Criminal Justice & Public Safety

As chair of the State Assembly Corrections Committee in his early years Scott Walker toed the early 1990’s GOP party line on crime — supporting mandatory minimum sentencing laws and building more prisons.

That he parlayed his tough on crime rhetoric into campaign contributions from the special interests that built prisons and housed the overflow of Wisconsin inmates in out of state facilities raises the ever present question: were his actions motivated by a concern, however misguided, for the public good or was he using his position at the time to advance himself?

His positions on the issue of concealed carry of firearms provides clues. Representing solidly Republican suburban ring communities around the City of Milwaukee, Walker supported legislation to allow the carrying of hidden weapons. But when running for Milwaukee County Executive, Walker voted against concealed carry legislation. As he again eyes higher office and seeks to woo right-wing Republicans by touting his conservative bona fides Walker forgets his past vote against a concealed carry bill and touts his efforts to roll back gun safety laws in Wisconsin.

Content
NRA Has Spent $4.33 for Every K-12 Student in Wisconsin to Buy Scott Walker No Group Has Been a Bigger Obstacle to Reform Than the NRA and No Politician Has Gotten More of Their Money Than Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/16/2018]
Scott Walker’s Appalling 25-Year Record on Corrections and Prison Policy Gov. Scott Walker Has Spent 25 Years Charting a Dangerous, Racist Course on Corrections Policy in the State of Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/15/2018]
NRA Campaign Ad Mispronounces Name of Walker Opponent Evers The liberal group One Wisconsin Now obtained a copy of the ad Friday. It says the buy is $740,000 in Green Bay, Wausau and La Crosse. [Associated Press, 10/12/2018]
Scott Walker is the NRA’s $4 Million Man Scott Walker’s gun lobby pals are hitting the airwaves with a nearly $740,000 ad buy, pushing their support for his campaigns to $4.25 million since 2010. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/11/2018]
‘The Only Thing Scott Walker Cares About Keeping Safe is His Own Job’ The former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) has released a book detailing his experiences in the administration of Gov. Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/10/2018]
State Debate: Scott Walker’s refusal to visit prisons stirs up bloggers One Wisconsin Now’s Scot Ross maintains that Walker’s refusal to visit prisons is a shirking of his responsibilities as governor. He adds that Walker took the same position and refused to visit northern Wisconsin juvenile detention centers, which became an embarrassment to the state. [Capital Times, 08/09/2018]
Corrections election? Walker jumps on Dem plans to cut prison population Scot Ross with the liberal activist group One Wisconsin Now notes Walker is lagging in polls. “He’s blowing that dog whistle loud and clear, and he’s trying to get every racist across the state to hear him.” [Wisconsin Radio Network, 08/09/2018]
Scott Walker’s Absolutely Awful Record on Corrections Scott Walker has an absolutely awful record on Corrections in the state and Mike Browne joins Bryan on 414Wisconsin to make sure we know the correct record. [WRRD-AM, 08/08/2018]
Scott Walker Accidentally Reveals the Truth With Press Conference on Public Safety Gov. Scott Walker declared there was “no value” in him, as chief executive of the state, visiting a correctional institution. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/08/2018]
Scott Walker: ‘No value’ to visiting state prisons Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday he has yet to visit a prison in Wisconsin and he doesn’t plan to if he’s re-elected because “there’s no value” in him doing so. He made the comments during a news conference to criticize Democratic gubernatorial candidates who say they want to reduce the state’s prison population by releasing […] [La Crosse Tribune, 08/08/2018]
Scott Walker Cannot Defend His Racist Corrections Disaster ‘On Corrections, Scott Walker Always Makes the Wrong Decision and Always for the Wrong Reason’ [One Wisconsin Now, 08/07/2018]
Walker: ‘There’s No Value’ To Visiting Wisconsin Prisons Gov. Scott Walker said he’s yet to visit a prison in Wisconsin and he doesn’t plan to if he’s re-elected … Even before Walker spoke to reporters, liberal group One Wisconsin Now had already released a statement condemning Walker for “doing nothing” to address problems at the juvenile prisons. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 08/07/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker says he sees ‘no value’ in visiting state prisons as he hits Democrats’ promises to slash the number of inmates Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday he sees “no value” in visiting the Wisconsin prisons that he runs and that cost taxpayers more than $1 billion a year. He made the comment at a news conference where he took a swipe at Democrats who have proposed cutting the prison population in half. Walker said such a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/07/2018]
State Debate: Scott Walker’s photo with Russian spy has the bloggers talking The liberal advocate One Wisconsin Now contends that it’s been Walker’s 25-year relationship with the National Rifle Association that opened the doors to the Russian accused of spying to get personal access to Walker when he was running for president. OWN calculated that the NRA has funneled $3.5 million into Walker’s campaign accounts during those […] [Capital Times, 07/20/2018]
The Rest of the Picture: $3.5 Million in NRA Support Paved the Way for Accused Spy to Get Personal Access to Scott Walker The Rest of the Picture: $3.5 Million in NRA Support Paved the Way for Accused Spy to Get Personal Access to Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/18/2018]
