Several communities across Wisconsin say they're in a tight spot when it comes to new restaurants that want to serve liquor and beer to the customers. That's because the state's current limits mean some cities don't have anymore licenses to give out.
State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) says such scenarios stifle economic development. He's among a bi-partisan group of lawmakers who are introducing legislation that would lift the state's current limits. Instead, cities would be able to hand out additional "Class B" licenses at their own discretion. The bill would limit those licenses to businesses that get less than half their revenue from liquor sales.
Hintz says the current limits hurt new businesses if they can't offer alcoholic beverages to their customers. He says some diners may choose to go to another restaurant, simply because they can get a cocktail with their meal.
The State Tavern League says the bill is not needed because Wisconsin already has more liquor licenses per capita than any other state.
