A Democratic district attorney says proposed cuts to the Wisconsin Department of Justice budget could affect safety around the state. On Wednesday, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said the 5% cut could lead to the elimination of 80 jobs at his agency.
Clark County DA Darwin Zwieg says the DOJ provides invaluable services to local law enforcement such as DNA analysis and the state crime lab something be used "more and more." Zwieg says the proposed cuts could even affect the bodily welfare of citizens or perhaps cost lives.
Van Hollen says the cuts are politically motivated with him being a Republican while the budget writing committee is run by Democrats. Zwieg, a registered Democrat, says he and Van Hollen's belief on public safety are closely associated.
The Clark County prosecutor says local law enforcement often receives assistance from the DOJ, citing a recent sexual assault of a child case as an example. A conviction was won by an Assistant Attorney General, who prosecuted the case.
AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (MP3 :75)
