Wisconsin admittedly has an outmoded and very frustrating system of regulations affecting nearly everyone involved in making and selling alcohol. Everyone seems to make money, but it does seem unfair that distributors are required to be middlemen in between producers and vendors, regardless of what is practical or logical. The current regulations have been around since prohibition, and you can get a very good overview from WPR.org here: www.wpr.org/history-politics-shape-wisconsins-alcohol-laws
Here's where things get complicated: Industry groups and leaders in the state legislature (i.e. Republicans) are working to re-write those 100-year-old statutes in ways that are more 'fair' to each party. Sounds good, right? Well, the one group that is not sitting at the table when the laws are being discussed are consumer protection groups, doctors, mayors and public health officials. Why should they? Simply put, these stakeholders are the ones who have to pick up the tab for an industry that for its entire history has worked to oppose common sense approaches to reduce the harm of alcohol. Does the industry support increasing taxes, some of which have not increased since the 1960's? No. Do they support interlock ignition systems to prevent drunk driving, like the ones supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving? No. Do they support penalties and fines for taverns that over-serve patrons? No. Do they support alcohol outlet bans? No. Wisconsin taxpayers and communities are paying, literally, for the financial, health and safety costs of widespread alcohol availability and that is not expected to change anytime soon.
Ok, ok. Enough opining on my part. You can read about it yourself below. And ask your city and state officials what they think while you're at it.
More info: madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/proposal-in-the-works-to-change-wisconsin-alcoholic-beverage-enforcement/article_da9cea22-098b-5bcb-9ec1-8c3e8921cc8e.html
Here's where things get complicated: Industry groups and leaders in the state legislature (i.e. Republicans) are working to re-write those 100-year-old statutes in ways that are more 'fair' to each party. Sounds good, right? Well, the one group that is not sitting at the table when the laws are being discussed are consumer protection groups, doctors, mayors and public health officials. Why should they? Simply put, these stakeholders are the ones who have to pick up the tab for an industry that for its entire history has worked to oppose common sense approaches to reduce the harm of alcohol. Does the industry support increasing taxes, some of which have not increased since the 1960's? No. Do they support interlock ignition systems to prevent drunk driving, like the ones supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving? No. Do they support penalties and fines for taverns that over-serve patrons? No. Do they support alcohol outlet bans? No. Wisconsin taxpayers and communities are paying, literally, for the financial, health and safety costs of widespread alcohol availability and that is not expected to change anytime soon.
Ok, ok. Enough opining on my part. You can read about it yourself below. And ask your city and state officials what they think while you're at it.
More info: madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/proposal-in-the-works-to-change-wisconsin-alcoholic-beverage-enforcement/article_da9cea22-098b-5bcb-9ec1-8c3e8921cc8e.html
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