Assembly In Session
The Assembly Rules Committee has finalized its floor calendars for Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8.  Among the items scheduled for Tuesday include a bill to limit the types of food that can be purchased by users of the state's FoodShare program. Wednesday's calendar will include final passage of Assembly Bill 85 (AB 85), which would modify Milwaukee County's governance structure.  Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced last week in Milwaukee that his chamber would take up Senate Bill 95, the companion to AB 85 on May 14.  

Senate In Session

Although the Senate is expected to be in session on either Tuesday or Wednesday, a calendar has not yet been released. 

 

Joint Finance Committee Continues Work on Budget
The Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) will meet on Thursday, May 9 to continue its action on Governor Walker's $68 billion spending plan.  The JCF is expected to convene up to three days next week in order to complete its action on the spending document in time for both houses of the Legislature to act on the legislation before mid-June, the tentative goal legislative leaders have set for completing their work on the budget.

The JCF's Executive Session is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. to take up the following Boards, agencies and portions of agencies (NOTE: Those sections impacting counties appear in bold lettering.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has also prepared issue papers on selected topics.):  

• Employment Relations Commission
• Investment Board
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Government Accountability Board
• Legislature
• Public Service Commission/E911
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Direct Aid Payments
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Tax Credits
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Taxation
• Tax "Freeze" (New vs. Net)
• Carryover Provision
• Negative Debt Adjustment
• Utility Tax Payment
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Local Revenue Options
• Residency Requirements
• Local Governments Employee Residency Requirements
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• Safety and Professional Services -- Department-wide and Professional Regulation
• Safety and Professional Services -- Buildings and Environmental Regulation
• Veterans Affairs -- Veterans Homes, Cemeteries, and Memorial
• Wisconsin Technical College System

AG Issues Formal Opinion on Deputy Sheriffs' Ability to Serve on County Board
In his formal opinion, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said a deputy sheriff, whether paid or unpaid by the county, can not also be elected or appointed as a county board supervisor.  In a news conference announcing his decision, the Attorney General said "incompatibility exists where the respective duties of two offices conflict, regardless of whether any compensation is paid."  Read a memo outlining the AG's decision from WCA general counsel here.  

CJCC OK's Recommendation to Expand Diversion Courts
The state Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has endorsed expanding the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion program as part of the 2013-15 biennial state budget.
The TAD program currently provides about $1 million annually for specialty court and jail diversion programs in nine counties. A 2011 study by the UW Population Health Institute found that in the first three years of their operation, the state-funded TAD programs saved an average of $1.93 for every $1 spent. The study also found that seventy-six percent of TAD participants had not committed a new offense within three years of completing the program.

In addition to the state-funded TAD programs, a number of counties operate specialty courts, such as treatment courts and veterans' courts, and other alternatives to incarceration without state funding. These programs have also been credited for saving money and reducing crime.

The council's recommendation could make more county TAD programs eligible for state funding or expand the scope of existing TAD programs.  Governor Walker and the Legislature still must approve the expansion.

The vote marks the first policy recommendation the 20-member council has made since Gov. Walker created it last year. The council, which is co-chaired by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Corrections Secretary Ed Wall, is responsible for advising the governor and lawmakers on criminal justice policy. The council includes representatives from state agencies, law enforcement, district attorneys, public defenders, and county government.

Chief Justice Lauds County Drug Courts
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson recently recognized county drug courts as an effective approach to improving the justice system.  Her statement, which coincides with National Drug Court Month, outlines how drug courts can be credited with improving public safety, reducing recidivism and improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.  Click here to read her full statement.

Legislative Committee Meetings
*    The Joint Committee on Finance will hold an executive session on Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. on a number of Board, agencies and portions of agencies (listed above).
*    The Assembly Committee on Judiciary will hold an executive session on Thursday, May 9 at 1:30 p.m. on Assembly Bill 180, relating to penalties and testing for operating while intoxicated offenses and providing a penalty.  WCA opposes this bill.  Click here to see WCA's testimony.