The Mormon church — yes, I said Mormon — has telegraphed its position on several voter-approved propositions and an alcohol bill, SB 132. The Legislature has received its marching orders from the church.
Once again, the Mo-Publican Legislature goes against the will of Utah voters, assuming the Legislature knows what is best for everyone.
We have seen this twice in this legislative cycle. The first time was when the Mormon church floated the idea of calling a special session to replace Prop 2 — the initiative authorizing medical marijuana — with a new bill. The special session was called and a replacement bill was written and signed before the 2019 session even started.
The second was a rewrite of Prop 3 — Senate Bill 96 — changing Medicaid expansion. This occurred after more than 40 faith leaders (minus the LDS Church) signed a letter urging the governor and Republican legislative leaders not to limit or delay the full Medicaid expansion as defined in Prop 3.
The Mormon church is also trying to to torpedo SB 132. This bill would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell higher-alcohol, 4.8 percent beer. Beer with an alcohol content above 4.8 percent by weight will continue to be sold in state liquor stores. The bill was introduced because 3.2 beer will be available on a very limited basis nationally, as brewers discontinue brewing 3.2 beer for a few states. The state liquor store won't be able to handle the volume of sales for retail customers. This will also have a huge economic effect on the state.
I suggest the Mormon church stop trying to control the lives of all Utah citizens and remind their members to walk past the beer cooler on their way to Diet Coke and Dr Pepper aisle.
A. Joe Veltri, Murray