Lawmakers have been under increasing pressure in recent months to go after drivers who repeatedly get behind the wheel after drinking. It’s a message those at the Capitol have heard loud and clear, according to State Representative Donna Seidel (D-Wausau).
The Assembly is scheduled to vote on a bill today that would make sweeping changes to the state’s drunk driving laws. Those reforms include making 4th offense OWI a felony, reqiuring ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders, and expanding treatment options for earlier offenses.
The proposal still falls short of what many anti-drunk driving groups have been calling for. However, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan says the debate is far from over and he expects action later on additional bills to toughen penalties. The Speaker says lawmakers just want to make sure they “get something on the books” now.