Devil’s Advocates Radio: July 18, 2018 Scot Ross joins the Devils to identify just how far back Scott Walker started taking sweet sweet NRA money. [WRRD-AM, 07/18/2018]
Wisconsin’s prisons are a mess, which Governor Walker has made worse. But we can fix this. In Wisconsin, we spend more taxpayer money to lock people up than we do to educate them at universities. That should be a problem worth addressing for any politician. But so far, only the Democratic candidates for governor are talking about it. … How did we get to the point where our state’s prisons are […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/06/2018]
Guards at 6 Wisconsin prisons don’t have body cameras despite order from Scott Walker, lawmakers State prison officials haven’t yet put body cameras on correctional officers in six Wisconsin prisons, despite receiving an order last year to do so. Gov. Scott Walker and lawmakers passed a state budget in September that included $591,000 in new funds for the Department of Corrections to purchase about 200 body cameras to give to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/03/2018]
Walker Appoints New Corrections Secretary Gov. Scott Walker appointed a new Department of Corrections secretary on Wednesday, the agency’s third leader in less than three years as it struggles to recover from allegations of abuse at Wisconsin’s youth prison… “Cathy Jess is an experienced leader with a strong background, and we welcome her to this new role,” Walker said in […] [Associated Press, 05/23/2018]
Prison workers were promoted after teen inmate suicide attempt that is costing nearly $19 million Mistake after mistake led to a 16-year-old inmate suffering severe brain damage when guards neglected her request for help and she hanged herself in her cell. The 2015 episode is costing Wisconsin nearly $19 million, but employee promotions – not discipline – followed it…Gov. Scott Walker’s administration began to shift its attitude toward the matter […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/27/2018]
Walker Signs Vukmir Crime Legislation Gov. Scott Walker has signed a package of legislation cracking down on youth offenders and repeat criminals. The bills eliminate the three-year maximum sentence for youthful offenders in juvenile correctional facilities and create a mandatory five-year prison sentence for repeat offenders convicted of a wide range of crimes, including felony murder and carjacking. The measures […] [Associated Press, 04/16/2018]
Scott Walker will not appoint interim Milwaukee County sheriff to replace David Clarke Gov. Scott Walker will not appoint an interim Milwaukee County sheriff to complete the term of former Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. Six months after naming five finalists for the job, Walker’s decision announced Wednesday will allow Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt to continue serving through the end of Clarke’s term on Jan. 7, 2019. Schmidt […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/11/2018]
Scott Walker signs bill to crack down on the straw purchases of guns Gov. Scott Walker signed bills Wednesday to crack down on the straw purchasing of guns, give terminally ill patients the ability to try experimental medication and eliminate an air-quality monitoring station. One measure, Senate Bill 408, will make it a felony to buy a gun with the intention of passing it on to someone who […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/28/2018]
Gov. Walker to sign $100M school safety plan into law Monday in Kaukauna Gov. Scott Walker signed a $100 million school safety measure Monday that allows schools to apply for grants to make their buildings more secure following recent school shootings. State lawmakers passed the measure last week…Some have criticized the package for not addressing restrictions on gun sales in Wisconsin. Walker equated the plan to increased airport […] [WPR, 03/26/2018]
The NRA’s $3.5 Million Man Scott Walker Delivering for the Gun Lobby, Again Legislators supporting this sham are providing aid and comfort to the NRA and Scott Walker, who wants nothing more than for this issue to go away. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/20/2018]
Walker calls special session on school safety The liberal group One Wisconsin Now accused Walker of trying to hand the school safety checkbook to a "fellow NRA lackey," Brad Schimel. [Lakeland Times, 03/20/2018]
No gun control or arming teachers in Scott Walker’s $100M school safety plan Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday called on lawmakers to take up a $100 million package aimed at providing more security in school buildings across Wisconsin. But the plan doesn’t call for imposing stricter controls on gun ownership as Democrats have called for, or for arming teachers as some Republicans have said could be a solution […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/16/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Proposes Handing School Safety Checkbook to Fellow NRA Lackey Brad Schimel Gov. Scott Walker’s political stunt special session plan proposes giving Attorney General Brad Schimel authority over funding for school safety plans. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/15/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker shifts position in reaction to school shootings “To know where Governor Walker will end up, you need to follow the money and look at what he’s done, not what he’s saying today,” said Scot Ross.. [Associated Press, 03/02/2018]
Walker opposes arming teachers, looking at other ideas Gov. Scott Walker came out Wednesday against putting guns in the hands of teachers to defend against school shooters, but he’s also talking with lawmakers about passing a comprehensive school safety agenda this year. [Chicago Tribune, 02/28/2018]
