The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine have published a new study which provides several facts and recommendations to address the extremely high rate of fatalities due to alcohol-impaired driving. Major recommendations include States reducing BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) limits to 0.05 from 0.08 and to reduce alcohol outlet density.

Link: www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2018/getting-to-zero-alcohol-impaired-driving-fatalities.aspx

Live Nation apparently has been in negotiations with Frank Productions for the past year, even while purchasing our  locally owned, beloved High Noon Saloon.  Cathy Dethmers, the owner, wrote in a local online magazine that it felt like she had been punched in the gut. I agree. Live Nation will now control most of the major ticketing for concerts in Madison at places like the Overture, the Barrymore, the Orpheum and Breese Stevens Field, as well as the ownership of the new Sylvee, the High Noon and the Majestic. Frank Productions had consolidated its control of promoters at True Endeavors and Majestic before their sale to Live Nation. Live Nation, for those of you who don't know them, are a multi-billion dollar company that also owns Ticket Master and Stub Hub. As a bit of trivia, Frank Productions CEO Joel Plant is a former City of Madison alcohol-policy coordinator.

Link: host.madison.com/wsj/entertainment/music/live-nation-buying-majority-share-of-frank-productions/article_883c1038-ad35-5398-81a3-6b207263f35d.html

I am very pleased that the Mayor has proposed a moratorium on new alcohol licenses in high police call and high density areas as well as proposing new criteria to how alcohol licenses are issued.  

Link: host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/mayor-paul-soglin-proposes-moratorium-on-new-downtown-madison-alcohol/article_0444ada3-3f76-5e58-9440-cd6eb6fde0af.html

The Madison City Council has failed on two occasions meet the 14 votes needed to overturn Mayor Paul Soglin's veto of an alcohol license that the city wanted to give to fast food chain Taco Bell Cantina, which is located on State St. Soglin opposed the license due to concerns of alcohol-fueled violence downtown and a slippery-slope effect that may result of fast food restaurants being able to sell beer and wine.

The city council failed to override the Mayor's veto twice with the first vote of 9-7. A re-vote was requested but the second time only 12 votes were lodged in favor of overturning the veto. 

This is the third veto Soglin has lodged against an alcohol license. The first two vetos were overturned.

Link: www.wkow.com/story/37278796/2018/01/Tuesday/alcohol-proposals-once-again-up-for-a-vote-tuesday-night-in-madison

Vintage Brewing Company is planning on opening a 26,000 square foot, $7 million brewery in Sauk City as well as two more locations in Madison. One of them will be in the building that will host the 2,500 seat Sylvee performance venue owned by Frank Productions (recently bought by Ticketmaster/Live Nation). Vintage has not secured an alcohol license for the project at 800 E. Washington Ave., but I'm sure it will be coming soon.

Link: host.madison.com/wsj/business/vintage-brewing-opens-million-facility-in-sauk-city-announces-plans/article_1564090c-bc21-5e25-b204-0fb7933913ec.html