Frustrated with the Madison City Council’s actions on downtown liquor licenses, Mayor Paul Soglin has suggested putting the downtown liquor license question up for a public referendum.
Saying millions of dollars have been spent on beautifying the downtown area, Soglin would like the downtown to attract more shoppers than drinkers, adding that alcohol-related late-night police calls are costing the city and taxing the police department.
Recently, the mayor vetoed the City Council’s approval of a liquor license to sell wine and beer at a new Taco Bell Cantina. The Council could still override the veto, and may have the votes to do so.
In a Wisconsin State Journal article, Soglin said, “Someone is really out of touch here. Either it’s the City Council or it’s the City Council.”
