MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Making first offense drunken driving a crime in Wisconsin will cost at least another $8.3 million a year.
That's according to a fiscal estimate prepared for a state lawmaker interested in strengthening the state's drunken driving laws. The Associated Press obtained the memo Thursday.
With the state's budget projected to be $5.4 billion in the red by mid-2011, any proposal that comes with a multimillion dollar price will have a tough time passing.
And, the powerful Tavern League lobby opposes tougher penalties for first offenses.
Another proposal being discussed would make third and fourth offense drunken driving a felony. Another legislative fiscal bureau memo shows that would cost more than $100 million a year, mostly because more people would be imprisoned.