Robson, Hixson Offer Testimony on Youth Drinking Bill
By
Madison, WI – Sen. Judy Robson and an aide to Rep. Kim Hixson testified today in support of legislation that repeals current law that permits minors of any age to drink in taverns if a parent, guardian or spouse is present.
Current law permits anyone under age 21 to drink in a tavern if accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse of legal drinking age. Senate Bill 30 permits only persons 18 to 20 to drink in a tavern under that statute.
“Drinking at a young age can shape a person’s drinking pattern for a lifetime,” Robson said. “Research shows that teenagers who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence during their lifetime than those who started drinking at age 21 or older. It may not be all that common for minors to drink in taverns with their parents in Wisconsin. But the fact that we permit it — that we have a law that says it is OK – sends the wrong message. We should be working to discourage underage drinking.”
“There are many great cultural traditions we have here in Wisconsin that involve enjoyingmoderate consumption of alcoholic spirits,” said John Vander Meer, an aide to Hixson. “These include everything from tailgating at the Brewers game to July 4th beer tents to the German beer gardens. But this drinking culture has a price, too. I believe permitting children and teens to
drink in Wisconsin taverns sends the wrong message about responsible alcohol consumption.”
“This bill is not going to solve all of our state’s problems with alcohol,” Robson said. “But it is one small thing we can do to reduce the problems.
Also testifying in support of the bill were three medical doctors; the Two Rivers police chief; Susan Burns of Edgerton; Lisa Maroney of All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education (AWARE); and Tom Farley, president of the Chris Farley Association.
“Alcohol abuse affects all of us,” Robson said. “It affects the safety of our roadways. It increases our medical costs. It can lead to violence, homelessness and domestic abuse. This bill is not going to solve the health, social and economic problems of alcohol abuse in our state. But it will send the message that we will not tolerate underage drinking. Taking this law off the books is one small but meaningful step.”
The Senate Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development will vote on the bill on September 9. The Assembly companion bill, Assembly Bill 106, is scheduled for a public hearing by the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
Posted @ 10:00 p.m.
