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Bail and benefits questions will be on Wisconsin’s April statewide ballot

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Wisconsin voters will be able to weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment on bail reform as part of the April statewide ballot. In Assembly debate Thursday, Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) argued against the proposal, and for pretrial detention.

“I support pretrial detention.” Goyke said. “I support people that pose a public safety risk being held in custody. But when we make that decision and that measure solely about money, we allow a subgroup of people the opportunity to buy their way out of jail.”

The amendment’s author, Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield), said pretrial detention has been on the books for decades in Wisconsin, but has never been used.

“Pretrial detention doesn’t work,” said Duchow. “It’s basically a mini trial before your trial. The victim has to come in and testify which can be traumatizing for a victim of violent crime. You have to have a whole little mini hearing. You have to have all your evidence. You have to have your DNA back. We don’t have the physical space to do it, nor do we have the finances to do it.”

Democrats argued that the proposed change will disproportionately impact low income Wisconsinites, while allowing those with the financial resources to pay higher bail amounts.

“If we’re serious about safety, there are other measures to do that,” said Representative Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee). She noted prosecutors and public defenders are understaffed and underfunded.

The measure will allow judges to consider past convictions of those charged with crimes, as well as “the need to protect the community from serious harm” and “prevent the intimidation of witnesses,” when setting bail. Judges are currently only allowed to set bail amounts to ensure an individual appears back in court.

Duchow said that will still leave judges and court commissioners with considerable discretion. “They’re gonna look back at their (defendants) past criminal convictions. They’re going to sort out the dangers to the community and then they’re going to set their bail. And if they want to set it for $10 they can do it, if they want to set it for 10 million. We are not handcuffing our judges.”

Ten Democrats voted to approve the amendment which passed 74-23, following state Senate approval on Tuesday. Passage by two consecutive legislative sessions is required before proposed constitutional amendments go to voters.

The Assembly also approved putting a nonbinding, advisory referendum on the ballot. Voters will be asked if childless, able bodied adults should be required to apply for work in order to receive state funded welfare benefits.

That’s something that’s already required under state law. “It is amazing to see the mental gymnastics that Wisconsin Republicans are actively pursuing to make sense of something that already is happening,” said Representative Christina Shelton (D-Green Bay.)

Republicans argue it’s not being enforced. This is something the state’s supposed to be doing,” said Representative Jon Plumer (R-Lodi). “It’s not the only instance in the state of Wisconsin where an agency is not following the letter of the law.”

It’s an advisory referendum, meaning no action is required if approved by voters.

DNR tightens fish consumption advisories for Madison, Wausau, Stevens Point lakes

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There are new fish consumption advisories being posted for the Yahara chain near Madison, and some lakes in Central Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources is recommending people limit the amount of fish they eat from the Yahara chain of lakes, Lake Wausau, and the Lake Du Bay chain.

DNR Toxicologist Sean Strom says new testing in those areas shows increased PFAS contamination in popular fish like bass, crappies, and walleyes. “So certainly go out continue fishing, continue to eat those fish, but just be aware of the consumption advisories that might be in place for that given body of water.”

Strom says the updates are part of the agency’s efforts to protect the public. “So in about 2017, we started to include PFAS as part of that monitoring. And as a result, the more you look, the more we have found. And so when warranted, consumption advisories are issued.”

You can find full fish advisories online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/consumption 

FBI offers reward in firebombing at pro-life office

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The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest for last spring’s arson at a Madison pro life office. The FBI says its investigation shows two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the office of Wisconsin Family Action early last May.

Outside the building, investigators found graffiti and a broken window. The fire was quickly put out by the Madison Fire Department and no one was hurt.

Several days after the incident, a group dubbed ‘Jane’s Revenge’ claimed credit. Wisconsin Family Action also has a 15 hundred dollar reward for information.

WIBA

Kaul announces Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force

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Wisconsin’s Attorney General has announced a new statewide, multi-agency task force to support survivors of human trafficking. Josh Kaul was in Milwaukee Wednesday to introduce the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Project Respect.

“This task force is designed to do is to improve our data collection so we have a clearer picture of the scope of trafficking,” Kaul said.

The AG said the collaboration will bring law enforcement and victim service providers together to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases at the federal and local levels. The effort is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.

