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State Senator Van Wanggaard's eNewsletter 2015
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Making it Right for Victims of Wrongful Conviction

 

(Click on the photo above to watch the press conference)
 
Yesterday, my colleagues and I held a press conference to unveil our new bill to fairly compensate victims of wrongful conviction. In Wisconsin, our criminal justice system is among the best in the world. However, there is no such thing as 100% accuracy, and errors happen even in the best systems. Unfortunately, in the world of criminal justice, one error can mean denying an innocent victim years of their life. 

Under current law, an individual who is exonerated may seek a claim of up to $5,000 for each year they are wrongfully convicted up to $25,000 total. This is the lowest rate of the 30 states that have wrongful conviction compensation statutes.

Today, I introduced legislation that would increase compensation to $50,000 for every year of a wrongful incarceration up to a maximum of $1,000,000. The bill would also give victims access to transitional services to help them get back to being productive members of society. To ensure taxpayers are protected, we also built in a requirement that money be paid back to the state if a person who has received compensation for being wrongfully convicted receives a judgement from a third party bad actor.

This bill is about integrity. Victims are victims. Thank God we hardly ever get it wrong, but when we do, we have to make it right. The important thing is that when mistakes happen, we take responsibility and do what is right for victims. I am proud to bring this bill forward and I hope it will pass through the legislature quickly.
 

 A Day in the Life...

 

 
If you ever wonder what my days in Madison are like, here's an example from yesterday:

Leave home at 6:45am. Stop and pick up kringles for the office. 9:00am - Call office to discuss with staff the constituent calls I made the night before and potential next steps. 9:15am - Arrive at Capitol. 9:20am - Drop off kringles, review day’s schedule with Michelle, sign staff’s time sheets. 9:25am - Update computer password. 9:30am - Meet with Governor Walker about upcoming bills. 9:55am – Leave Governor Walker’s office go to Rep. Dale Kooyenga’s office to prepare for 10:15am press conference. 10:15-10:45am - Press conference on wrongful conviction compensation. 11:00am – Testify on AB 169 – equine therapy legislation. 11:30am - Begin to review office calls, constituent letters, etc. 11:35am - Drop-in visit about fallen officer bill. 11:40am - Miss call from another Senator. 11:45am - Drop-in from person interested Exotic Pets bill. 11:55am – Brief meeting with staff regarding upcoming legislation, and constituent contacts while eating lunch. 12:00pm – Pre-committee meeting with Legislative Council. 12:30pm – Chair Judiciary Committee Meeting. 1:55pm – Realize committee will go late, send staff to 2:00pm meeting with Rep. Kooyenga. 3:00pm – Blood sugar dropping, take emergency kringle break. 4:15pm Committee adjourns. 4:25pm - Return to office, compliment Val on work on staffing committee. 4:26pm - Begin to return text messages received during hearing. 4:30 pm - Make some tea to relax. Discuss sales taxation with Scott; 4:40pm - Follow up meeting about hearing with Senator Lasee staff. 4:45pm – Staff meeting. 4:55pm – Review newsletter with Colleen. 5:00pm - Go over future legislative proposals with Scott and continue review of constituent letters and contacts. 5:35- Text Mary Jo to tell her I am heading home. 5:40-Finish up paperwork in the office. 6:00pm - Finally begin the journey home to see my beautiful wife. I love my job.
 

 Lakeview Pharmacy Free Kids Vitamin Program

 

 
Lakeview Pharmacy recently shared information with my office about their new free kids vitamin Program. Check out the information below and click here for more information.
 
Join Your Neighborhood Kids Club!
Become a Smarter, Stronger, Super You with Lakeview Pharmacy’s FREE Kids Vitamin Program. 
 
About the Program:
  • For children age 4-12 years old
  • Parent/Guardian must pick up vitamins (will not be handing out to children)
  • Parent/Guardian can pick up a 30 day supply of vitamins for each of their children every month
  • This is not a limited time program, this will be ongoing just like our Free Antibiotics program.  This is just another way for Lakeview Pharmacy to give back to our community.  There will not be a cost to the parents for the vitamins.
Parents can stop in the pharmacy any time during our regular hours and sign up their children. The goal is to reach as many families within our community as possible. 
Me and my pal, Chance the Cheetah, from Giese Elementary - Happy 50th Anniversary Giese!
 
 
Connect with Van:
www.SenatorWanggaard.com

608.266.1832

State Senator Van
Wanggaard
21st Senate District 
Wisconsin State Capitol 
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, Wisconsin 53707
 
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Contact Our Office

 

Office: 122 South, Wisconsin State Capitol
Phone: 608-266-1832; Toll-free: 866-615-7510
E-mail: Sen.Wanggaard@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882