Gov. Gary Herbert disagrees with public perception that Utah’s liquor laws are hurting economic development.
A recent UtahPolicy.com poll found 69% of Utahns think the state’s liquor laws hurt tourism and economic development in the Beehive State.
“Utah was recently named the #1 place for business again by Forbes Magazine,” said Herbert at his monthly KUED news conference. “The data belies the information in the poll.”
Herbert says liquor policy is an annual discussion on Capitol Hill, and he expects lawmakers to revisit the topic again in 2015.
“It never hurts to review and see if we can improve things like our liquor laws, but things are working well right now.”
Herbert also said he’s seen no evidence that the state’s policies about booze are keeping businesses from giving Utah serious consideration for expansion or relocation.
“I’ve never once had someone say to me they weren’t coming to Utah because of liquor laws. Our policies are not as strange as some other places, especially in the south. Maybe our economic development is among the best in the nation in spite of our liquor laws.”
Utah’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, holding steady at 3.5 percent.
