It's a rare victory for Spirits producers, wholesalers and the service industry. The Wisconsin state Senate has dropped an effort to increase excise tax on spirits 58%. The increase was said to help legislators fund harsher drunk driving laws. Senator Jim Sullivan the Senate sponsor of the plan had a change of heart when it was discovered the cost estimates were likely twice as high as previously thought.
So, we're safe for now but don't expect politicians to keep their hands off alcohol. With government spending increasing faster than taxes you can bet liquor excise tax will continue to be a target for local and state politicians to fund all manner of legislation in the future.
The Journal Sentinel article is
here.