PHOENIX - The nation faces tough questions in tough times, and there are people on both sides of every issue.
Arizona is no different. But who’s saying what about the issues important to Arizonans?
Each Sunday, ABC15.com debuts an Arizona issue - along with opposing sides on the topic.
Don’t worry, you always have the opportunity to make comments at the bottom of the page. Yeah, your opinion matters too.
This week we're tackling the debate over a new Arizona law that allows alcohol sales as early as 6 a.m. on Sundays.
State law had barred alcohol sales between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays, but now the Sunday hours conform to those on other days of the week.
The law has been in effect since July 29th.
Critics argue the new law could put extra drunk drivers on the road by encouraging more weekend drinking, and early in the morning.
Supporters say the law simply matches rules in place for the other 6 days of the week, and has the potential to help struggling Arizona businesses in a tough economic time.
So, is the new law that allows early morning alcohol sales right for Arizona?
We asked State Representative Matt Heinz to weigh in on the change. We also asked many of you to share your voice on ABC15’s Facebook wall .
Click "next" to read all the viewpoints on this contentious Arizona issue.
State Representative Matt Heinz: This past legislative session a bill passed that has the power to create additional jobs and bring the state more revenue without raising any sort of taxes.
This amendment to HB2143, the five year continuation of the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control was just a small way of helping businesses here in Arizona. We succeeded in eliminating the limited Sunday sale and consumption hours in our state. It sounds too simple to have any sort of business impact. Practically speaking, prior to last Sunday, consumers couldn’t purchase or consume alcohol prior to 10am on Sunday mornings.
By adding an additional four hours in the morning we untied the hands of businesses throughout the state, especially some of those hardest hit by our current economic situation. Our restaurant and hospitality industry has been struggling, restaurants have been closing, people have been losing their jobs and our tourism dependent communities have suffered. This legislation gives business and consumers the choice of when to purchase certain types of products...
Here's what many of you have said on Facebook:
Patricia L. Brooks: My best friend from college 40 years ago was killed by a drunk driver - it was July 4th weekend and every year I grieve her and miss her more - the DUI laws do not help enough - why add to the problem - what is the reasoning for this? Is our governor crazy or just nuts?
Dawn Mattson: I think people know if they cant buy it Sunday morning they will get it in the afternoon or Monday night.
Jean Kuhn: I am a Christian and am totally against any alcohol being sold on Sunday. I remember the days that most businesses were closed on Sunday, The Lord's Day. Can't our alcoholics stock up on Saturday to have enough on Sunday.
Cyndie Stout: I still do not understand what Sunday and liquor have to do with one another anyway? Why should the time liquor can be bought on Sunday be any different from any other day?
Nohl Rosen: I don't think it's a big deal. People should be free to buy alcohol whenever they want. However, don't get behind the wheel drunk.
Lillian Esavi Masihanbi: It's a VERY BIG DEAL more drunks to kill more people.......REALLY!!!!
Moe Vander Ark: I'm sure the original intent was not to have drinking mix with church going but I honestly don't think nowadays changing a Sunday time will matter much at all. People choosing to attend church first will most likely still continue to do so.
E. Morgan: I have seen the effects of alcohol as a result of too much drinking. Why would we want to give folks the opportunity to become more intoxicated and even worse, possibly putting more drunk drivers out on the road.
Jean Suttle: You can't control the use of a legal substance by limiting the times it is purchased, any more than you can control the use of illegal substances by saying they can't be purchased or possessed!
Ron Courteau: I think it is outrageous that the drunks need to drive drunk in the am to get drunker from the night before, and then drive drunk to kill some one on the way home. I think one day a week for liquor sales is too much!
Tamara Morrison: If people want to purchase and consume alcohol at 6:00 am ona Sunday morning, it is there right... their choice... their prerogative. The state DUI penalties are enough - we do not need the state mandating when we can and cannot purchase liquor.
Whose side are you on? Click "add a comment" below to soundoff. You can also weigh in on ABC15's Facebook wall .
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