Photo IDs were about to happen in the Badger State, 39 years ago

These days, ID cards with your picture on them are often required for almost every type of activity, including being allowed to vote.  But in 1980, Wisconsin was one of only 8 states which still didn’t require a picture on a driver’s license.  The Assembly passed a photo ID bill after a four-hour debate over whether photos were necessary for a license.  Former Governor Martin Schreiber had vetoed a picture requirement in a previous session.  An amendment was passed to exempt drivers who believe photography violates their religion from needing to have a picture taken.  

The La Crosse school board was cracking down on junk food being sold in school vending machines.  The board passed a policy requiring ‘nutritious foods’ to be dispensed by machines, as opposed to candy and soda.  Fruit juice, fruits, and milk were expected to meet the standard of ‘nutritious’ items in machines.   

Campaign events building up to the Wisconsin presidential primary of 1980 included an unusual rally outside the State Capitol by California Governor Jerry Brown, who was opposing President Carter for the Democratic nomination.  Brown delivered a live television address directed by ‘Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’ filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, in which visual effects on giant TV screens didn’t work out as planned.  The ill-fated event was branded ‘Apocalypse Brown’ in 1980…yesterday in La Crosse.