Chip Scutari
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 30, 2004 12:00 AM
Come this summer, Arizonans may be able to imbibe at pubs, restaurants and resorts later into the morning hours.
A group of lawmakers that ranges from conservative Republicans to liberal Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that pushes back "last call" at Arizona's bars to 2 a.m. from 1 a.m. The lawmakers estimate the move would pump $55 million into the economy and boost Phoenix's emerging convention business. It would also bump back closing time from 1:15 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
"As Arizona, and in particular Phoenix, becomes more of a cosmopolitan area we are hurting ourselves by not taking advantage of this type of legislation," said Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association. "This is one important spoke in the wheel to attract Europeans and more business to the state."
Arizona is one of a handful of states with a 1 a.m. cutoff. Members of the restaurant, resort and liquor industry said moving back the closing time could avoid some of the "pounding" of drinks shortly before 1 a.m. They also said it would generate about $3 million in sales taxes for the state coffers.
Scottsdale Republican Rep. Michelle Reagan, the bill's sponsor, said statistics in other states show that letting bars stay open later does not increase DUIs or traffic deaths. Indian casinos with liquor licenses would also have their last calls pushed back to 2 a.m. if the bill passes.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving opposes the bill, fearing that it will put more intoxicated drivers on the road.
"Having longer bar hours sets a bad precedent," said Jan Blaser-Upchurch, who heads MADD's Arizona office. She said economic advantages, if there are any, would not compare to the potential loss of life.
There are some initial signs that the bill, which was filed Thursday afternoon, has a solid chance to make it to the governor's desk.
Gov. Janet Napolitano has not taken a position on the bill, House Bill 2570. Major law enforcement groups, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are not opposing or supporting the bill.
Backers of the bar-closing bill point out that Phoenix is the only one of the 25 largest cities in the United States with a 1 a.m. last call. San Diego, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles all have a 2 a.m. last call.
Resorts also have said they lose convention business because of Arizona's early cutoff. Phoenix is trying to enhance its convention business. Last year Napolitano signed legislation that gives Phoenix a $300 million boost to upgrade its Civic Plaza. The money will pay for half of the $600 million cost to triple the size of the downtown Civic Plaza, a venture touted as Phoenix's ticket to compete for large conventions and improve the state's tourism.
Phil Miglino, owner of Nixon's restaurant at the Esplanade in Phoenix, said the bar-closing bill "moves Arizona into the modern world."
"Tourism suffers the most from not having a reasonable closing time," Miglino said. "We have special events like the Super Bowl and Phoenix Open. This is reasonable and good for Arizona."
There's also a movement afoot to put the last call issue on the November ballot. A group called Arizona United filed an initiative last May, dubbed the Last Call Act of 2004. It would allow alcohol to be served up until 3 a.m., rather than the current 1 a.m.
The group has until July 1, 2004, to collect 122,612 signatures from registered voters to put the idea on the ballot. Jim Lugo, the group's 19-year-old chairman, said he's excited about the bill but that his group will continue to collect signatures.
"This is great news," said Lugo, who added that the effort so far has garnered about 75,000 signatures. "This is safer for the community and better for the economy."