Capitol Commentary

James L. Palmer, II
WPPA Assistant Executive Director & Director of Governmental Affairs

Governor Doyle Signs The WPPA’s Inquest Bill Into Law

On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, Governor Jim Doyle formally signed the WPPA's inquest bill into law. Act 73 requires public employers to reimburse law enforcement officers and other public safety employees for reasonable attorneys fees when they are exonerated by inquests into their on-duty conduct. Introduced by State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) and State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon), this new law protects public safety employees from having to second-guess their actions out of fear that a potential inquest could lead to financial ruin. The WPPA has sought this bill for many years, and the fact that it is now the law is an outstanding achievement.

Make no mistake about it, the WPPA has been the only group pushing for this important legislation. The WPPA alone presented this issue to the legislature, worked with the drafters on the language, testified on behalf of the bill at each and every committee hearing, and lobbied legislators individually, as well as collectively. The inquest bill was approved by the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee on September 6, the Senate Judiciary, Corrections, and Privacy Committee on September 13, by the full Senate on November 1, and by the full Assembly on December 6. The WPPA thanks Governor Doyle, our state legislators, and especially the many WPPA members who took the time to contact their elected officials. This law would not exist today were it not for the efforts of our members.

Concealed Carry Bill Forges Ahead

Legislation to allow Wisconsinites to carry concealed weapons underwent a flurry of changes late in 2005. Dubbed the “Personal Protection Act,” the measure would permit people to carry a concealed weapon if they undergo a 22-hour training course. The permit would be good for five years and further training would be needed to renew the permit. The bill also provides specific training and certification standards to enable retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in compliance with a federal law enacted in 2004.

This legislation would ban people from carrying concealed weapons into child care centers, churches, college campuses, domestic violence centers, health care facilities, nonprofit organizations that serve children and youth sporting events. Recent amendments would lower the allowable blood alcohol concentration for those carrying a concealed weapon to 0.02, would create a 100-foot safety zone around schools, and make the filing of a false application a felony.

The amended bill also now enables officers to check the concealed carry permit database when stopping the driver of a motor vehicle. Officers still would not be allowed to check weapons permits when making other types of calls, such as a disturbance at a home. In addition, police officers who reveal the names of permit holders, build a list of permit holders, or use excessive force in stopping a permit holder could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor.

The senate must still approve the amended bill, which Governor Doyle has indicated he will veto.

WPPA Convention to Host Forum for Candidates for Governor, Attorney General

Currently, U.S. Congressman Mark Green and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will compete against one another in the September republican primary to see who will oppose Governor Jim Doyle, who is seeking reelection. In the attorney general’s race, former U.S. Attorney J.B. Van Hollen and current Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher are vying for the republican nomination. Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager will have to defend herself in a democratic primary against Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

On May 21, 2006, the WPPA Annual Convention will host two one-hour candidate forums for those individuals running for governor and attorney general, all of whom have been invited. In order to treat the candidates fairly and impartially, and to avoid promoting or advancing any candidate over another, a number of strict guidelines have been established.

The forum will be conducted in a town-hall style format in which I will act as moderator. WPPA members attending the convention will have the opportunity to fill out question cards, and those members who cannot attend can submit questions to me via e-mail at palmer@wppa.com. Due to the limited timeframe allowed for the forums, I will screen and pose all questions submitted. As such, please limit your questions to law enforcement and labor related issues generally.

Following the two forums, I will conduct a focus group open to all WPPA members. In the focus group, attendees will be asked about their impressions of the candidates.

The forums and focus group will play a predominant role in the WPPA’s political action committee’s endorsement determinations. I encourage you to attend the WPPA’s annual convention to participate in what should be an exciting and informative opportunity for our membership, as well as to take advantage of the other educational and social activities offered at the Kalahari Resort on May 20-22.

Established as a fraternal organization in 1932, the WPPA now provides a wide variety of services to its members, representing them at the bargaining table, in the workplace, as well as in the state legislature. With nearly 11,000 members from over 375 local associations, the WPPA plans to actively support those candidates deemed to best represent the values of our membership. In so doing, we can build off of legislative victories, like the inquest bill, and see that more WPPA initiatives are successfully enacted into law.

Have a happy new year!