Walker upbeat on Lincoln Hills overhaul
Governor less optimistic about ‘alcohol czar’
MADISON – Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday he thinks he can get a bill to close the state’s teen prison to his desk this spring, but he kept his distance from a measure that would create a state “alcohol czar.”
“I’m still very optimistic,” the GOP governor said to reporters about plans to close Lincoln Hills School for Boys and replace it with teen lockups around the state.
Walker and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) met Wednesday, and Walker said he stressed the importance of approving the closure of Lincoln Hills before the legislative session ends this spring. The facility north of Wausau is the subject of multiple lawsuits and a criminal investigation into abuse of prisoners.
Fitzgerald this week said he didn’t know if there was enough time to get the Lincoln Hills plan done this spring.
“I want to make sure there’s enough time to get this through not just the Assembly but the Senate, and that’s something we stressed to Senator Fitzgerald and others — that we want to get this done, we think it’s important to get this done yet this session,” Walker said.
Lawmakers are considering tweaks to Walker’s plans for Lincoln Hills that would have the state run some facilities and put counties in charge of others.
Walker said he could get behind that idea but wanted to make sure counties were united behind the plan and that there was enough support for it so that it could get through both houses. A hearing is slated for Thursday, and Assembly leaders plan to pass it next week.
Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said lawmakers met until late Tuesday to work on the measure and are adding new elements, such as job protections for Lincoln Hills workers so they have a chance to get jobs at other state or county facilities.
“I was very encouraged when I left last night at eight o’clock,” she said. “I believe we are doing something for real and we’re not just talking.”
Walker was less upbeat on a proposal by Fitzgerald to establish an alcohol czar that would enforce alcohol distribution laws.
“He’s throwing the idea out. I’m not sure how far it’s going to go,” Walker said.
He said he hadn’t talked to Fitzgerald in detail about the measure but had heard concerns about the idea from MillerCoors representatives.
“We oppose the creation of a new, standalone alcohol enforcement agency since we believe the current regulatory structure is effective,” said Martin Maloney, manager of media relations for MillerCoors.
The measure, Senate Bill 801, would also give a special liquor exemption to the Kohler American Resort. Kohler’s American Club is distilling a chocolate brandy but having difficulties selling it because of state law.
A hearing on the bill is slated for Thursday.
Wisconsin has a complicated system governing the making, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages that is known as the three-tier system. It dates back to the 1930s and was intended to prevent monopolies on the sale of beer, wine and spirits by separating businesses involved in alcohol production, wholesale and retail.
Under the proposal, the state would create an Office of Alcohol Beverages Enforcement that would take over alcohol enforcement in the state and would have a director who would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.