The Goyke Report - Promises Kept
 


Friends and Neighbors,

 

I am writing to alert you about three very important pieces of legislation that I authored which were recently signed into law.

 

1.) Sheriff Sale Reform

2.) Juvenile Justice and Corrections Reform

3.) Statewide Creation of Family Drug Treatment Courts

 

Since my election to the legislature I have worked with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, on the details and merits of these legislative initiatives. I am excited to report that these are now law. A detailed breakdown of each piece of legislation is below and I welcome any feedback or questions you may have.

 

I'm proud of the relentless commitment to these solutions.

Hard work pays off.
As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.

 

All the best,



Evan Goyke
State Representative
18th Assembly District

 


 

Rep. Goyke with legislative colleagues after AB 953 - The Juvenile Justice and Corrections Reform Bill was signed into law

 

Sheriff Sale Reform

Promise: Increase Sales of Vacant and Foreclosed Homes

* Result - Assembly Bill 690 Passed

Promise: Stop Delinquent Landlords from Buying Vacant and Foreclosed Homes

* Result - Assembly Bill 691 Passed

 

"We want to make sure that individuals are not using sheriff sales as a money-making scheme while neglecting to pay the debt they owe to our city and to our state."

 - Rep. Evan Goyke

Residents of the 18th Assembly District know the problems that come with foreclosed homes. These homes need new owners that will invest in our community. Far too often these vulnerable homes are purchased by bad actors and cause problems for nearby residents.

Assembly Bill 690: Online Auctions

This bill will allow counties to host or contract sales of foreclosed properties via Internet-based auction and will create a better environment for bidders to buy foreclosed properties. The increased number of bidders and competition will help drive up properties' values and help more families access the sheriff sale process.


Assembly Bill 691: No Sales to Bad Actors

This bill prohibits a sheriff sale auction buyer from acquiring a new property if the buyer is already more than 120 days delinquent on property taxes or building code judgments. This will stop delinquent landlords from taking advantage of the process.

Rep. Goyke Takes a Stand Against Dishonest Landlords

Lincoln Hills Closure: History in the Making

Promise: Close Lincoln Hills

* Result - Juvenile Corrections Reform Signed Into Law

State of Wisconsin adopts reforms authored by Rep. Goyke


Since my election to the legislature, and prior in my career as a State Public Defender in Milwaukee, juvenile justice reform is something I have worked on daily. At the end of last year I conducted a policy briefing to the state legislature on the Wisconsin prison system. The briefing included an analysis of the State of Wisconsin’s correctional system, an examination of reforms adopted in conservative states across the country, and a discussion of legislative solutions.

The presentation first proposed many of the changes that have now become law.

The information presented is contained in the work Inmate 501 available here.

A video of the presentation is available here.

These proposals combined with others formed Assembly Bill 953, which was passed by the legislature this spring.

 

AB 953: Juvenile Corrections Reform

Lincoln Hills will close by January 1, 2021

Facilities to accommodate juveniles after closure - $80 Million to build/modernize facilities, including:

$15 Million for expanded capacity of Mendota Juvenile Mental Health Facility

$24 Million for DOC to construct 2 facilities, regionally focused for Adult jurisdiction and Serious Juvenile Offenders

$40 Million for Counties to develop Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth (SRCCCY's)

Collaborative process for the next two years by forming two committees to execute the planning needed for these changes. Many of the details, like location, capacity, and design will be worked through these committees.
 

Rep. Goyke (front-right) working with bi-partisan authors and legislative leaders on juvenile justice legislation.

 

Statewide Family Treatment Court

 

Promise: Provide Greater Access to Drug Treatment & Diversion Programs

 

* Result - Senate Bill 390 Passed

 

The legislation creates the infrastructure for an alternative drug rehabilitation program that focuses on developing sober households.

The family drug treatment court is an alternative drug rehabilitation program currently in use in more than 300 communities around the country. The court brings together social workers, attorneys, the judge and participants for a discussion focused on treatment and steps to reunifying the parent with children who have been removed from the home.

 

Milwaukee County was the first in Wisconsin to use the program. Since its inception in 2011 it has yielded tremendous success providing treatment to more than 260 families in need.

Family treatment courts and juvenile treatment courts are proven models that help individuals break the cycle of addiction, keep our communities safe, and save taxpayer dollars. I am proud to have worked on this legislation for two consecutive sessions following its introduction from a 2013 session Legislative Council Study Committee I served on as Vice-Chair. This bill will help save lives, repair families in need, and is another important step in combating drug addiction in Wisconsin.
 

 

 

Rep. Goyke speaking in the Assembly chamber during a late night debate


 

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