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Assembly approves juvenile corrections reforms

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Lincoln Hills School (Photo: WI DOC)

The state Assembly has passed legislation that would overhaul the state’s juvenile corrections system.

The bill approved unanimously on Wednesday would close the state’s troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison by 2021, moving offenders to new state or county-run facilities. If signed by the governor, Democratic state Representative David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) said will make the first major changes to the system in 22 years. “I think that we have a chance to really set a new course for the state of Wisconsin on how we get young people back on the right track, to be able to be contributing members of our communities,” he said during debate on the Assembly floor Wednesday.

The push to change how juvenile corrections operates comes after years of reports about abuse at Lincoln Hills, and concerns about the safety of inmates and staff. While Governor Scott Walker initially said he was confident in how the facility was operating, he began calling earlier this year for lawmakers to begin the process of reforming the system before the current session ends for the year.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has raised doubts about it passing before the session ends. Based on changes made to the proposal and approved by the Assembly though, Senate Republican Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said Wednesday he’s optimistic about it receiving a vote when the chamber meets next month.

“We have to change what we’re doing…we can’t continue to just house juveniles and have the recidivism rate as high as it is,” he told reporters. “I think this will help us get to that point.”

Republicans propose adding new prosecutors in 40 Wisconsin counties

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Wisconsin Capitol (WRN photo)

Several Wisconsin counties could see new prosecutors added to their District Attorney’s office.

A proposal from state Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and other Republicans would add about 54 new assistant district attorney positions in 40 counties by mid-2019. The Assembly will consider the plan during its final session day on Thursday, as an amendment to an existing bill.

“This is about real justice for crime victims around the state,” the Marinette Republican said during a Capitol news conference on Wednesday. “Swift and certain justice is an important tool…for keeping our citizens safe.”

The push to add new prosecutors comes after a 2014 study highlighted staffing shortages in offices across the state. The current plan focuses mainly on rural areas or those with smaller populations, which means many of the state’s larger counties would not see additional staff added.

Democratic state Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) argued the measures falls short because it fails to address shortages in public defenders and judges. “You can’t add prosecutors without adding judges to hear the cases that they’re going to charge,” he pointed out. “We can’t just add positions on one side of the courtroom without addressing the effects that does on the entire system as a whole.”

Nygren said addressing all of those needs will take time. “Government is incremental,” he said. “As more resources are available in the future, I would continue to believe that this would be a focus for us.”

Debate over gun control hits the Capitol

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Madison high school students call for action on gun control legislation. (Photo: Andrew Beckett)

Assembly Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for a vote Tuesday on legislation that would have required background checks on all gun purchases in Wisconsin.

The effort got bogged down in a nearly four-hour procedural debate, after Republicans amended the bill to remove the background check language – adding provisions dealing with straw purchases of firearms and creating grants for school safety officers.

Madison Democrat Lisa Subeck was critical of the move, calling it a “bait and switch.”

Democrats accused the GOP of trying to avoid a vote on background checks, which they noted are widely supported by the public. However, Republican Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie argued it was more about how they were trying to pass the bill though. “This deplorable blockhead believes in background checks,” she said during debate on the Assembly floor, while taking issue with the effort to call the bill for a vote without going through the committee process.

The amended legislation eventually passed on a bipartisan 71-24 vote.

The debate came just hours after dozens of high school students from Madison attended a press conference at the Capitol to call for legislative action on gun control. Sophomore Lydia Hester pointed to the active shooter drills she’s had to go through kindergarten. “This is not something that a five-year-old should have to think about,” she said. “Kids are dying for your right to own a gun – is your gun really worth hundreds of lives?”

The teens joined Democratic lawmakers in calling for votes on stalled bills that would require background checks, bar people convicted of domestic violence from having a gun, and ban the sale or manufacture of bump stocks.

Judges Dallet and Screnock advance in Supreme Court primary

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File photo

April’s state Supreme Court race will be between Sauk County Judge Michael Screnock and Milwaukee County Judge Rebecca Dallet, after the two advanced out of a three-way primary Tuesday. Madison attorney Tim Burns, whose campaign focused heavily on his Democratic leanings, was eliminated after coming in third.

Screnock called his win proof that voters want a fair and impartial judiciary. “The next justice of our Supreme Court needs to be one that will uphold the rule of law, that will respect the separation of powers, and that will interpret the constitution as it was originally intended…and not be a justice that’s looking to invent new rights or be creative from the bench,” he said.

Dallet also argued her focus on being impartial played a role in her victory. “I think my message of experience and values really resonated with the people of the state,” she said. “They are tired of the special interest money that has poured into our state – they want to fight back.”

While unofficial returns show Screnock receiving the most votes in Tuesday’s non-partisan primary, Dallet and Burns were widely seen to be competing for the same block of voters – those with more Democratic leanings. The two combined received thousands of votes more than the more conservative-aligned Screnock, although he contends he’s not worried about that carrying over to the general election in six weeks. “When you look at the campaigns they were running, it was clear that they were running against each other,” Screnock said in an interview with WRN. “I ran into voters…who believed that they had a primary and I did not.”

