PHOENIX - On the first Sunday in August, you'll be able to toast the sunrise with a tequila sunrise.
On Thursday Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation - sought by resorts and other businesses - that wipes away the last vestige of special Arizona laws regulating when people can walk into a bar, restaurant or store on a Sunday and buy alcohol.
Brewer's decision is a victory for two first-term Tucson lawmakers who played a bit of political poker with her. In the end, she folded.
Under current law, residents and visitors in Arizona can buy beer, wine and liquor every day beginning at 6 a.m. through 2 the following morning.
But Sundays were different, with no alcohol sales allowed before 10 a.m. The bill signed by Brewer shortens the no-sale period to between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
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Rep. Matt Heinz, a Tucson Democrat, pushed for the change, saying that allowing booze to be poured earlier would be good for business and for resorts catering to tourists.
When his original plan got hung up, Republican Sen. Frank Antenori took up the cause. And he did it in a way to insulate it from opposition: He attached it to legislation needed to keep alive the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, the agency that regulates alcohol sales in the state.
Brewer balked at having that bill held hostage. But Antenori and Heinz held firm.
The law takes effect on July 29, making Sunday, Aug. 1, the first day for early imbibing.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Selling beer, wine and hard liquor an extra four hours a week could generate more than $430,000 a year in new tax revenues for the state, says an analysis by legislative budget staffers.