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SALT LAKE CITY - Now that the 2009 legislative session in over, wrangling over liquor laws is done and so are private club requirements.
One reason Gov. Jon Huntsman says he pushed for the sweeping changes was to improve Utah's image. Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson talked to MSNBC on the Rachel Maddow Show about it.
"We went from brown bag laws to the mini bottles, and now it's pretty much like anywhere else, especially getting rid of the private clubs," he said.
Anderson says he fought for the changes for a long time.
"Thank goodness we've got a very reasonable and well-traveled governor," he said.
Instead of private clubs, bars will now electronically scan IDs. New restaurants will not have bars and they'll have to mix drinks away from customers.
Anderson says he still doesn't understand why restaurants will have to mix drinks out of sight.
"I think it's this idea that any progress you make, you've got to have a little regress along with it," he said.
Gov. Huntsman says, overall, the bill that passed is a good compromise and he may even sign it into law at a bar.
Also, lawmakers approved tougher DUI laws. Most of the changes will take effect July 1.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
