A bill that would allow 14 counties in Wisconsin to keep their bars and restaurants open until 4am during the 2020 Democratic National Convention could soon see the light of day.
According to a report from the Milwaukee Business Journal, the bill began circulating this week and currently has five republicans who’ve signed on in support.
Lobbyist groups like the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Visit Milwaukee and the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce have all voiced support for the plan, saying it would allow bars to better capitalize on the roughly 50-thousand people expected for the convention.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told WTMJ during an interview last week that he thought the bill would have enough support to quickly pass.
“I think by the end of our session we will be able to pass the bill,” Vos said. “I’m a republican but I want to take every single dollar I can from democrats and have them spend it in Wisconsin… the color green doesn’t see red or blue.”
The 14 counties included in the legislation are Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Washington, Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, Dane, Dodge, Columbia, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac.
The legislation also includes caveats that would restrict alcohol permits at Road America racetrack as well as prohibiting private event spaces, like wedding barns, to serve alcohol without a permit.
