Wisconsin taxpayers would spend an extra 57-million dollars a year to send repeat criminals back to prison, as part of a bill approved by the state Senate Tuesday. The measure from Wauwatosa Republican Leah Vukmir would revoke probation, parole, and extended supervision to those charged with new felonies and violent misdemeanors — and it now goes to the Assembly after senators okayed it 20-12. Vukmir said she can’t tolerate offenders on probation committing new crimes, but Democrats say the prisons are already overcrowded and treatment is a better option. Senators also voted 29-4 in favor of a constitutional amendment that gives crime victims new rights, including the ability to refuse to talk with defense lawyers. The measure now goes to the Assembly, and it would have to be approved by both houses again in the next session and then by the voters in a statewide referendum.
Senate OKs $57 Million Crime Package, OKs Rights For Crime Victims
Nov 8, 2017 | 2:00 PM
State News