Governors divided on path forward on school safety As the nation’s governors gathered in Washington this weekend for their annual meeting, their conversations on the sidelines and even during a high profile meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday showed that they are as deeply conflicted as federal lawmakers on what to do about gun violence and safety in schools… Still, some governors […] [ABC News, 02/26/2018]
NRA Campaign Cash and Endorsements Put Wisconsin on Lockdown Millions of dollars in campaign spending and political endorsements by the NRA have bought the pro-gun lobby access to top state Republicans. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/15/2018]
Lincoln Hills teen facility gets fourth leader in two years Gov. Scott Walker’s administration announced it was putting Jason Benzel, the deputy warden of Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution, in charge of Lincoln Hills School for Boys, which has been under a criminal investigation for three years… Benzel comes on board as the criminal investigation of Lincoln Hills heats up. Last month, federal prosecutors notified […] [Milwaukee Business Journal, 01/11/2018]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker takes Democrats’ ideas into 2018 election fight with them In 2011, Walker closed Ethan Allen School in Waukesha County and transferred its inmates to Lincoln Hills. He also cut state aid to schools to help close a budget shortfall and reduced teachers’ benefits to help schools absorb the cuts. Now, he’s reshaping the juvenile justice system and presiding over a budget that is delivering […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/05/2018]
Closing Lincoln Hills Does Not Absolve Gov. Scott Walker, Attorney General Brad Schimel of Responsibility For Failures Scott Walker and Brad Schimel ignored and then repeatedly failed to act on the mounting crisis at Lincoln Hills. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/04/2018]
Walker Calls for Juvenile Prison Reorganization Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to move juvenile inmates out of a facility under federal investigation wouldn’t be implemented until after voters decide whether to re-elect him this fall. Walker announced the $80 million on Thursday. It calls for changing the Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake prisons into medium-security adult prisons. The state would also open five […] [Associated Press, 01/04/2018]
Scott Walker takes baby steps toward driverless car regulation Wisconsin has joined a club of 14 other states taking action on driverless cars — though unlike some of its peers, it’s taking the slow road toward regulating the technology. Gov. Scott Walker issued an executive order on Thursday creating a steering committee on autonomous vehicles and “connected vehicles,” cars that can communicate with wired […] [Capital Times, 05/20/2017]
Scott Walker seeks ‘steering committee’ to study driverless cars Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday sought to advance the testing and operation of driverless cars in Wisconsin by creating a — wait for it — steering committee to study the issue.The executive order creating the committee asks the group to advise the governor on next steps for studying the technology safely. “This is great news […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/18/2017]
Budget move would let Wisconsin sex offenders live closer to schools, day care centers Sexual predators would have to live in their home counties when they are released but could be placed near schools, parks and day care centers, under a plan adopted Tuesday by the Legislature’s budget committee.The legislator behind the plan said he wanted to crack down on judges placing violent sex offenders far from their home […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/16/2017]
Bill requiring Lincoln Hills guards to report signs of child abuse heads to Scott Walker Guards at the state’s youth prison would be required to report signs of child abuse under a bill Assembly lawmakers approved Wednesday — the first to pass the Legislature in response to a two-year investigation into potential child abuse at the Irma prison. The bill now heads to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk for his signature. […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/11/2017]
Illinois sheriff blasts Wisconsin for ‘shocking and disgraceful’ response to AWOL foster child Cook County (Ill.) Sheriff Thomas Dart blasted Wisconsin’s child welfare officials for what he called a “shocking and disgraceful” refusal to assist his department last week with a runaway Dane County foster child.In an angry letter to Gov. Scott Walker, the sheriff asks the governor to “initiate an investigation into this matter to ensure that […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/08/2017]
Scott Walker stands by David Clarke, even after 4 inmates died in Milwaukee jails in 6 months Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor, indicated on Wednesday that he will not take any action against Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, the Chicago Tribune reported. Walker said that while he has the authority to remove Clarke, he did not believe it was just job to do so. “I’m not in a position to say,” Walker […] [Salon, 04/27/2017]
Kids in Crisis \| Scott Walker to speak at Day of Action event Every day, Jade Rising, a single mom from Wisconsin Rapids, is relieved and grateful her child isn’t dead from a suicide attempt. Her fears and difficulties are similar to many parents across the state. Rising’s child, Sam Baum, isn’t alone struggling to cope with the challenges of everyday life — Wisconsin is facing a suicide […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 04/24/2017]
Gov. Walker visits Neenah High School under heavy security Tip continue to pour in as the nationwide manhunt for Joseph Jakubowski continues. The Wisconsin Lottery is now helping in the search, and political officials are taking steps to keep themselves and their constituents safe. … That alert came out as word spread from Governor Scott Walker’s office that he would be keeping his public […] [WBAY-TV, 04/13/2017]
