Adding a twist to blue laws in an increasingly red state, North Carolina's Republican-led legislature is toasting a measure intended to keep the booze flowing at the Democratic National Convention.
President Barack Obama and other Democratic Party headliners are set to be in Charlotte for the nominating soirée held every four years, which kicks off with a Labor Day party at a stock car track.
But the state's government-run liquor stores are closed Sundays and for the Monday holiday. That presents a potential problem for bars, restaurants and hotels needing to replenish depleted alcohol stocks.
To the rescue is a bipartisan group of lawmakers sponsoring a bill to keep the state-run stores in Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, open for Labor Day 2012. Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue says she will sign the bill into law.
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