 

Harley-Davidson will celebrate 120th Anniversary in Milwaukee

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Harley-Davidson is putting together a big celebration for its 120th anniversary. The American motorcycle manufacturing firm announced Homecoming Festival events to happen July 13th through the 16th to celebrate the company’s anniversary.

Those events will happen at venues across the Milwaukee area, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, and Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront, with family-friendly activities and music from headliners Foo Fighters and Green Day on the 14th and 15th.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/content/event-calendar/homecoming/ticket-options.html

Harley-Davidson Museum Vice-President Bill Davidson tells Fox 6 Milwaukee that the event is going to be spectacular. “I hope that my future relatives will be able to walk through the Harley-Davidson Museum and read about this epic event,” Davidson said

More information can be found online.

Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments in Aurora Health Ivermectin case

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The State Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case over the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. In 2019, Aurora Health refused to administer ivermectin to John Zingsheim, after his family got a prescription for it from outside of the Aurora network.

The FDA and most major medical groups maintain that ivermectin is ineffective against COVID.

ZIngsheim’s nephew, Allen Gahl, sued the hospital to force the treatment, and a local court sided with him. The appeals court ruled in favor of Aurora, saying the courts had no legal authority to force doctors to perform medical treatments. Gahl’s attorney says this is a case about personal freedoms.

Dane County Sheriff wants voters to have a say on new jail

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The Dane County Board of Supervisors will consider a jail funding resolution Thursday night. At a Wednesday press conference, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett at a Tuesday press conference and three of his predecessors as sheriff urged the 37 member county board to put a $13.5 million jail consolidation funding question to the voters.

“I am embarrassed to see the conditions of our Dane County Jail,” Barrett said. Barrett invited opponents of a new jail to walk through the existing facility in the City-County Building, which dates from the 1950s. Former Sheriff Dave Mahoney said bad conditions inside that facility means some inmates are being sent elsewhere, including as far away as the Oneida County Jail in Rhinelander.

Opponents of a new jail have called for the county to first address racial disparities in its incarcerated population. Barrett said it’s important for Dane County voters to have a say.

“I too agree with the words of a member of our actual own Dane County Black Caucus, who said less than 10 months ago that it’s difficult to make a decision with 37 different individuals.”

Morris pleads guilty in fatal 2021 Weston stabbing

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A Marathon County man entered a guilty plea to first-degree intentional homicide on Tuesday. David Morris was given the mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for stabbing Renee Hindes in the spring of 2021 at a Weston apartment, then threatening police with the knife as they responded to the scene.

Morris, who was shot by officers but survived, will also pay $5,000 into the crime victims fund and will pay court costs. The plea deal saw a handful of other charges, including false imprisonment and a count of battery by prisoners, dismissed but read in. Morris has been held at the Dodge Correctional Institute while awaiting trial, it’s unclear if that is also where he will serve his sentence.

WSAU

Senate Republicans pass welfare referendum question

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At the Capitol on Tuesday, state Senate Republicans passed a referendum question on welfare benefits, and rejected one from Democrats on abortion rights.

Minority Leader Melissa Agard of Madison noted that voters would be asked to weigh in on a law that already exists. “Advisory referendums are supposed to do just that: advise. So the people are going to advise lawmakers on something that is already the law in the state of Wisconsin. That only makes sense if you’re looking at the world through a cynical and political lens.”

Governor Tony Evers joined Agard and other Democrats in calling for the Senate to take up the abortion resolution. The Democratic measure to repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban was rejected on a party line vote. Democrats call the referendum question requiring able-bodied child-less adults look for work in order to receive welfare benefits an attempt to gin up conservative turnout in the state Supreme Court election.

The state Assembly will need to pass the advisory referendum on welfare benefits in order for it to appear on the April statewide ballot.

Milwaukee Common Council approves zoning for new youth prison

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The Milwaukee Common Council voted Tuesday to approve rezoning for construction of a new youth prison in the city. The new facility, which would replace the troubled Lincoln Hills youth detention facility in central Wisconsin, would house the state’s most serious young offenders.

Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr said the new Milwaukee facility will keep youth from committing more crime, as well as keep them in the justice system. “One of the hopes of being able to move our youth closer to home is to be better able to engage the families in some sort of counseling and therapy,” Carr said.

The site chosen, a former Milwaukee emissions testing center, was selected by Governor Tony Evers’ administration last August.