May 22, 2012

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Racine approves domestic partner benefits

March 7, 2012 By

The City of Racine will now offer standard benefits to the state registered domestic partners of city employees and their children, though it’s not a unanimous council decision. The issue grabbed the attention of many residents, and Alderman Jim Morgenroth felt it needed more debate. “At a time when we’re turning off streetlights and cutting bus schedules, I think we need to review this,” he said. Alderman Eric Marcus said the Dane County court case, now under appeal, means benefits are currently the law of the land. “The fact that a case is in litigation, that’s not a reason, in my opinion, for us to hold up our process,” said Marcus.

AUDIO: Public comments (:22)  

 ’The one element that is really missing is the opportunity for the public to speak freely and comfortably,” said Alderman Sandy Weidner, who supported a wide open committee meeting. Staff said the cost would be negligible. The 10-4 vote adds Racine to a list of communities now offering domestic partner benefits.

Tom Karkow, WRJN

Filed Under: Children & Families, News, Politics & Government

Bill penalizes W-2 fraud

March 7, 2012 By

New penalties against people who take advantage of state benefits are advancing at the Capitol. The bill kicks people off of Wisconsin Works – or W-2 – after a certain number of violations. “I think one of the biggest issues of agreement throughout our state, is that people are sick of welfare or W-2 fraud,” says GOP state Senator Alberta Darling. “They are sick of paying for it, they are sick of people getting away from it, they are sick of reading about it in the paper.”

The bill would result in denial of benefits for up to six months for a first violation, up to twelve months for a second, and a third would result in loss of benefits. “We’re getting tough on people who deliberately rip off taxpayers, and that sounds great,” says Democrat Jon Erpenbach, who opposes the measure. “This is a bazooka going after a very small problem. We already have laws against welfare fraud.” The bill passed on an 18-15 vote with Democrat Jim Holperin joining Republicans in supporting the measure (SB 426), which now heads to the Assembly.

 AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:55)

Filed Under: Children & Families, Legislature, News

DNA collection bill proposed

March 2, 2012 By

Do we need Katie’s Law in Wisconsin? Twenty-five states now have a law requiring DNA samples be taken when arrests are made for some felonies. Jayann Sepich of New Mexico testifies on a bill that would enact a similar requirement here. “I was raised to believe that if you know how to good and you choose not to, that it is wrong,” she tells lawmakers. “We know how to do good. And I can tell you that if you know that these lives can be saved and you choose not to do it, that in the weeks, the months, the years to come, there will be a list of Wisconsin residents that could have been saved.”

The New Mexico law is named after Sepich’s daughter Katie, who was brutally raped and murdered in 2003. Her mom says Katie might be alive if investigators had DNA on the man who was eventually convicted – he had an extensive record of violent crimes. The proposal from state Senator Sheila Harsdorf would set up a pilot program with funding through the state Department of Justice. 

Iowa County Sheriff Steve Micheck testified against the bill (SB 214) on behalf of the Badger State Sheriffs Association. “The cost is there when we’re talking about collecting the DNA profile,” he says. “There’s a lot of work that need to be done yet, quite honestly.” Micheck says many smaller departments will be hard pressed to pay for the new policy once funding for the pilot program expires. 

Madison police chief Noble Wray supports the proposal. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when this is going to occur in the state of Wisconsin,” he says. “I would encourage that we pursue this sooner rather than later.”

The NAACP also testified against the bill, and Representatives Robert Turner of Racine and Fred Kessler of Milwaukee raised constitutional concerns. Kessler, noting the Wisconsin constitution protects residents from unauthorized searches, urged Harsdorf to pursue a constitutional amendment rather than a change to state law.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:15)

Filed Under: Children & Families, Crime & Courts, Legislature, News

Speaking up to protect BadgerCare

February 29, 2012 By

Emotional statements at the Capitol, in support of BadgerCare. At a press conference Tuesday, Brenda Nemec of Madison talks about life with a complication due to synthetic estrogen which her late mother took during pregnancy. “According to insurance companies, DES is considered a high risk category, so my insurance premiums would be $1,500 per month, or $18,000 a year, and that’s with a $10,000 deductible,” she says. Alicia Treadwell is a Milwaukee health care worker who says she couldn’t have had surgery on her knee without BadgerCare. “I’m good enough to render quality care, but I wasn’t good enough to receive care,” she says. “What’s wrong with the picture?” Shyquetta McElroy of Milwaukee is the mother of a two year-old boy who recently required care. “I can’t believe Scott Walker wanted to take BadgerCare away from him and thousands of children like him just to line the pockets of big corporations,” she says. “I pay my taxes. So why should my family and children like him, the rest of the 99 percent, go without healthcare just so corporations can be richer.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Children & Families, Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government

Child torture case continues

February 23, 2012 By

The Madison family accused of imprisoning, starving, and molesting a 15-year-old girl is due in court this morning.

The case that police called years of “child torture” has made national headlines. Meanwhile, a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send the defendants to trial. Dane County prosecutors said: her father, Chad Chritton, 40, and step-mother, Melinda Drabek-Chritton, 42, forced her to live in an unfinished basement and live on scraps and feces; and her step-brother, Joshua Drabek, 18, sexually assaulted her numerous times.

The girl weighed only 70 pounds when she escaped her house in pajamas earlier this month. She was wandering the street barefoot until a neighbor found her and notified police.

An advocate praises that man who intervened. “Thank God,” says Hanna Roth of the Madison-based Rainbird Foundation, adding people can “easily turn a blind eye to this.”

Roth says those who suspect child abuse may not get involved because they fear violent retaliation, they believe such matters are the business of the family, or they simply don’t care. She urges adults to have the courage to report abuse and be suspicious of physical signs of it, such as bruises or cuts. Emotional signs could be an angry or withdrawn child.

AUDIO: Roth on signs of abuse (:44)

Meanwhile, officials say the 15-year-old victim is getting healthier and is now in foster care. Court records show a week after the girl’s escape, she gained 17 pounds under a doctor’s care.

Filed Under: Children & Families, Crime & Courts, News
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