Strong Milwaukee Communities
Housing Security
On any day in 2023, 4,775 Wisconsinites were in emergency shelters and 301 were unsheltered. In the 2019-2020 school year, 13,308 public school students lacked stable housing. Wisconsin has 183,834 extremely low-income households, but only 69,000 affordable units available to them.
Equity in Criminal Justice
Wisconsin imprisons Black adults at the highest rate in the nation, with 1 in 36 behind bars. Black residents make up 6 percent of the state population but 42% of the prison population, twelve times the rate of white residents. A 2020 court study found Black & Native men were 28% & 34% more likely to be sentenced to prison than white men.
Personal Safety
In 2020, “Milwaukee police confiscated more than 3,000 guns last year during traffic stops and domestic dispute calls--an 18% increase from 2019." -LA Times
2022 was in the worst year for gun violence in decades for Milwaukee, surpassing even the high levels last year. There were 214 homicides in Milwaukee, a more than doubling the number from 2019. 89% of these homicides were shootings. So far, 2023 has seen a trend downward in gun violence - but there is still a long way to go. As of June 2023, homicides are down 28%, and nonfatal shootings are down 4%.
Legislation
I have reintroduced the bipartisan Safe Harbor Act, which aligns Wisconsin law with federal provisions, by prohibiting the prosecution of children under 18 for acts of prostitution, currently a Class A misdemeanor. This significant legislation perceives children involved in commercial sex acts as victims of sexual exploitation and child abuse rather than criminals, without legalizing prostitution. It serves to assure these children that they are not culpable for the dreadful acts imposed upon them by traffickers.
Universal Background Checks
Amidst rising gun violence in Milwaukee, Democrats have reintroduced legislation for Universal Background Checks. These measures aim to address lax laws and loopholes contributing to widespread firearms availability, thereby endangering our community. The proposed legislation mandates background checks for all firearm purchasers and only permits firearm transfer via federally licensed dealers, with few exceptions. Through this legislation, we hope to decrease gun violence and ensure the safety of our families and community.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Recognizing that dangerous warning signs were present in 56% of mass shootings and numerous suicide cases, Wisconsin Democrats have reintroduced legislation to implement an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). This bill permits family members or law enforcement officers to petition for a temporary firearm prohibition if they believe a person poses a risk to themselves or others. Drawing parallels to the existing temporary restraining order (TRO) and domestic abuse injunction processes, the proposed law seeks to proactively prevent harm while maintaining due process. It provides severe punishments for false claims and reaffirms commitment to upholding Second Amendment rights, positioning ERPO as a tool for law enforcement and families to save lives.
Cracking Down on Ghost Guns
Ghost guns are firearms that can be assembled at home using kits or 3D-printed parts. These weapons do not have serial numbers and are not subject to background checks, making them virtually untraceable. That is what makes them so dangerous. Law enforcement cannot track them, and people who are prohibited from owning guns can get their hands on them without ever going through a background check. This legislation would ban the sale and possession of ghost guns in Wisconsin. No one should be able to sidestep our gun laws just by ordering parts online. Our communities, our schools, and our children deserve better than weapons that exist outside the law. This bill is about keeping guns out of the wrong hands and giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our streets safe.
2025–2027 Budget Policies & Their Outcomes
Gun Violence Prevention Grants
The Governor proposed investing $10 million in violence prevention grants to support community organizations and initiatives working to reduce shootings and homicides, particularly in Milwaukee. These grants would help fund evidence-based strategies like community violence interruption, youth outreach, and trauma recovery services.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Wisconsin has over 150,000 lead service lines, many concentrated in Milwaukee. The Governor proposed $200 million to replace lead pipes, along with statutory changes allowing utilities to provide 100 percent grant funding for replacements. The proposal would have protected children from toxic lead exposure and accelerated remediation in high-risk communities.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.
Public Defender Staffing
The Governor proposed 52.5 new positions in the State Public Defender’s Office, including 6.5 appellate attorneys and 46 support staff. This investment would have reduced case delays and improved access to legal representation for low-income defendants, including many Milwaukee residents.
Outcome: Reduced to only 12.5 positions and $1.8 million of the proposed $7.6 million increase.
Community Reentry Programs
Funding was proposed to support reentry programs that assist formerly incarcerated individuals in securing housing, employment, and counseling services. These programs are key to reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for returning residents in Milwaukee and across the state.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.
Medical Marijuana Legalization and Expungement Reform
The Governor proposed legalizing medical marijuana and creating a process for expungement of certain past marijuana offenses. These provisions aimed to reduce incarceration for non-violent drug offenses and address long-standing racial disparities in the justice system.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.
Legal Aid Expansion
To improve access to civil legal services in underserved communities, the Governor proposed increasing legal aid funding from $500,000 to $4.5 million per year. Expanded support would have helped more Milwaukee residents navigate issues like eviction, family law, and consumer fraud.
Outcome: Included in full.
Jobs for America's Graduates
This program supports high school students at risk of dropping out by pairing them with mentors and employment pathways. The Governor proposed doubling funding to $2 million per year to reach more students in Milwaukee and other urban areas.
Outcome: Included in full.
State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Expansion
The Governor proposed increasing the total cap for state low-income housing tax credits from $42 million to $100 million to stimulate more affordable housing development. These credits would have supported new housing units in Milwaukee and helped reduce rent burdens for working families.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.
WHEDA Capital Reserve Fund Expansion
A proposal to raise WHEDA’s bonding cap from $1 billion to $1.3 billion would have allowed more financing for affordable housing construction in high-need areas like Milwaukee. This expansion was needed to meet 2025 housing demand.
Outcome: Not included in the GOP budget proposal passed into law.