Gov. Walker cool on 'alcohol czar' proposal: 'Don't know how far it's going to go'

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker isn't showing much enthusiasm for a proposal to create a new "alcohol czar" position in Wisconsin to toughen enforcement of the state's liquor laws.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald introduced a bill on Tuesday to create the new position and office within the Department of Revenue. He says laws covering the manufacturing, distribution and selling of alcohol in Wisconsin aren't being adequately enforced.

MillerCoors came out against the measure Wednesday, saying "The Department of Revenue has been effectively and efficiently regulating alcohol in this state since prohibition and this change is unnecessary."

Walker told reporters Wednesday he spoke with Fitzgerald about the bill that morning. But Walker didn't get behind the proposal, saying "He's throwing the idea out, I don't know how far it's going to go."