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Wisconsin's beer-loving reputation would get a boost under a proposal to lower the state's drinking age to 19.

But teenagers shouldn't reserve those kegs just yet.

The bill, circulated Wednesday by three Republican lawmakers including the former president of the Wisconsin Tavern League, has to overcome at least two big hurdles before it could become law.

First, it's not supported by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who plays a central role in determining which ideas are brought up for a vote. Neither the leader of the Senate nor Gov. Scott Walker, who would have to sign the bill should it pass the Legislature, immediately replied to messages seeking comment.

Second, the drinking age would only drop to 19 if Wisconsin would not lose its federal highway money. Current federal law, passed in 1984, says any state with a drinking age lower than 21 can lose 8 percent of federal highway funding.

In Wisconsin, that would be a $53.7 million reduction this year alone — enough cash to buy about 6.7 million six-packs of Miller Lite.

Despite the hurdles, the bill's main sponsor said the idea deserves consideration.