BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//jEvents 2.0 for Joomla//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20221106T010000 RDATE:20230312T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20231105T010000 RDATE:20240310T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20241103T010000 RDATE:20250309T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20251102T010000 RDATE:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20261101T010000 RDATE:20270314T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20271107T010000 RDATE:20280312T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20281105T010000 RDATE:20290311T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20291104T010000 RDATE:20300310T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20301103T010000 RDATE:20310309T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20311102T010000 RDATE:20320314T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20321107T010000 RDATE:20330313T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20331106T010000 RDATE:20340312T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20341105T010000 RDATE:20350311T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20351104T010000 RDATE:20360309T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20361102T010000 RDATE:20370308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20371101T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:America/Denver MST END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20220822T070000 RDATE:20221106T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20230312T030000 RDATE:20231105T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20240310T030000 RDATE:20241103T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20250309T030000 RDATE:20251102T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 RDATE:20261101T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20270314T030000 RDATE:20271107T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20280312T030000 RDATE:20281105T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20290311T030000 RDATE:20291104T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20300310T030000 RDATE:20301103T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20310309T030000 RDATE:20311102T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20320314T030000 RDATE:20321107T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20330313T030000 RDATE:20331106T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20340312T030000 RDATE:20341105T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20350311T030000 RDATE:20351104T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20360309T030000 RDATE:20361102T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20370308T030000 RDATE:20371101T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:America/Denver MDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT UID:f44856e2df05610a032412372ce996b2 CATEGORIES:LSDM CREATED:20230815T185456 SUMMARY:Jeff Carter, former liquor broker bent on changing Utah liquor laws DESCRIPTION:

https://townlift.com/2023/08/former-lo cal-liquor-broker-spearheads-ballot-initiative-to-revolutionize-utahs-liquo r-law/?utm_source=TownLift&utm_campaign=033e1c643e-Weekly_Roundup&u tm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9c4b286b80-033e1c643e-1387824428&mc_cid= 033e1c643e&mc_eid=a58c399402

Former local liquor broker s pearheads ballot Initiative to revolutionize Utah’s liquor law

Aimee L. Cook
Untitled-design-2023-08-11T140632.121.jpeg
Photo: Unsplash // Edward Howell

UTAH — In a mo ve that could significantly alter the landscape of Utah’s alcohol industry, former local liquor broker Jeff Carter is championing a ballot initiative set for the 2024  ;voting session, Citizens ’ Initiative to Amend and Modify Title 32B. Alcoholic Beverage Control Act< /a>.

The proposed changes aim to liberalize the state’s notoriously s trict liquor laws, potentially opening new avenues for private operators an d consumers.

“I am trying to gather a coalition of people; I know the re are a lot of people and businesses in Utah that have resources that woul d like to see change; I need their help in funding before I can do the seve n public hearings around the state before I can go get signatures, I only h ave so much time to do this,” Carter said. “Costco paid a law firm in Washi ngton millions of dollars to write their initiative in 2011. I did it on my own because I had the knowledge and desire to do it – because it has to be done – it took me two years, but I did it. I’m doing this for Utah.”

Carter’s initiative proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the current syste m. If passed, existing state-run liquor stores would be auctioned off to pr ivate operators signaling a shift towards privatization in the sector. Howe ver, the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) would retain its role as the central wholesaler and distributor, providing some degree of state oversight.

“I am not doing this to infringe on other people’ s rights that don’t want to drink; I have done it in a way that I am very c onscience of people that have a slighted attitude towards alcohol because o f maybe past problems,” Carter said. “I am not here to promote people drink ing alcohol; I am just saying that people who consume alcohol don’t want to buy it from a state-run liquor store, and the people that run bars and res taurants should be able to profit from it.”

One of the most significa nt changes proposed is the standardization of the state markup on liquor, w ine, and beer. Under the new rules, this would be set at 30% across the boa rd, a stark decrease from the current 88% markup on liquor. Notably, a port ion of these revenues would not only continue to be earmarked for things li ke school lunch programs, but Carter has proposed a slight increase to thos e programs in his initiative.

The initiative also seeks to increase the number of package agency licenses primarily found in rural parts of the state and typically operate out of grocery or convenienc e stores. This change would pave the way for larger outlets such as Costco and Trader Joe’s to sell liquor and wine.

In another consumer-friendl y move, the initiative proposes introducing a licensing system enabling reg istered customers to receive wine by mail from DABS.

“I am always thr illed when I see something that changes 32B that is not negative from the i ndustry perspective,” said Tanner Lenart, Utah attorney with Christensen &a mp; Jensen, who represents clients in matters relating to state and local l iquor laws. “Every year (for the past 12 yrs.), the Utah Legislature change s 32B. I see the changes come through, and usually, they are not beneficial to the industry; this one seems like it would be, mostly because my client s (retail) would be able to buy products at a much lower price, which is th e case for every other state but one, in the nation.”

Carter’s initia tive has the potential to drastically reshape Utah’s liquor laws, bringing them more in line with other states and offering benefits to both businesse s and consumers.

“There are 17 other control states, so I don’t belie ve it when certain politicians say that having a control state is the reaso n for us to be lowest on drunk drivers or youth using alcohol; I think that is not a cause and effect, the cause and effect is there is a prominent re ligion in this state has people not drinking, which lowers our rates,” Lena rt added.

Carter needs over 134,000 signatures spread across the stat e by Feb. 15, 2024, to get his initiative on the ballot.

If you would like to support Carter’s efforts, visit his website for more details  ht tps://www.spartacusfalanghina.com/ or use the QR code. 



Hat tip Daggett.  Jack Rubin
☎︎ 917-930-3542
✉︎   ;JackLRubin@yahoo.com
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