Drunken driving, education on tap for last week of legislative session
MADISON — Toughening the state’s drunken driving laws and passing education reforms to help Wisconsin qualify for federal stimulus money are just two of the many issues facing lawmakers in their final week in session.
The Legislature is scheduled to wrap up its business for the year on Thursday.
But many major issues remain left undone.
Lawmakers have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for a sweeping drunken driving bill. A Senate committee passed a version that increases the liquor tax to pay for toughening penalties for drunken driving.
Lawmakers have worked behind the scenes on a compromise.
Other pending issues include reforming the state’s child welfare system and publicly funding Supreme Court campaigns.
Nov 2, 2009 at 1:42 a.m.
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thekai...
I couldn't agree more, but I was holding back pending the inevitable onslaught of people that feel otherwise.
You just know ther're going to start putting their two drunk cents worth in after last call at the tavern.
Nov 2, 2009 at 12:44 a.m.
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wesgonsin,
I only have one problem with your suggestion. I think by the third offense, it should be a minimum of five years. Drunk driving is no light matter.
Nov 2, 2009 at 12:15 a.m.
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"Lawmakers have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for a sweeping drunken driving bill"....
I have some ideas. Triple the fines for every offence, make any second offence a felony, put third time drunk drivers behind bars for a minimum of one year. Use that new liquor tax to fund it.
Also, make the driving under the influence of hardcore street drugs an automatic felony.
Nov 1, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.
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Tougher drunk driving laws? I'll drink to that!
Nov 1, 2009 at 2:45 p.m.
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Well, it would be pretty silly to be the only state not to receive any education funds from the stimulus. I hate federal (Congressional) blackmail like this on general principles, but the rule at stake isn't that important to me. Congress has effectively usurped the state's authority, so blame it on Congress.
Nov 1, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
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bobb,
Do you think they get to just pocket that federal money? They certainly aren't going to pass the legislation for their own selfish reasons.
Nov 1, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Great Pun!! "on Tap" you guys are so funny..
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