Wisconsin’s smallest craft brewers, including the maker of the popular Spotted Cow beer, large retailers like the Kwik Trip convenience store franchise and other producers, wholesalers and retailers are getting behind a rapidly moving proposal that would overhaul the state’s alcohol laws and lead to stricter enforcement efforts.
The measure, hammered out in secret the past five years largely between Republican lawmakers and the multi-billion dollar alcohol industry, is moving quickly through the GOP-controlled Legislature. It was introduced on Friday and was scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday. The Legislature is expected to pass it in two weeks.Most of the changes would not be noticeable to average alcohol consumers in the state, those who worked closely on the bill said.
The fact that all tiers of the industry are welcoming greater enforcement “sends a very powerful message” about the need for more clarity, Stenger said. The three-tiered system was designed to prevent monopolies so the same entity could not produce and sell alcohol at the wholesale and retail levels. But the system has been criticized for years for not keeping up with changes in the industry, including the explosion of smaller craft breweries, the popularity of wedding barns and other innovations.
The proposal addresses issues that have become a “daily pain in the butt for retailers,” said Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association.Perhaps the biggest change is creating a new division within the state Department of Revenue to regulate and oversee regulating the alcohol industry and enforcing the law. One of the loudest targets of criticism under the current system was the lack of a dedicated state office to interpret and enforce regulations.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Review: The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future - Chicago ReaderAt filmcenter through 6/13: The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future Chilean director Francisca Alegria’s feature debut is an audacious, surrealistic expression of acute ecological distress & various ideas pertaining to contemporary agita. | ✍️ Kat Sachs
Read more »
Officials: Black bear spotted near AntiochA black bear has been sighted near Antioch Saturday evening, officials said. Lake County deputies are on the scene and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is on the way to the 24100 block of W. Deer Ridge Lane to attempt to tranquilize and relocate the bear, according to a news release from the Lake County sheriff's office.
Read more »
Black bear spotted in Antioch, Lake County Sheriff's Office saysPolice warned residents not to approach the bear.
Read more »
Search continues for black bear spotted on back porch in AntiochNatalie Fields described the bear as adorable, saying she was unafraid. The bear eventually moseyed away.
Read more »