No funding push to clear rape kit backlog Schimel didn’t ask lawmakers last year to fund rape kit testing as part of the Department of Justice’s two-year budget request and no proposal was included in Walker’s proposed state budget this year. The budget is now being reviewed by legislators before being sent back to Walker. USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin asked Walker and the Legislature’s […] [USA Today, 04/01/2017]
The Latest: Prison Chief Defends Walker’s Lack of Visits Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jon Litscher is defending Republican Gov. Scott Walker against criticism that he has yet to visit a prison. Walker hasn’t visited any prisons since he first took office in 2011. Democrats have been pushing him to visit the state’s troubled youth prison in Irma. [Associated Press, 03/28/2017]
Teacher kills self after student sex allegations Moore stressed the store did nothing illegal in selling the gun, but he pointed to a change in state law last year that made the events possible. The previous law required a 48-hour waiting period before a buyer would be able to pick up a gun. The new law, passed in June by the Republican-led […] [Daily Jefferson County Union, 03/22/2017]
Families, experts wary of Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to abolish Parole Commission Beverly Walker doubts that the governor’s plan to abolish the Wisconsin Parole Commission will add efficiency to a sluggish system, and she suspects it would make qualifying for parole even more difficult.Her husband, Baron Walker, has been imprisoned for nearly 22 years on a 60-year sentence for two armed bank robberies. Since 2011, he has […] [Wisconsin WatchDog, 03/05/2017]
Gov. Walker proposes cuts to parole agency The state’s parole system for roughly 3,000 long-time state inmates would drop from eight employees to just one, under Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal. As a lawmaker in the late 1990s, Walker championed the state’s truth in sentencing law to ensure tough sentences on convicted criminals. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/20/2017]
Walker administration reaches cash settlements with guards accused of using excessive force on juvenile inmates For the second and third times, Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has given cash settlements to guards who it determined had used excessive force on juvenile inmates, state records show. The payoffs — including one totaling $9,000 — were reached as the FBI continues a criminal investigation of Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2017]
Gov. Walker’s proposed elimination of Parole Commission creates furniture fiasco The Wisconsin Department of Corrections will try to resell $37,000 of new furniture ordered by the state Parole Commission just days before the agency was targeted for elimination. Corrections Department spokesman Tristan Cook first said Thursday that the furniture would be repurposed for use in the Corrections Department after the Parole Commission is eliminated. But […] [Associated Press, 02/17/2017]
Gov. Walker’s budget plan doesn’t address Lincoln Hills crisis Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would keep Wisconsin’s troubled youth prison open but doesn’t provide nearly enough funding to meet federal staffing requirements. It also orders no systemic changes despite an FBI investigation into alleged inmate abuse and two lawsuits challenging conditions at the remote facility. The budget the governor unveiled last week makes no mention […] [Associated Press, 02/11/2017]
Gov. Walker proposes more staff for Lincoln Hills amid calls for its closure Gov. Scott Walker is seeking more staff for the state’s troubled youth prison in his 2017-19 state budget proposal. Though Democrats and Milwaukee government officials have called for the closure of the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, Walker is instead proposing to hire eight new staff members to push […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/09/2017]
Gov. Walker’s administration reverses position on fire safety roll back Gov. Scott Walker’s administration abruptly backed off Wednesday on plans to roll back a requirement for fire sprinklers, but the state might not adopt other safety standards that firefighters say would save lives. In recent weeks, Walker’s Department of Safety and Professional Services has quietly advanced plans to end the requirement that fire sprinklers be […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/08/2017]
Critics say Scott Walker’s plan to fight opiate abuse in Wisconsin falls short The liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now also criticized Walker's opposition to the Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act. [Capital Times, 01/06/2017]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on GOP Addiction to Big Pharma Money Scott Walker spent the 1990s criminalizing addiction and the 2000s preventing people from getting the health care they needed to treat their addiction. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/05/2017]
Walker talks public safety with Milwaukee authorities Gov. Scott Walker is meeting with Milwaukee authorities to discuss public safety issues. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor met with Milwaukee aldermen and the Milwaukee police and firefighter union presidents in the state Capitol on Friday. Milwaukee Police spokesman Tim Gauerke said police Chief Ed Flynn also attended. A neighborhood on the city’s […] [Channel 3000, 08/19/2016]
