Law Enforcement Reforms

I was pleased to join my Assembly colleagues this week in passing a package of legislation that reforms law enforcement policies and addresses racial disparities in Wisconsin.

The seven bills approved by the state Assembly relate to no-knock search warrants, school resource officers, requiring prospective law enforcement officers to complete a psychological exam prior to employment, crisis training, body cameras, drug testing of law enforcement personnel and crisis program enhancement grants.

All of these bills were drafted based on recommendations from the Law Enforcement Policies and Standards Subcommittee of the Speaker’s Task Force on Racial Disparities, which held eight public hearings in the past year. The members of that panel consist of lawmakers, activists and law enforcement officials.

What impresses me most about this subcommittee is that they were able to work together to reach a consensus on many proposals that should strengthen relationships and accountability between communities of color and the police. 

Many members of the subcommittee have diverse backgrounds, and I believe those differences were vital in drafting such a comprehensive package. You really can’t understand what someone else is going through until you carefully listen to them and walk in their shoes. It is tremendously reassuring that the members were able to empathize with each other and collaborate for the common good of all Wisconsinites.

In the end, both the activists and law enforcement community wanted greater transparency. The vast majority of law enforcement officials are committed public servants doing a very difficult and dangerous job to the best of their abilities. They know that transparency will only reinforce this.

Long-Term Care Investments

I am happy to report that the Joint Finance Committee has decided to make a significant investment in long-term care services and nursing homes across our state.

A budget motion approved this week by JFC includes $104 million for direct care workers and $78 million for personal care agencies. It also provides $252 million for increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care centers that serve people with intellectual disabilities.

At a time when Wisconsin’s long-term care system is facing unprecedented labor and Medicaid funding challenges, I am glad that JFC made this commitment to further assist some of our most vulnerable residents.

As is the case with most industries right now, many long-term care programs are experiencing workforce shortages. A portion of the funding approved by JFC enhances the Direct Care Workforce Fund, which helps long-term care providers recruit and retain staff who can work in residential and non-residential settings.

We need to ensure that everyone who needs quality long-term care can receive it, and I believe bolstering our workforce is a positive first step.

As part of the budget motion, JFC also increased the reimbursement rates for outpatient mental health and substance abuse services by 15 percent and child and adolescent day treatment services by 20 percent. Additionally, Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental care were raised by 40 percent.

Furthermore, JFC voted to fund an additional 18 dementia care specialists at County Aging and Disability Resource Centers and seven tribal dementia care specialist positions. The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association says expanding the Dementia Care Specialist Program is one of the most cost-effective ways of assisting individuals with Alzheimer’s by allowing them to maintain the highest quality of life while remaining in their homes.

JFC members also increased funding for the Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program by $500,000 over the biennium. The AFCSP helps with paying for such services as respite care, adult day care and transportation.

To see what long-term care organizations are saying about this section of the proposed state budget, please click here, here, here, here and here.

Environment Committee

The Assembly Environment Committee that I chair held an executive session this week where we recommended passage of a bill that makes changes to the state's electronic waste recycling program.

I am pleased the committee took this action because E-Cycle Wisconsin has been a tremendous asset to our state. But, as always, we should continually strive to make things better.

Assembly Bill 254 is expected to do just that by helping the Department of Natural Resources with collecting information that will improve the program's future without adding regulatory burdens. The bipartisan legislation will also provide stakeholders with more clarity.

Over the past decade, E-Cycle Wisconsin has resulted in the recovery of an estimated 47 million pounds of steel, 8 million pounds of aluminum and 16 million pounds of copper. With this bill, I believe we will be able to make even more progress.  

AB 254 was recommended for passage by a unanimous vote of 7-0 and is now eligible to be considered by the full Assembly.