In January, Mayor Mike McGinn's office is supposed to submit a proposal to the Liquor Control Board that explains why the LCB should tweak state rules to extend bar service hours in Seattle past 2:00 a.m. (This is just one component in a more comprehensive proposal to promote nightlife and improve public safety—more on that here). Some Seattle residents have expressed concerns about the plan, the LCB has also expressed concerns, but now it appears the battle for later bar hours might've ended before it began.

Here's why: Last Wednesday, November 17, Governor Christine Gregoire issued a moratorium on "non critical" government rule making for the next year, citing the shitty economy and a desire to preserve business interests (.pdf). The ban doesn't apply to rules that address public safety and emergencies (the recent Four Loko ban, for instance), or those that are necessary to carry out federal or state mandates.

But what are the chances that the liquor control board will decide that Seattle's quest for longer, later booze hours is on par with a critical emergency? Aaron Pickus, spokesman for the mayor, says that "at this point, we don't know. We're looking into it."

Meanwhile, here's what the LCB is saying: "I can see it being the case where it would probably fall under that prohibition on rule making," says Brian Smith, spokesman for the LCB. In which case, "the city would be better off approaching the legislature."

It was a sweet dream while it lasted, wasn't it?