Milwaukee Unrest Continues Through 2nd Night, One Person Reported Shot Milwaukee police say they are battling continued unrest early Monday morning, making multiple arrests and rushing one shooting victim and at least one officer to the hospital in the second night of violence following a fatal police shooting. The skirmishes began on Saturday after a Milwaukee officer fatally shot a 23-year-old man, whom officials say […] [ABC News, 08/15/2016]
More dismay at Lincoln Hills \| Former Lincoln Hills psychologist belittled naked, mentally ill girl The former top psychologist at the state’s troubled juvenile prison faced no discipline last year after mocking the breasts of a teenage girl with mental illness who had run down a hallway naked, records show. Vincent Ramos used graphic and crass language to ridicule the size and appearance of the girl’s breasts, according to the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/09/2016]
John Doe Investigation Into Lincoln Hills Abuse Allegations Closed A state John Doe investigation into a troubled juvenile prison in northern Wisconsin has been closed under a law signed last year by Gov. Scott Walker that put time limits on such cases… That coincides with the six-month time limit imposed by a new law that reduced the power of John Doe investigations in Wisconsin. […] [WPR, 04/19/2016]
Feds looking at whether civil rights were violated at Lincoln Hills In February, Gov. Scott Walker’s office released records that showed Lincoln Hills staff in 2012 failed to take an inmate who was sexually assaulted to an emergency room until after a prison basketball game — three hours after the assault took place. [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/02/2016]
Walker signs sex offender placement bill Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that creates uniform restrictions on where violent sex offenders can live.Municipalities currently use local ordinances to create zones where sex offenders can’t live.The bill creates statewide regulations barring violent sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of any school, day care, youth center, church or public park. Sex […] [Associated Press, 02/29/2016]
Sex assault allegation mishandled at Lincoln Hills Despite what a former state employee called a strong case, officials in 2013 abandoned pursuing charges against a juvenile inmate accused of sexually assaulting his roommate at a secure Northwoods facility now at the center of an investigation into sexual assault, prisoner abuse, child neglect and other crimes.”It blew me away that no one was […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/23/2016]
Department of Corrections Secretary to resign as new information surfaces on Lincoln Hills A staffer at a troubled Northwoods youth prison has been put on paid leave pending an investigation of the medical treatment of a juvenile who was taken to a hospital this month. The situation comes amid a criminal probe of Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, which share a campus […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/22/2016]
Walker to sign bill increasing penalties for repeat drunk driving Tougher penalties for repeat drunken drivers, once a tough sell to Wisconsin lawmakers, have won widespread backing in the state Capitol in recent weeks. But with stronger penalties now a step from becoming law, legislators have not addressed how they’ll pay for more prison time for repeat offenders — a figure that could top $100 […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/18/2016]
Lincoln Hills investigation results in resignation of Walker’s Secretary of Department of Corrections Department of Corrections secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid a wide-ranging investigation of the state’s youth prison, now led by the FBI. The disclosure Friday of Wall’s resignation came hours after federal officials confirmed that the FBI is leading the investigation of alleged abuses at the state’s only youth prison, Lincoln Hills School for Boys […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/13/2016]
Walker was notified in 2012 of Lincoln Hills crisis A Racine County judge warned Gov. Scott Walker’s office in 2012 of severe safety issues at the state’s youth prison, and later the county stopped sending its juvenile offenders to the Irma facility that is now the subject of a criminal investigation. The letter, sent to Walker in February 2012, appears at odds with Walker’s […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/12/2016]
Walker denies prior knowledge of Lincoln Hill youth prison abuses as Corrections Secretary resigns amid investigation Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid an investigation into abuse allegations at the state’s youth prison, the governor’s office said Friday as news emerged that the FBI had taken over the inquiry. Gov. Scott Walker’s staff said Wall submitted his letter of resignation on Feb. 5. He will be replaced by […] [Associated Press, 02/12/2016]
Walker was notified of Lincoln Hills concerns in 2012 Four years before abuse allegations put a state prison for youth in headlines, the institution botched its response to a sexual assault of an inmate so badly that an entire county stopped sending offenders there. Their confidence shaken, Racine County officials pulled all their youth offenders from the state-run Lincoln Hills School for Boys in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/11/2016]
Walker signs bill legalizing concealed carry of knives at event sponsored by NRA affiliated group Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill legalizing concealed switchblades and knives. The governor signed the measure Saturday at the annual National Rifle Association and Wisconsin FORCE convention in Weston. Wisconsin FORCE, or Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs and Educators, is an NRA-chartered association that advocates for the right to bear arms. [Chicago Tribune, 02/08/2016]
