Of course the hype about easing the wait for bar and restaurant licenses had to be offset by some common sense caveats (see omnibus liquor bill, HB548).
1): Allow mobile beer dispensing on golf courses. This is an especially good idea following the drunken debacle at the recent Phoenix Open.
2): Reduce or remove the power of the current DABC liquor commission by giving the director, who takes their marching orders from the governor, autonomous decision-making regardless of the votes of the liquor commission. One can only assume there are one or two Democrat liquor commissioners who obstinately hold out for common sense.
3): Increase the state’s markup on alcoholic products. $1 per keg of beer, .5% on liquor store beer, and .5% on spirits and wine. Doesn’t sound like much. Until you realize the current markup is currently 67% on “strong beer” and 88% on spirits.
Which seems like a lot and explains the ridiculous pricing in DABC stores. To be expected when the state controls the only franchise. At least we will call it the state.
I contend that the current markup on ice cream should be increased to 88.5% as well. People value different things. But then again, as a culture, we don’t value different people, so why would we expect respect for different values?
John Caywood, Salty Lake City
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