Tavern League of Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
The Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW) is a trade association
of alcoholic beverage retailers in the state of Wisconsin
. The League was created in 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition
, and today boasts 5000 members. The League is based in Fitchburg, Wisconsin
.
The TLW lobbies
for member interests at a state and federal level, and supports members in complying with legal issues facing their business. Issues include opposition to increases in alcohol and cigarette taxes and licensing laws seen as onerous, and opposition to restrictions on gambling machines. The TLW supports programs that aim to combat drunk driving by providing rides to and from bars. At the same time, the TLW has condemned campaigns against binge drinking
in Wisconsin as an attempt to "demonize" people who drink casually to relax. In 2005, lobbyists with the TLW were investigated by the State Ethics Board; the investigation was launched after State Senator
Russell Decker
was pulled over for drunk driving shortly after leaving an all-you-can-drink event for lawmakers hosted by the TLW.
The TLW has focused especially on opposing smoking ban
s in drinking establishments. When a smoking-ban law was proposed in 2008, the TLW worked with state senate Majority Leader Decker to insert provisions requiring that the ban would not take effect until July 5th 2010, giving members time to adapt, and preventing municipalities from passing laws that would have the same effect in the grace period. An editorial in the The Post-Crescent
stated that this "derailed" the bill. Previously, the TLW had received money and lobbying help from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
to fight smoking-ban legislation in Wisconsin. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin accused the TLW of working in concert with the tobacco industry and other trade groups to undermine Wisconsin's anti-smoking efforts, particularly its attempts to restrict the sale of cigarettes to minors. The study's conclusions were disputed by Philip Morris
and by other members of the coalition.
Industry trade group
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
of alcoholic beverage retailers in the state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. The League was created in 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
, and today boasts 5000 members. The League is based in Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Fitchburg is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 25,260 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is a suburb of Madison and is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
The TLW lobbies
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
for member interests at a state and federal level, and supports members in complying with legal issues facing their business. Issues include opposition to increases in alcohol and cigarette taxes and licensing laws seen as onerous, and opposition to restrictions on gambling machines. The TLW supports programs that aim to combat drunk driving by providing rides to and from bars. At the same time, the TLW has condemned campaigns against binge drinking
Binge drinking
Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide,...
in Wisconsin as an attempt to "demonize" people who drink casually to relax. In 2005, lobbyists with the TLW were investigated by the State Ethics Board; the investigation was launched after State Senator
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
Russell Decker
Russ Decker
Russell Decker was a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 29th District from 1991 to 2011. He served as Majority Leader from 2007 until leaving office in January 2011....
was pulled over for drunk driving shortly after leaving an all-you-can-drink event for lawmakers hosted by the TLW.
The TLW has focused especially on opposing smoking ban
Smoking ban
Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces...
s in drinking establishments. When a smoking-ban law was proposed in 2008, the TLW worked with state senate Majority Leader Decker to insert provisions requiring that the ban would not take effect until July 5th 2010, giving members time to adapt, and preventing municipalities from passing laws that would have the same effect in the grace period. An editorial in the The Post-Crescent
The Post-Crescent
The Post-Crescent is a daily newspaper based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Part of the Gannett chain of newspapers, it is primarily distributed in numerous counties surrounding the Appleton area.-History:...
stated that this "derailed" the bill. Previously, the TLW had received money and lobbying help from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company , based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and founded by R. J. Reynolds in 1875, is the second-largest tobacco company in the U.S. . RJR is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc...
to fight smoking-ban legislation in Wisconsin. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin accused the TLW of working in concert with the tobacco industry and other trade groups to undermine Wisconsin's anti-smoking efforts, particularly its attempts to restrict the sale of cigarettes to minors. The study's conclusions were disputed by Philip Morris
Philip Morris USA
Philip Morris USA is the United States tobacco division of Altria Group, Inc. Philip Morris USA brands include Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Benson and Hedges, Merit, Parliament, Alpine, Basic, Cambridge, Bucks, Dave's, Chesterfield, Collector's Choice, Commander, English Ovals, Lark, L&M, Players and...
and by other members of the coalition.