Flynn ties homicide rise to ease of getting guns Mayor Tom Barrett and Flynn say they will continue calling for tougher penalties when people are caught carrying guns in violation of the law. The two counted a victory late last year when Gov. Scott Walker signed a law boosting minimum prison time for felons possessing guns.Flynn and Barrett have continued to single out Wisconsin’s […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/31/2016]
Walker climbs over corpses of mass shooting victims to grab a little attention “I think Wisconsin is probably one of a select few states that has joined every single one of these lawsuits against the Obama administration,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin Gazette, 01/09/2016]
Local cops won’t carry anti-overdose drug A drug that can stop a heroin overdose is becoming more available to the public, but police in Portage County won’t be carrying it anytime soon. The drug, known as naloxone, was the focus of a recent change to state law. The legislation, which Gov. Scott Walker signed Dec. 8, allows pharmacies to distribute the […] [Wausau Daily Herald, 12/16/2015]
Lincoln Hills youth had toes amputated after run-in with staff In recent days, Lincoln Hills inmates have fought with each other multiple times, refused to go into their rooms – at least once en masse – and in one case threw urine on a staff member, said Towne, who has three family members who work at the school. Those incidents erupted in the days after […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/16/2015]
2 DAs back away from bid to revive probe into Walker campaign Two of the five district attorneys involved in an investigation of Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and conservative groups are walking away from an attempt to revive the probe that the state Supreme Court terminated this summer. In a letter and court filing last week, Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg wrote he would not seek […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/15/2015]
Lawmaker asked Corrections officials in March about problems at youth prison Earlier this week Gov. Scott Walker said he didn’t think there was a connection between staffing issues and the Lincoln Hills allegations. “I think their concerns were not specific to that,” Walker said. “But certainly we’ll have to wait until we see everything at the end.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/11/2015]
Scott Walker: DOC reviewing safety at all prisons in wake of criminal investigation at youth prison Gov. Scott Walker said Friday his administration is reviewing safety measures and policies at all state prisons as the Department of Justice investigates alleged abuse of inmates at a juvenile prison in Lincoln County. Also on Friday, the Department of Corrections announced it plans to purchase body cameras for staff at the Lincoln Hills boys […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/11/2015]
Abuse, misconduct, intimidation at center of sweeping investigation of Wisconsin juvenile prison Under a law Gov. Scott Walker signed Oct. 23, John Doe inquiries cannot be used to investigate allegations of misconduct in public office. The John Doe request in this case was filed a day before that law was signed. Previously, no parties involved in a John Doe could acknowledge even the existence of such an […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/10/2015]
Admins removed amid DOJ investigation into ‘mistreatment of youth’ at state juvenile facility The facility, which is about 30 miles north of Wausau, is the state’s youth prison. Copper Lake houses female offenders — 36 as of Friday — while 228 male inmates were at Lincoln Hills, according to Corrections data. Gov. Scott Walker told reporters Monday that DOC supervisors did not deliberately suppress assault records at the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/08/2015]
Agents continue assault probe at juvenile offender school Speaking to reporters in Madison on Monday, Gov. Scott Walker said Wall and top agency officials had brought concerns to the Department of Justice and Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger and that Walker didn’t believe they had tried to cover them up. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/08/2015]
Agents raid school for juvenile offenders amid secret probe Speaking to reporters in Madison, Gov. Scott Walker said Wall and top agency officials had brought concerns to the Department of Justice and Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger and had not tried to cover them up. The governor said he had been briefed on the probe and met with Attorney General Brad Schimel last week […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/07/2015]
In Milwaukee, evidence is weak for the ‘Ferguson effect Instead, Flynn pointed to two more likely culprits: State budget cuts that reduced mental health services and other social programs, and a 2011 law that dramatically weakened the power of police to arrest people with guns. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is responsible for both developments. Flynn said the new gun law, which Walker said […] [Washington Post, 12/05/2015]
Walker Holds Presser While America Endures 2015’s 355th Mass Shooting This press conference was Scott Walker at his political worst: exploiting fears to try and win elections, while ignoring a real public safety threat. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/02/2015]
Scott Walker Loosens Gun Restrictions in Wisconsin Ahead of Expected Presidential Bid It seems incredibly insensitive and just a wrong step in terms of policy, given what happened in South Carolina and given the issues we have with gun violence across the state and specifically in Milwaukee. [VICE News, 06/25/2015]
Days before Tony Robinson shooting, Wisconsin DOJ requested more funds to investigate officer-involved deaths Just a few days before an unarmed, 19-year-old black man was shot and killed by a Madison police officer, Wisconsin’s attorney general had asked lawmakers to fund more positions to investigate officer-involved deaths…Gov. Scott Walker last April signed into law a bill requiring outside agencies to investigate officer-involved shootings. The legislation was championed by Reps. […] [Capital Times, 03/10/2015]
