- The Washington Times - Tuesday, January 28, 2014

A lawmaker in Utah is pushing to tear down a massive wall that’s stood between consumers and their liquor — a strictly enforced law that requires drinkers to order food with their alcoholic beverages.

Rep. Kraig Powell is urging his fellow lawmakers to support a curb to state law that would let customers order drinks without food, and that would let bartenders pour and mix alcoholic drinks in the open — instead of behind partitions or in a separate room as existing law demands, The Associated Press reported.

The law that mandates drinks be made out of sight of patrons was dubbed years ago the “Zion curtain,” in recognition of the state’s home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, AP said.

Mr. Powell is a Mormon church member but has brought forth the measure on the heels of several conversations with individuals and with alcoholic servers in his district. Regardless, his proposal is likely to face significant opposition.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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