The Common Council voted to move discussion of a proposal banning the sale of cheap liquor throughout Madison at Tuesday night's meeting after many liquor distributors and grocers voiced strong opposition.
Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18, constructed an ordinance banning the sale of less than a pint of liquor or fortified wine and sales of less than a six-pack of beer. Schumacher said the city has too much panhandling, and the ordinance would make it more difficult for alcoholics to accumulate enough money to purchase alcohol or pressure others into buying it for them.
""This is an attempt to create a uniform playing field,"" Schumacher said. ""This will basically allow the police to know what conditions they can enforce for all retailers.""
However, the proposed ban, which was passed by the ALRC April 15, incited controversy at the Common Council meeting when many local liquor and beer distributors and grocers came to speak in opposition. Casey Trudgeon of Wisconsin Distributors played on the current economic climate in making his argument against the ordinance.
""Do we really want to pass something that may hurt our businesses in this current economic state?"" Trudgeon asked the council.
The council voted to move discussion of the ordinance to the June 2 meeting to allow for more collaboration with the liquor industry. Tim Bruer, District 14, warned the industry representatives that the council will still vote for this ordinance should they decide to not participate in discussion of this proposal.
""You folks really need to come together,"" Bruer said to the industry representatives. ""Because if you fail to come forth and participate, you will get regulation and you will not like it.""
The new proposal would go into effect in September and would affect all 123 of the retail license holders in Madison.