Attorney general wants positions for officer-involved deaths Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel wants the Legislature’s budget committee to give the state Justice Department more positions in the state budget to deal with officer-involved death investigations. Lawmakers signed a bill last year that requires outside agencies to lead investigations of officer-involved deaths. Attorney General Brad Schimel told the Joint Finance Committee on Monday […] [WMTV-TV, 03/02/2015]
NRA to Gov. Walker: ‘Thanks a Million’ MADISON, Wis. — The National Rifle Association is trying to revive the flailing campaign of Gov. Scott Walker by placing a $1 million television buy for the next month in several markets around Wisconsin. The $1 million buy covers markets in La Crosse, Green Bay and Wausau. “Gov. Walker has bent over backwards to serve […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/16/2014]
Judge Says Man With Domestic Violence Record Can Carry Concealed Weapon Under Walker’s Law Van Bober’s attorney Mark Maciolek said the judge gave the order because there was no transcript of the original plea; therefore, it wasn’t clear whether the conviction triggered the federal gun ban for anyone with a domestic violence conviction. “The judge concluded was that there was no way to tell if my client had admitted […] [Wisconsin Public Radio, 07/15/2014]
Walker championed “truth in sentencing” law while in the Legislature Neighboring Minnesota has a similar crime rate to Wisconsin and similar demographics, but thanks in part to Walker’s harsh sentencing law, Wisconsin has two-and-a-half times as many people in prison. Minnesota has more people on parole or in community-based corrections, and because those alternative approaches cost twenty times less than incarceration, Minnesota spends significantly less […] [Truth-out, 06/23/2014]
United Sportsmen seeks exemption from penalty for faulty tax filings Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said United Sportsmen’s sole source of funding appeared to be a conservative political group and that its main spending went to a GOP campaign consultant. “It is clear, based on their track record, that had United Sportsmen gotten state funding as envisioned by Governor Walker […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/17/2014]
Scott Suder steps away from job in Scott Walker’s administration Just days before receiving the grant, the lobbyist for United Sportsmen offered free fishing excursions to Suder, the Journal Sentinel reported Monday. The day the trip began, Suder joined 17 other Republicans in urging a committee to give the grant to United Sportsmen. The liberal group One Wisconsin Now filed an ethics complaint with the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/03/2013]
Suder Shuffles Off the State and On To Special Interests’ Payroll Mere days before he was slated to start a $94,000 a year job in the Walker administration, it was announced today that former Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder has taken a different job as a special interest lobbyist. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/03/2013]
United Sportsmen Official Offered Free Two-Day Fishing Excursion to Author of Sweetheart Deal MADISON, Wis. — The author of a sweetheart deal worth potentially millions of dollars for a politically-connected organization was offered a free, two-day Lake Michigan fishing excursion by the lobbyist and Executive Director for the group, according to a story in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. One Wisconsin Now has filed a formal complaint with the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/29/2013]
Walker Claims Ignorance On Sweetheart Deal for Group That Endorsed Him MADISON, Wis. — As part of his 2013-15 state budget Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a provision directing a $500,000 taxpayer funded grant to United Sportsmen of Wisconsin, a group that endorsed him in his 2012 recall election. According to news reports, mega-GOP and right-wing cause funder Terry Kohler personally lobbied legislative leaders on the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/18/2013]
Top GOP Legislator on Gov. Walker’s Sleazy United Sportsmen Deal: ‘The Process Has Worked’ MADISON, Wis. — Almost daily new revelations have raised serious questions about the propriety and legality of Gov. Walker and Republican legislators inclusion of a sweetheart deal in the state budget that would have given $500,000 of taxpayer money to a group that endorsed Walker in his recall election. In the face of mounting questions and […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/17/2013]
New Developments In United Sportsmen Scandal Greet Gov. Walker Upon Return to Wisconsin From Latest Political Junket One Wisconsin Now called on Walker to answer questions about the sweetheart deal to send state tax dollars to a partisan political front group that endorsed him in his recall election. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/16/2013]
Scandal Surrounding Gov. Walker’s Attempt to Reward Political Allies Deepens Breaking news reports today reveal that the group in question may in fact be a for-profit corporation that received at least $235,000 in income in 2011, courtesy of the right-wing Citizens for a Strong America. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/09/2013]
Gov. Walker on Line One: Wisconsin Gov. Phones Home From Political Junket in Washington State to Cancel Sleazy Deal MADISON, Wis. — A $500,000 taxpayer funded state grant to United Sportsmen of Wisconsin has generated increasing controversy over the last several weeks as serious questions were raised about how the grant process was rigged to make sure it went to a politically connected GOP front group and the trustworthiness of the organization. One Wisconsin Now […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/05/2013]
