I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to this unfunded mandate on the Department of Corrections that moves Wisconsin in the wrong direction on criminal justice reform. This bill is estimated to have a fiscal impact of more than $200 million in just the first two years and hundreds of millions of dollars in unknown, ongoing costs to state taxpayers in the years to follow. This significant price tag does not include construction costs to build additional state correctional facilities, which would likely be needed, or take into account the fiscal impact on local governments.
Investing in evidence-based programming that addresses barriers to reentry, enhances educational and vocational opportunities for returning citizens, and provides treatment for mental health and substance use issues has shown to be an effective way to reduce recidivism and save taxpayer money while improving public safety. My budget made strides by investing in the Opening Avenues to Reentry Success and Treatment, Alternatives, and Diversion programs. My budget also proposed a two-percent increase in shared revenues for our local governments that would have helped them manage public safety costs. Sadly, this funding increase for local governments was removed by the legislature.
Research also indicates that early childhood education and after school programs have been shown to reduce crime and improve outcomes for kids. I would support additional investments in evidence-based programming, our public schools, and our local governments as an effective way to improve public safety and strengthen our communities. I welcome a conversation with legislators about these investments and hope to see broad, bipartisan support for these commonsense ideas.
Leaders at the federal level and in states like Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Texas have been able to enact meaningful and bipartisan criminal justice reform through policies that focus on rehabilitation and reduce incarceration, particularly the over-incarceration of poor people and people of color. A massive and costly expansion of our prison system would take Wisconsin down the wrong path.
I also object to removing the discretion of the Department of Corrections to recommend whether to revoke an individual's extended supervision, parole, or probation and to the lack of due process the bill provides. Even if the new charges against the individual are dismissed or the person is found not guilty, the person could still have his or her extended supervision, probation, or parole revoked.
The provisions included in 2019 Assembly Bill 805 revert to antiquated policies which resulted in mass incarceration. I will not move Wisconsin in the wrong direction on criminal justice reform and public safety.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
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February 28, 2020
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
hist121524I am vetoing 2019 Assembly Bill 806 in its entirety. The bill would expand eligibility for placement in the serious juvenile offender program to include all offenses that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a Class G felony or higher.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to increasing the number of youths that could be placed in the serious juvenile offender program when science informs us that a punitive disposition system leads to worse outcomes. As I have said, what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state, and it is vital that our efforts in reforming our criminal justice system recognize that our kids are worth much more than the worst decision they ever made. In addition, the Legislature has chosen not to provide the necessary funding for facilities to replace the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake schools. A youth offender has the greatest opportunity to redeem themselves and be rehabilitated only when the appropriate investment is made in programs and facilities that enable success.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
_____________
February 28, 2020
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing 2019 Assembly Bill 808 in its entirety.
The bill would prohibit a prosecutor from dismissing or amending a charge of illegally possessing a firearm or placing the individual in a deferred prosecution program if an individual has been previously convicted, or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, of committing a violent crime, unless the dismissal or amending of the charge is approved by the court. The bill would further require the court to notify the Legislature if the court approves the dismissal or amending of a charge of illegally possessing a firearm.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to restricting the discretion of prosecutors and judges to address the alleged violation before them. I also object because the bill restricts the availability of deferred prosecution programs. As I have said, we need to be smarter on crime. Evidence suggests that diversion programs, including deferred prosecution programs, are more cost-effective and have better outcomes than traditional incarceration. I further object because the bill would create an administratively burdensome reporting requirement.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
_____________
February 28, 2020
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
hist121521I am vetoing 2019 Assembly Bill 809 in its entirety. This bill further limits who is eligible to participate in prison early release programs and who is eligible for early discharge from probation.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to further restricting the Department of Corrections’ discretion to determine who is eligible for certain early release programs and who is a good candidate for early discharge from probation. The Department of Corrections has an important role to play in working to improve public safety while also providing opportunities for meaningful rehabilitation. That includes identifying when people have paid their debt to society for prior actions and ensuring fair and compassionate decisions are made when they are able to safely return to our communities. We should be coming up with ways to reduce prison populations and incentivize rehabilitation, not the other way around.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
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Communications
February 28, 2020
Patrick E. Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
hist121262Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 577, relating to the possession of a firearm by a person who has committed a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or by a fugitive from justice and providing a penalty. Sincerely,
KATRINA SHANKLAND
State Representative
71st Assembly District
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February 28, 2020
Patrick E. Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
hist121405Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 548, relating to creating a task force on missing and murdered tribal women and girls and making an appropriation. Sincerely,
AMY LOUDENBECK
State Representative
31st Assembly District