Screnock also noted that the primary is typically a low turn-out election, and he expects more voters to get involved before the general election on April 3rd.

Despite bad weather, Supreme Court primary will go on

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WRN file photo

Despite some bad weather in parts of the state, voting in today’s Supreme Court primary is expected to go on as planned.

Outside of the governor postponing the election, Reid Magney with the Wisconsin Elections Commission says polling locations around the state should open as planned at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 this evening.

That said, Magney notes that turnout for Supreme Court primaries is typically low – averaging just over 7 percent in the past five elections. As a result, he advises that “there’s no need to be there early, there’s no need to beat the line.”

The only statewide race on the ballot is a three-way primary for the state Supreme Court between Milwaukee County Judge Rebecca Dallet, Sauk County Judge Michael Screnock, and Madison attorney Tim Burns. The top two will go on to face each other in the April election.

Wisconsin lawmaker proposes allowing concealed carry in private schools

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A Republican state lawmaker wants to allow concealed carry permit holders to have a guns with them in private schools.

The bill from state Representative Jesse Kremer of Kewaskum comes just days after a shooting at a Florida high school that killed 17 people. The proposal would make it legal to carry a gun at private, religious or tribal schools – if a person has a concealed carry license and the school has a policy allowing it.

In a column posted on Right Wisconsin, Kremer argues gun-free school zones only increase the danger faced by children and teachers, and allowing teachers or parents to be armed may discourage an attack. “If this additional, untapped tool can be utilized to discourage a school attack or to disarm an attacker, then why are your elected officials preventing its use,” he asks.

The bill is unlikely to see any movement in the Legislature this session. Kremer set a Friday deadline for co-sponsor to sign on. That’s a day after the Assembly is expected to wrap up its work for the session.

Low turnout likely for Wisconsin Supreme Court primary

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An early voting location in Madison. (Photo: Andrew Beckett)

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide which of the three candidates for the high court will advance to the spring election in April. If history is any guide, turnout at the polls could be relatively low.

Milwaukee County Judge Rebecca Dallet, Sauk County Judge Michael Screnock, and Madison attorney Tim Burns are all running for the seat currently held by Justice Michael Gableman, who is not seeking re-election.

While the state Elections Commission is not offering a turn-out prediction for the race, February primaries typically see only a small portion of voters casting ballots. The average turn-out for the last five Supreme Court primaries was just 7.3 percent of the voting-age population.

Vote on ‘alcohol czar’ bill cancelled

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Wisconsin Capitol (WRN photo)

A state Senate committee will not vote on legislation creating an ‘alcohol czar’ to oversee state liquor laws – at least for the time being.

Lawmakers held a lengthy hearing on the bill Thursday, during which several craft brewery owners turned out to testify against it. State Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), the chair of the committee, cancelled a plan executive session this morning after hearing their concerns, and he’s not sure when or if it will be rescheduled.

“We are waiting to see where the Senators come down on this, and see if there’s any amendments coming forth, but right now I don’t have a plan to schedule one in the near future,” he said. “That could change at any time, if there’s amendments.”

The Fond du Lac Republican is also calling on leadership to create a committee to review Wisconsin’s liquor laws and look at ways to modernize them. “A broad look at updating these laws, many of which date back to prohibition and are no longer in sync with modern times, is long overdue,” he argued.

Wetlands development changes clear the Assembly

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WRN image

The state Assembly has approved legislation that will allow developers to fill some wetland areas without a permit.

The bill would apply to smaller wetland areas that are under state control – primarily those near urban areas that are under an acre in size and under three acres in rural areas. Republicans contend the changes are needed to simplify a process that can delay development and tack on thousands of dollars in extra costs.

State Representative Nick Milroy (D-South Range) was among Democrats who argued the bill would negatively affect wildlife habitat though. “It’s been said that this is the worst bill for sportsmen in a generation,” he said. “That’s because wetlands are some of the most supportive habitat for fish and wildlife.”

During debate in the Assembly Thursday night, Republican Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) noted many wildlife groups now support the bill or are neutral, after changes were made to ensure quality wetland areas are still protected. “No high quality wetlands will be filled in because of this bill,” he said.

The bill passed on a 58 to 39 vote. It now heads to the state Senate.

Uncertain future for ‘alcohol czar’ legislation

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While the Senate held a public hearing on a bill overhauling the enforcement of liquor laws, the chances of the bill passing in the Assembly remain uncertain.

The so-called “alcohol czar” legislation would create a new office to enforce the state’s liquor laws, and create a new exemption for brandy sold by Kohler resorts. Senators heard hours of testimony Thursday from members of the brewing industry who oppose the bill. They argue it’s being rushed through with little input and could damage a growing industry.

While Assembly Speaker Robin Vos agrees changes to how the state enforces liquor laws may be needed, he has doubts about it passing this session. “I think it’s very difficult to move that bill,” Vos told reporters Thursday afternoon.

The Senate could take up the measure as early as next week.