most interesting bill-signing parties the State of Utah has ever seen. It was a very public gathering to witness the signing of the new Liquor Bill that finally rids the State of it's archaic Private Club law!!!
All the media were there, along with members of the Legislature who carried he bill through the process, and after wrangling behind closed doors came to a compromise to finally "Legalize Adulthood" in Utah and hopefully put to rest the age-old perception that you can't get a drink in Utah. Along with the Gov. was Jack Galavin, who for eons has pushed for this as well as members of the hospitality industry who have wanted to see this change as well.
Conspicuously missing were members of MADD, who are stewing in some cave grumbling about the impending downfall of Western civilization due to this landmark legislation. The Asshats from MADD want nothing less than total prohibition and a return to public stocks for anyone who is caught partaking of demon rum in Utah. I was delighted to be part of the ceremony and the governor said he remembered listening to my radio show on what used to be KALL radio years ago making fun of the liquor laws, and felt gratified that now he was in a position to do something about it.
Now the Waddoupslature must fix the stupid time-bomb they inserted in the bill that punishes restaurants who have liquor licenses and want to remodel, or any new chain that might want to locate in the state. This next round of fixing should prove to be every bit as entertaining and infuriating as the private-club issue. Stay tuned!!!