The Assembly Budget’s Disregard
for Public Safety
by Senator Bob Wirch
The budget that was passed in June by the Assembly Republicans is very disrespectful towards police officers who work tirelessly to ensure that we have safe places to live and work. The broad cuts by the Assembly Republicans would have severe and far-reaching effects, not only on public safety, but on education, health care and economic development.
The Assembly Republicans cut $58 million to shared revenue that is distributed to local governments. It is unrealistic to believe that communities will be able to absorb a reduction of that magnitude without cutting vital public safety services.
Assembly Republicans slashed the law enforcement officer supplement grant program by 50 percent, reducing grants to cities so that they may employ additional law enforcement officers whose primary duty is “beat patrolling.” This is a major threat to public safety. A strong police presence in our communities is essential to deter criminal behavior and enforce the law, especially in high-crime areas.
In another very alarming move, the Assembly Republicans eliminated nearly 200 corrections positions. At a time when prison populations are so high, can we really afford to pull 200 guards out of our system? Making our prisons much more dangerous by eliminating guards is not the way to go.
The Republican budget also cuts nearly $13 million in direct state support for Wisconsin’s technical colleges, which would reduce funding for over 20,000 students seeking additional job and career skills training – causing hardship on those who may wish to go into law enforcement.
In addition to making sure that the Senate’s version of the budget supports public safety, I also fought for a provision that would allow for police officers and firefighters to challenge disciplinary matters through an alternative procedure as negotiated under a collectively-bargained agreement. The Senate budget would permit collective bargaining agreements to establish different dispute resolution procedures, including arbitration. I believe that this proposal, adopted by the Senate and cut by the Assembly, would put police officers and firefighters on the same playing field as other public employees when it comes to discipline resolution.
The Assembly Republicans clearly have no regard for the people who work so hard to protect and serve, and I can assure you that my colleagues and I in the Senate will continue to fight to protect your interests just as you fight to protect our communities.
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Senator Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) represents Wisconsin’s 22nd State Senate District, which includes most of Kenosha County. A former factory worker and army reservist, Bob Wirch was elected to the State Assembly in 1992 and has served in the State Senate since 1996.
