Wisconsin News and Sports
Wisconsin has a new law against drunk driving coming on the books Thursday, but a state lawmaker says more needs to be done still.
State Representative Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) also says lawmakers missed an opportunity to do more when, earlier this year, they refused to kick out a colleague who had repeat OWI offenses. [Read more…]
In communities across the state, Safe Ride programs offer an easy way to get home for bar patrons who have had too much to drink.
State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) says the initiative helps customers avoid becoming a drunk driving statistic, with nearly 54,000 people taking advantage of the program over the last two years. She says it’s of particular importance in rural areas, where no public transportation options exist. [Read more…]
Drunk drivers in Wisconsin will face tougher penalties, under legislation Governor Doyle is expected to sign into law later today. The Governor is scheduled to sign legislation this morning at a Capitol ceremony that would make 4th offense OWI a felony, along with other increased penalties and expanded treatment options. [Read more…]
The father of a Schofield girl killed by a drunken driver wants to see even tougher laws.
Steve Meinel says the law passed Wednesday doesn’t go far enough and is disappointed that lawmakers haven’t done more to address the problem.
The bill passed by lawmakers Wednesday would make fourth offense drunk driving a felony, increases penalties for first time offenders, and expands treatment programs.
One change Meinel says he’d like to see made is legalizing sobriety checkpoints to provide some social fear for offenders. He also wants to see first time offenders punished substantially, in order to change their behavior in the future.
Meinel’s 14-year-old daughter Lacey was killed by a wrong-way drunk driver last January. Her classmates have drafted a petition for lawmakers to pass “Lacey’s Law.” The measure would require a 30-day jail sentence for first-time offenders, a six-month sentence for second offenders and harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:40)
It’s not everything he wants in drunk driving legislation, but Governor Jim Doyle is eager to crack down on people who drive in Wisconsin under the influence of alcohol.
“I really want to give credit to the legislators that have worked this out and come to agreement on the drunk driving bill.” He says, “They deserve a lot of credit … and are gonna to put a bill on my desk that I’m gonna be very pleased to sign.” [Read more…]
Lawmakers have overwhelming approved legislation that includes tougher penalties for drunk drivers. The bill makes fourth offense OWI a felony, requires ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders, and expands treatment programs. [Read more…]
State lawmakers says they have reached a possible agreement on OWI reform legislation.
The proposed deal would make 4th offense drunk driving a felony, require ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders, and expands treatment programs. [Read more…]
The Assembly Speaker is moving quickly to discuss the fate of a five-time OWI lawmaker.
The process to form a committee is under way, to consider the expulsion of Representative Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls), who was arrested last week for OWI — his fifth such arrest. State Representative Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) says he has already spoken with Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) in hopes of deciding membership of the Special Committee on Ethics and Standards.
“Yeah, we’re gonna be rolling this thing out very quickly.” Sheridan says driving under the influence “is a very serious issue.”
Wood said in a statement last week that he would not seek reelection, however there was no mention of resigning. Sheridan says Wood needs to get his act together, and this newly-formed committee will look at all the options. [Read more…]
State Representative Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) apologizes for his behavior and says he will not seek re-election in the state Assembly next year. In a statement, the Chippewa Falls Independent says that he plans “to focus on recovery.”
Wood explains, he’s been in an inpatient treatment facility for the past three weeks when his roommate unexpectedly left the program and Wood went to find him, but had taken more medication than was prescribed.
Wood was arrested that afternoon on suspicion of OWI. [Read more…]
Increased penalties for drunk drivers have unanimously cleared the state Assembly.
On a 95-0 vote Thursday, the Assembly approved legislation that makes 4th offense OWI a felony, expands treatment programs, and requires repeat offenders to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles.
State Representative Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis), a sponsor of the measure, says it’s a comprehensive bill that tries to address a problem in Wisconsin. While he admits it may not go as far as some anti-drunk driving groups wants, he believes it will start the process of passing additional reforms in the Legislature.
During debate in the Assembly, several lawmakers reflected on loved ones killed by drunk drivers. State Representative Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater) remembered losing his girlfriend at the age of 18. He says it seems so unfair that she missed out on all the joys of life because someone acted irresponsibly and got behind the wheel after drinking.
State Representative Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point) says the bill addresses an issue that touches every Wisconsin county, with thousands of OWI arrests in the state each year.
The bill now heads to the state Senate.