This press release was just received from Rep. Gordon Hintz. Looks like a good bill that would save us much time and grief at the local government level.
For More Information Contact:
Senator Jim Sullivan (608) 266-2512
Representative Mark Gottlieb (608) 267-2369
Senator Glenn Grothman (608) 266-7513
Representative Gordon Hintz (608) 266-2254
Economic Development Exemption to State-Imposed Limit on Liquor Licenses Proposed
Local Communities Should Decide What’s Best For Their Development
Madison – A bipartisan group of legislators from around the state offered a bill today to create an economic development exemption to the state-imposed limit on the number of liquor licenses a municipality may issue. Numerous communities around the state, such as Delafield, De Pere, Green Lake, Lake Geneva, Monona, Oconomowoc, Oshkosh, Ripon, Saukville, Slinger, and West Allis are at or near their quota limit and have no liquor licenses available to issue.
“This exemption will provide local officials in West Allis and others around the state with the flexibility they need for redevelopment and economic growth in their communities,” said Senator Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa). Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) added, “It seems hard to believe that in 2007 you can’t sell an old-fashioned in your restaurant because of one arrogant special interest group.”
Municipalities are unable to accommodate restaurants seeking to anchor mixed-use developments in their community because no liquor licenses are available. These communities are foregoing potential economic development opportunities that are vital to their community's redevelopment and growth.
“Communities like Saukville host large numbers of visitors which the current quota system does not account for. This legislation will give those communities a valuable tool to attract family-friendly restaurants, create good jobs and expand their tax base,” said Representative Mark Gottlieb (R- Port Washington). “Lifting the license quota on restaurants will remove an unnecessary restriction to development and provide communities like Oshkosh with more local control and increased opportunities for new business growth,” said Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh).
The legislation will exempt full-service restaurants from the limit on the number of liquor licenses that a municipality can issue. The bill defines a full-service restaurant as establishments where meals are prepared, served, and sold for consumption on the premises and in which the sale of alcohol beverages accounts for 50 percent or less of the restaurant's gross receipts. The local community will maintain the authority to issue, or not issue, "Class B" liquor licenses that best meet the needs of their communities.
The League of Wisconsin Municipalities and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association support this legislation.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
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1 comment:
I'm surprised at the position municipalities and the restaurant
association is taking on this-- well, maybe not the restaurant
association. My brief contact with city government where I am in Appleton
led me to believe that the chief occupation of the council members is
granting liquor licenses and punishing hapless bartenders for serving
under age.
Before any legislation is enacted at the state level to even more enhance
Wisconsin being the bartender to the nation, I would suggest the
following: Make it a felony to serve anyone liquor until they become
incapacitated. This would include bar owners, bartenders and restaurant
proprietors alike. If such legislation were enacted there would likely be
less need for any increase in liquor license levels:
many would become available either due to prosecution or getting out of
the business.
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