Modest Changes To State's OWI Laws Face Major Obstacles

There is a long history on this blog in support of tougher penalties for drunken driving in Wisconsin.

We're a state that ranks high for OWI and drunk-driving fatalities enabled by weak penalties in a boozy culture marred by alcohol-related illness, sexual assault, domestic violence, workplace losses and high-visibility post-bar closing time drownings from La Crosse to Milwaukee.

So props to GOP legislators Jim Ott and Alberta Darling for pushing to get more drunk drivers off the road, and thumbs down to alcohol industry special interests who will roll out the talking points and open up their checkbooks to stymie this modestly-stronger stand against intoxicated motorists.