A bill introduced Thursday in the Arizona Legislature might allow ASU students to spend an extra hour at their favorite bars.
If passed, the bill would extend Arizona's last call from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. It could add an additional $55 million to the state economy, according to lawmakers.
"I signed on because I think it's a decent idea," said Rep. John Loredo, D-Phoenix, one of the bill's 26 sponsors. "Arizona has a tourist economy.
"Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale have been pursuing this for a long time," he added. "San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas all have a considerable nightlife and their main attraction is that they don't shut down at 1 o'clock."
Chris Martin, a kinesiology senior and bartender at Noyz, a Scottsdale bar, said 1 a.m. is too early for last call.
"Everybody goes out at 11 o'clock anyway," he said. "It's no fun drinking for only two hours. Also, I know that every single bartender would absolutely support it. It's a win-win for everyone."
Rep. Philip Hanson, R- Sun City, said there are many advantages of the bill, which could be voted on by this summer.
"The four surrounding states have a 2 o'clock closing time -- even Utah, which is very conservative," he said.
Steve Goumas, a managing partner of Rula Bula Pub and Restaurant on Mill Avenue, said a later last call could mean safer streets.
"It will help with the mass exodus that happens at 1 o'clock," he said. "People will leave at staggered times. I think we will have less DUIs."
But not everyone supports the bill.
Jan Blaser-Upchurch, state chair of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the group is adamantly opposed.
"The same people slamming drinks at 12:45 a.m. will be slamming drinks at 1:45 a.m.," she said.
Blaser-Upchurch's husband police Sgt. John Blaser was killed Labor Day weekend in 1990 by a drunk driver in Tucson.
"We think this is a really bad idea," she said. "We already have a high number of senseless alcohol-related deaths and injuries."
The deaths and injuries, Blaser-Upchurch said, would increase if the bill passes.
"It's only common sense that another hour of drinking means greater potential for more impaired drivers," she said.
Arizona United, a group that filed an initiative last May to extend last call to 3 a.m., said that states with later closing times actually have fewer alcohol-related deaths.
Nineteen-year-old Jim Lugo of Glendale, chairs the group, and though he's not old enough to drink, if he collects 122,612 signatures by July 1, Arizona voters will see the measure on the November ballot.
Drinkers will "pace themselves instead of rushing to get drunk," the group's Web site said.
Rep. Hanson agreed.
"A lot of people work afternoon shifts and don't get out until 11 or 12 and have to make up for lost time," he said.
But if the bill passes, "they won't have to drink so heavily," Hanson said. "You can spread out the drinking over more time."
A hearing for the bill has not been scheduled. The final outcome of the bill is expected by summer.
Reach the reporter at christian.palmer@asu.edu.
