After a spring of controversy, the state Legislature appears set to ignite another political firestorm regarding a hotly contested issue: Margarine.
A new bill recently introduced in the Legislature would repeal an obscure state law, first passed in 1895, that bans the sale and use of margarine in restaurants. The law was designed to eliminate the butter substitute's perceived negative impact on Wisconsin's dairy industry.
Over time, state legislators have changed the law to reduce the extent of the ban.
The current law contains three major regulations on the sale and consumption of margarine. It prohibits public eating places to serve margarine unless the customer requests it. It also requires that state institutions, like prisons, only serve butter unless margarine is necessary for the patient's health. Additionally, the law lists specific requirements for packaging and labeling margarine sold at retail stores.
State Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, one of the bill's co-sponsors, said it is important to protect the integrity of Wisconsin law.
""Our laws are important and should be respected,"" Kooyenga said in a letter to lawmakers. ""Silly laws erode citizens' respect for the overall rule of law in our state.""
The bill will be up for a vote in the Wisconsin Legislature next month.
—Jack Casey
