I haven't seen his mugshot yet, but this image is from his state senate web site.
Posted on 03/31/2005 9:44:43 PM PST by NormsRevenge
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The state Ethics Board is investigating tavern industry lobbyists for charging Wisconsin lawmakers $5 for unlimited beer the night a senator was arrested for drunken driving.
State Sen. Russ Decker was pulled over in a Madison suburb about three hours after he and other lawmakers were charged the $5 for food and beer at the Tavern League of Wisconsin's event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at a downtown hotel.
Roth Judd, director of the state Ethics Board, said he launched the investigation to see whether the event complied with state laws on lobbying. Lawmakers may attend such events but must pay the full cost of any food or drink received. It's unclear whether a $5 charge for unlimited beer would comply, he said.
Judd said he's checking with the league "to learn what its costs were, how it computed the costs and see whether this was a fair and appropriate charge or not."
Representatives of the tavern association did not return phone messages left by The Associated Press. The group, representing 4,700 Wisconsin bars, is a powerful political lobby.
Decker was pulled over just before 11 p.m. Tuesday and cited with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Middleton police said Decker's blood-alcohol content was over the state's 0.08 percent limit but declined to release the results of a Breathalyzer test.
Decker, a Democrat, apologized in a written statement for using "bad judgment in driving while impaired."
"It was a terrible mistake on my part, and I accept full responsibility," said Decker, a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee that develops the state budget.
Decker, 51, told the Wausau Daily Herald he was pulled over for going through a red light near a busy freeway. He said he was at the league's reception and then at a bar in Madison where he drank beer for about two hours before getting in his car.
"I thought I was in good enough shape to make it," said Decker, who faces an April 21 court hearing.
Deanna Reilly, president of the Dane County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said lawmakers need "to take the opportunity of this arrest to learn more about how to get involved in helping the fight against drunken driving." She said they should end all-you-can-drink specials, among other steps.
I grew up in that state and I am saying nothing about beer.
Nada.
Not a word.
Nope......not me.
I haven't seen his mugshot yet, but this image is from his state senate web site.
Don't get LaCrosse with me young lady..;-P
Heileman's ,, mmmmmmm
Yup, it all goes great with chili and hot wings. ;-)
He drank free beer for two hours in Madison and was "only" .08! What a leaker!
Chili? Hot wings?
BRATS AND SAUERKRAUT! Sheesh, Norm! :)
It's the Viking in me, sorry. :-}
Toss in Leinies and Point to the beer list :-)
"...Middleton police said Decker's blood-alcohol content was over the state's 0.08 percent limit but declined to release the results of a Breathalyzer test."
To properly translate: "He was .30, but he signs our checks..."
Point Beer! Oh my gosh......HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA
I FORGOT that one!!!
LOLROTF! You got me! Love'ya man!
I will never reveal what I and my friends did back in the goode olde daze after hours in the "beer bars"!
One tale:
One guy "tripped" over the highway yellow strip in the middle of a road when we were crossing the road over to our car in front of a beer bar.
Sounds like deflection to me. A pol gets arrested and they go after the ones who sold him the beer. Just like the gun control folks.
Madison Wisconsin. Not exactly a conservative area...
Chief Oshkosh
Just when did you grow up in that state? There used to be a guy there who liked his kegs of beer. We called him the Crusher.
Decker has turned into a snob and nob I guess. Blame everyone else for his thirst. Years ago when Decker's were more down to earth and not so rich, they were just regular guys on the snomobile performance and racing parts Biz. I guess a little power has gotten to his head.
If I told you that.....you'd know how OLD I am!!! I can't do THAT! :)
Crusher! Wonder if that was one of my cousins...
I know her too. She would like to end all fun in the state, close down every bar, ban all snomobiles, boating, fishing and sit home and knit. Typical Democrat.
it obvious how old I am that I can recall the crusher, LOL! he used to beat up that french guy, mad dog vachon, and those Brunsell brother sissies Jim and Greg and their dad, Vern.
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