43. Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center
44. Medicaid Reestimate
45. Physician and Behavioral Health Funding
46. Crisis Intervention Services
47. Qualified Treatment Trainee Grants
48. Telehealth Expansion
49. Physical Health Service Provider Reimbursement
50. Hub-and-Spoke Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Model
51. Racine County Nursing Home Labor Region
52. Suicide Prevention Grant
53. FoodShare Employment and Training Administrative Funds
54. FoodShare Employment and Training Cost-to-Continue
55. Authority to Reallocate Positions
56. Birth to 3 Program
57. Nitrate Testing for Private Wells
58. Wisconsin Statewide Public Safety and Interoperable Communications System
E. TRANSPORTATION, TAX, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
59. Expansion of Auditing Activity
60. Defining Vapor Products
61. Tolling and Mileage-based Fee Study
62. Registration Fees by Weight Classification
63. Discretionary Supplement
64. Fuel Suppliers Administrative Allowance
65. Quarry Local Zoning Preemption
66. Supplemental Transportation Aids
67. Wheel Tax Fee Increase
68. Lieutenant Governor Security
69. Required Interchange for I-41 in Brown and Outagamie Counties
70. Initial Applicability of Registration Fee Increases
71. Noise Barrier in Milwaukee County
72. Passenger Rail
73. Direct Sale of Motor Vehicles from Manufacturer
74. City of Kaukauna Bridge
75. Alternative Project Delivery
76. Payments to Offset Reduction in Video Service Provider Fees
77. Economic Development Grant for Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Partnership
78. Fabrication Laboratories Grant Program
A. JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
1. Establishment of a Correctional Facility
Sections 9104 (1) (c) 1. c. and 9104 (7)
This provision requires the Department of Administration to expend funds for land acquisition, utility extensions and a request for proposals for a new maximum security correctional facility to replace the Green Bay Correctional Institution. Under the provision, land acquisition shall occur no later than December 1, 2020, and utility extensions shall occur no later than October 1, 2021.
I am partially vetoing this provision because I object to building a new maximum security correctional facility as we continue to explore needed criminal justice reform in Wisconsin. The current population pressures facing the Department of Corrections are being experienced primarily in minimum and medium security facilities, and while I am supportive of finding a solution to these pressures, I am not supportive of the insertion of a project for the construction of a new maximum security correctional facility late in the budget process and without the opportunity for more robust public input. By partially vetoing this provision, I am providing the Department of Corrections the flexibility to utilize these funds for higher priority institutional needs.
2. Type 1 Facility
Section 9104 (6) (d)
This section reduces the amount authorized for the Type 1 juvenile correctional facilities from $25,000,000 to $0.
I am vetoing this section because I object to the Legislature defunding the replacement of Lincoln Hills School and Copper Lake School. In order for the Department of Corrections to close these facilities as soon as possible, funding must be provided to build replacement facilities. This section, if adopted, would leave the department without a facility in which to place juveniles. This veto will allow the Department of Corrections and Department of Administration to continue with the design and construction of a new Type 1 facility.
3. Construction Projects
Sections 26m, 125 [as it relates to Non-state local project grant program], 126 [as it relates to s. 20.867 (3) (cw)] 307n, 309t and 9104 (1) (b) 1. a. This provision creates a grant program for construction projects for nonstate organizations. The Building Commission may authorize up to $25,000,000 in general fund supported borrowing. Each grant may not exceed $5,000,000.
I am partially vetoing this provision because I object to providing scarce state resources in this manner when there are higher priorities for this bonding. Under this partial veto, the Building Commission may award up to $25,000,000 in general fund supported borrowing for construction projects with a public purpose. As I am retaining the $3,000,000 allocation for the Incourage Community Foundation economic and community hub, I am directing that $22,000,000 of this funding support the construction of a new Type 1 facility for the Department of Corrections to replace Lincoln Hills School and plan to bring such a motion before the Building Commission to move this project forward. This will ensure that, as soon as possible, the state is able to provide housing for youth closer to their homes and in the least restrictive appropriate setting.
4. Center Bonding
Sections 26o, 125 [as it relates to Northern Wisconsin Regional Crisis Center], 126 [as it relates to s. 20.867 (3) (cx)], 307o, 309u, 9104 (1) (b) 1. b., and 9104 (10) This provision creates a grant program to a nonstate organization for the establishment of a northern Wisconsin regional crisis center. The Building Commission may authorize up to $15,000,000 in general fund supported borrowing for this purpose. Prior to issuing a grant, the Building Commission must first determine that the project is in the public interest and serves one or more public purposes that are statewide responsibilities of statewide dimension.
I am partially vetoing this provision because I object to this project not following the normal enumeration process that has been established by the Building Commission. Under this partial veto, the Building Commission may award up to $15,000,000 in general fund supported borrowing for a center. I am directing that this funding be used to support the expansion of the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center by the Department of Health Services and plan to bring such a motion before the Building Commission to move this project forward. This will ensure that the state is able to provide appropriate mental health treatment for youth.
5. Corrections Bonding
Sections 125 [as it relates to Correctional facilities], 306g and 306h
This provision reduces the bonding authority for correctional facilities from $951,679,900 to $950,412,900.
