State lawmakers should be considering any reasonable measure that helps reduce the alcohol problem in Wisconsin.
One such measure will receive a hearing today in the state capitol. Senate Bill 30, co-sponsored by Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, would prohibit children younger than 18 from drinking alcohol in a licensed tavern, restaurant or other licensed premise. Current Wisconsin law allows a minor of any age to drink alcohol in a licensed premise if accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse.
The drinking age in Wisconsin is 21 years old. No one should be allowed to drink legally in a public place in the state unless they are 21 or older. Period.
A private residence is different. If a parent or guardian chooses to allow someone younger than 21 to drink in a private residence, that's their choice. It isn't necessarily a wise choice, but it's theirs to make.
But in an establishment that is licensed by a governmental body to serve alcohol, the legal drinking age should be the cutoff, regardless of what a parent or guardian thinks is acceptable.
Actually, the ban proposed by Robson's and Hixson's bill does not go far enough. It should prohibit anyone younger than 21 from drinking in a licensed premise. But setting the limit at 18 years old certainly is better than the status quo.
The state's drinking problem has been well-documented. Wisconsin has the highest rates of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and heavy drinking. It has the highest alcohol use in the country among high school students. Drunk driving fatalities are increasing in Wisconsin while dropping nationwide.
For far too long, the state's culture has been conducive to alcohol abuse. It's long overdue for the state Legislature to take actions to begin changing this culture. Senate Bill 30 would be one small part in that larger effort. It should be passed by lawmakers, and signed into law by the governor.
One such measure will receive a hearing today in the state capitol. Senate Bill 30, co-sponsored by Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, would prohibit children younger than 18 from drinking alcohol in a licensed tavern, restaurant or other licensed premise. Current Wisconsin law allows a minor of any age to drink alcohol in a licensed premise if accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse.
The drinking age in Wisconsin is 21 years old. No one should be allowed to drink legally in a public place in the state unless they are 21 or older. Period.
A private residence is different. If a parent or guardian chooses to allow someone younger than 21 to drink in a private residence, that's their choice. It isn't necessarily a wise choice, but it's theirs to make.
But in an establishment that is licensed by a governmental body to serve alcohol, the legal drinking age should be the cutoff, regardless of what a parent or guardian thinks is acceptable.
Actually, the ban proposed by Robson's and Hixson's bill does not go far enough. It should prohibit anyone younger than 21 from drinking in a licensed premise. But setting the limit at 18 years old certainly is better than the status quo.
The state's drinking problem has been well-documented. Wisconsin has the highest rates of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and heavy drinking. It has the highest alcohol use in the country among high school students. Drunk driving fatalities are increasing in Wisconsin while dropping nationwide.
For far too long, the state's culture has been conducive to alcohol abuse. It's long overdue for the state Legislature to take actions to begin changing this culture. Senate Bill 30 would be one small part in that larger effort. It should be passed by lawmakers, and signed into law by the governor.
