Following recommendations for stricter alcohol policies in the downtown area, members from the State and Langdon Street neighborhood are proposing a secession from Capitol Neighborhoods Inc.

According to Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, CNI’s alcohol issues subcommittee released a policy proposal for the downtown area, which included an increase on the alcohol tax and a screening program of all UW-Madison students for alcohol issues. He said many students were angered by the proposals and found them insulting.

“I think CNI and the students have been at odds for awhile now. It just kind of built up and a lot of students saw the policy proposal in January as the last straw,” Judge said.

City Council President Mike Verveer said he understood student frustrations with the neighborhood association.

“The majority of [CNI’s alcohol issues subcommittee members] are not sympathetic to student’s social needs and social life,” Verveer said, adding Madison police have previously stated UW-Madison students are a minority of the problems occurring in the downtown area.

According to Judge, the State and Langdon Neighborhood Association will propose the secession from CNI at the council’s monthly Executive Council meeting March 25.