I am vetoing this provision because I object to reducing bonding authority for correctional facilities at a time when the Department of Corrections is facing multiple infrastructure needs after years of neglect. The Legislature previously authorized $951,679,900 in bonding authority for this purpose, and I believe that the bonding authority should be utilized for the department.
6. Assistant District Attorney Position Distribution
Section 9210 (1f)
This section provides funding and position authority to increase the authorized FTE assistant district attorney positions by 34.85 FTE GPR positions beginning on October 1, 2019. The section also allocates the positions to 32 different counties.
I am partially vetoing this section because I object to earmarking the positions to certain counties instead of assigning them to where they are most needed. I am directing the Department of Administration to work with the State Prosecutors Office to allocate the positions to counties in a manner that considers need holistically, including staffing needs based on creation or expansion of treatment alternatives and diversion programs, meeting with victims prior to charging, addressing backlogs, and utilizing available workload analyses. I have heard from public safety professionals that an allocation that considers these factors will help reduce the incarceration of nonviolent offenders and enable the district attorneys to take a thoughtful approach to cases, including utilizing diversion programs and other alternatives to incarceration, while maintaining public safety.
7. One Step Pay Progression
Section 9210 (1e)
This section provides $1,246,600 GPR in fiscal year 2019-20 and $2,231,300 GPR in fiscal year 2020-21 to provide a one step pay progression increase to eligible district attorneys on both July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020.
I am partially vetoing this section because I object to appropriating funds that could not be spent as currently drafted. While state statute allows for pay progression for deputy district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, district attorneys are not eligible to receive pay progression steps because their salary is set by statute. Instead, I am correcting the statutory language by eliminating the requirement that the pay progression be paid to the district attorneys. This will allow the one step increase to be awarded to eligible deputy district attorneys and assistant district attorneys. While I understand that state law requires pay progression to be awarded entirely based on merit, it is my hope that each eligible assistant district attorney and deputy district attorney receive a pay progression increase that is no less than the 2 percent increase each year, as I proposed originally in this budget.
8. Diversion Pilot Program
Section 9127 (2)
This provision continues the diversion pilot program for nonviolent offenders to be diverted to a treatment program. It also requires the Department of Justice to submit a report by September 1, 2020, to the Joint Committee on Finance describing the services, sites, capabilities and progress of the diversion pilot program for nonviolent offenders.
I am partially vetoing this provision to remove the reporting requirement. I object to a requirement that is unnecessary and administratively burdensome.
9. Beat Patrol Program
Sections 232m, 1799m and 9427 (3p)
This provision creates a new appropriation to fund law enforcement officer supplement grants with GPR for the 2019-21 biennium. The provision would also repeal the new GPR appropriation on July 1, 2021.
I am partially vetoing this provision to remove the July 1, 2021, repeal of the GPR appropriation because I object to removing the option to fund this program with GPR. The law enforcement officer supplement grant has historically been funded by the justice information fee. The justice information fee is frequently in deficit. Leaving the GPR appropriation in place would provide the Department of Justice with additional flexibility when making its budget request for law enforcement officer supplement grants for the 2021-23 biennium. Providing a stable funding source for this program is critical to ensuring public safety and giving our law enforcement officers the tools they need to safely protect our communities.
10. Treatment Alternatives and Diversion
Section 233
This section creates a new appropriation to the alternatives to incarceration program in counties that currently do not participate in the alternatives to incarceration program.
To address concerns raised by the Attorney General, I am partially vetoing this section to remove the requirement that only counties that currently do not participate in the alternatives to incarceration program are eligible for funding from this appropriation. I object to limiting flexibility for the Department of Justice. This change will ensure all the funds are invested in treatment alternatives and diversion. Although I am allowing the department flexibility to utilize funds in this appropriation for counties that already participate in the alternatives to incarceration program when needed, I request that the Department of Justice prioritize the funds in this appropriation for counties that currently do not participate in the alternatives to incarceration program prior to expanding existing programs from this appropriation.
11. Chronic Wasting Disease Research
Section 9132 (3y)
This section provides $100,000 in conservation SEG in fiscal year 2020-21 for research into genetic resistance to chronic wasting disease in farm raised deer. The research is to be conducted at a double-fenced deer farm in the southern part of the state that has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
I am partially vetoing this section because I object to limiting the flexibility of the department to perform research on chronic wasting disease to only certain areas of the state. Instead, I am directing the Department of Natural Resources to study all available options and use the funds for scientific research on chronic wasting disease that is likely to lead to the most success in improving deer management practices in Wisconsin.
12. Repair of State Trails
Section 9132 (3x)
This section directs the Department of Natural Resources to conduct necessary repairs to the portion of the 400 Trail between the village of La Valle in Sauk County and the village of Union Center in Juneau County and the portion of the Elroy-Sparta Trail between the city of Elroy in Juneau County and the village of Norwalk in Monroe County.
I am vetoing this section because I object to directing the department to repair specific trails. The flooding of 2018 caused damage throughout the state trails system, not just on these two trails. This veto would allow the department to prioritize repairs based on the best interests of the state and all trail users.
13. Well Compensation Grant
Section 126 [as it relates to s. 20.865 (4) (u)] This provision provides $400,000 SEG in each fiscal year in the appropriation under s. 20.865 (4) (u). The Department of Natural Resources could request the release of the funds under s. 13.10. The funds could be utilized for the well compensation grant program, although no provision in the bill would direct the funds to be expended on that program.
