No one should drive their car in fear of being killed on the road because someone else has been drinking and driving. We can and we will change Wisconsin laws to punish those who choose to drink and drive. It is my hope that those law changes will be a big step to change the culture of what are tolerated drinking practices in our state. Nothing we can do will bring back those that have been killed, and we cannot pass a law to change every action of every person, but we can move ahead with what we know is right in the end.
The Assembly and now the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing have taken action to try to solve the problems of drunk driving. Like action in previous sessions, this bill includes increasing the penalties for those arrested for drunk driving. We also made it criminal to have a minor in the car while drinking and driving, even on the first offense. The proposal requires an ignition interlock device on the first offense for those with a blood alcohol level of above .15 - nearly twice the legal limit. The bill also expands what we know to be a successful treatment program in Winnebago County to any county that wishes to implement this opportunity for offenders to receive treatment. In the Senate committee we also took the important action of funding the changes we want to drunk driving laws.
Whenever we increase penalties on any crime we need to keep in mind that those penalties increase costs. Every action has a reaction. As a Legislature we need to consider all things that we know have expense and make choices carefully knowing that taxpayers are likely going to have to pay the price. I know that my constituents want action to try to stop drunk driving in Wisconsin - that is what we have done.
Senate Bill 66, which I have supported in its original form and as amended in committee, pays for drunk driving penalty increases through an increase in the liquor tax and a surcharge on felony offenses. Linking the funding to what we know is a cause seems to be a logical way to pay for the costs.
The issue of inappropriate drinking and illegal drinking and driving in Wisconsin is complex and challenging for our greater community. It is my hope that our action will make a difference. For more information on Senate Bill 66 and other drunk driving proposals, please call my office at 888-549-0027 or 608-266-6670 or via e-mail at sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District.
The Assembly and now the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing have taken action to try to solve the problems of drunk driving. Like action in previous sessions, this bill includes increasing the penalties for those arrested for drunk driving. We also made it criminal to have a minor in the car while drinking and driving, even on the first offense. The proposal requires an ignition interlock device on the first offense for those with a blood alcohol level of above .15 - nearly twice the legal limit. The bill also expands what we know to be a successful treatment program in Winnebago County to any county that wishes to implement this opportunity for offenders to receive treatment. In the Senate committee we also took the important action of funding the changes we want to drunk driving laws.
Whenever we increase penalties on any crime we need to keep in mind that those penalties increase costs. Every action has a reaction. As a Legislature we need to consider all things that we know have expense and make choices carefully knowing that taxpayers are likely going to have to pay the price. I know that my constituents want action to try to stop drunk driving in Wisconsin - that is what we have done.
Senate Bill 66, which I have supported in its original form and as amended in committee, pays for drunk driving penalty increases through an increase in the liquor tax and a surcharge on felony offenses. Linking the funding to what we know is a cause seems to be a logical way to pay for the costs.
The issue of inappropriate drinking and illegal drinking and driving in Wisconsin is complex and challenging for our greater community. It is my hope that our action will make a difference. For more information on Senate Bill 66 and other drunk driving proposals, please call my office at 888-549-0027 or 608-266-6670 or via e-mail at sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District.