Could State Grant to GOP ‘Outdoor’ Group Be Used to Help Boost Republican Political Campaigns? Could a state grant slipped into the budget by the former Assembly Majority Leader, signed into law by Gov. Walker and rushed through the approval process by the Walker administration be used to help support partisan political activity? [One Wisconsin Now, 09/04/2013]
Questions for Gov. Walker and Assembly Majority Leader Mount as Committee Approves Grant for Politically Connected Special Interest Group Despite mounting questions and growing evidence that top Republican leaders went to great lengths to ensure a taxpayer funded grant went to a politically connected special interest group, the grant was approved on Thursday. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/29/2013]
In Response to Mass Shooting, Walker Said Arming School Officials Should Be ‘Part of the Discussion,’ Along with Addressing Mental Health Needs In the wake of the country’s latest mass shooting, Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that more should be done to help mentally troubled individuals and that arming school officials should be “part of the discussion.” Walker called for a summit involving top mental health professionals from around the state early next year…And Walker said that […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/20/2012]
Sunday Breakfast with OWN: The Progressive Check on Scott Walker’s Imbalance Unchecked GOP power in state government over the last 18 months has stripped workers of rights, endangered free and fair elections and taken our public resources and given it to the wealthy and corporations. A progressive Senate majority that can block more GOP abuses of power is, in the paraphrased words of our Vice President, […] [Meena Zia, 07/26/2012]
Newspapers across WI pan Scott Walker’s special jobs session Here are some clips from various newspapers criticizing Scott Walker and the GOP majority for refusing to do anything of substance about Wisconsin’s rising unemployment during their so-called special jobs session: From the Sheboygan Press: [T]he biggest news out of the session was the passage of the “castle” bill that gives presumed immunity to people who […] [Cody Oliphant, 11/07/2011]
Scott Walker’s Raise in Compensation is Undeserved Gov. Scott Walker’s track record of pandering to corporate elites, instead of the wishes of Wisconsinites shows the hypocrisy in accepting a raise. [Brandon Weathersby, 10/30/2011]
GOP hypocrisy, caving to gun manufacturing lobby in current concealed carry dust-up It started with JB Van Hollen’s epic cave in the face of pressure from the gun manufacturing lobby attacking plan to require actual training in order to get a concealed carry permit. But always the wily veterans, Scott and Jeff Fitzgerald took the hypocrisy to a new level this week, telling reporters that not […] [Scot Ross, 10/10/2011]
Crime and Courts: Interesting twist — GOP issued warning of fanatics with weapons. Scot Ross, the director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, couldn’t pass up a comment on the irony. He sent me Courtney’s letter, which is attached to this post, with the following comment: “With Scott Walker and the Republicans, you always follow the money. In May, they used the threat of guns in the […] [Capital Times, 10/10/2011]
Van Hollen’s Gun Bravery From Behind Locked Doors, Guarded Office Time and again, scion to a Republican fortune and our state’s Attorney General JB “John Noe” Van Hollen has proven he is a partisan hack instead of the state’s top cop. Van Hollen is the perfect Roscoe P. Coltrane to Scott Walker’s corrupt Boss Hogg. Van Hollen refused to join the John Doe investigation of […] [Scot Ross, 10/05/2011]
Right-wing blogger calls for armed violence against workers In mid-April, professional blogger Andrew Breitbart came to Madison to show his support for Gov. Scott Walker’s attack on worker rights. He shared a stage with other notable speakers like Sarah Palin and Vicki McKenna. Of course the tea party’s puny turnout was overshadowed by the huge uprising of middle-class workers and labor union supporters, […] [Cody Oliphant, 09/19/2011]
Signed into law “Concealed Carry” bill Walker signed into law SB 93, the “Conceal Carry” legislation, which allows individuals to go armed with a firearm, loaded or not, and concealed or openly carried. Loaded firearms are also now generally allowed in vehicles with a concealed carry permit. The law specifies that an individual carrying a firearm openly or concealed cannot be […] [2011 WI Act 35, 07/08/2011]
Walker Repealed Racial Profiling Law Walker signed into law a bill that repealed a racial profiling law that took effect in January of 2011 that requires police to collect the age, ZIP code, gender and ethnicity of stopped drivers and their passengers to determine if police are engaging in racial profiling. (2011 SB 15, introduced 2/2/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly […] [2011 WI Act 29, 06/22/2011]
Walker signed bill ending system tracking possible racial profiling Police officers will no longer have to collect traffic-stop data to track possible racial profiling, under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Scott Walker. The bill, which passed the Senate in February and the Assembly June 8, will reverse a state mandate requiring Wisconsin’s 600 law enforcement agencies to collect racial and other […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/22/2011]
Walker signed bill ending system racial profiling tracking program Republican Gov. Scott Walker has killed a statewide mandate on police to gather racial data during traffic stops. Walker signed a GOP bill Wednesday that ends requirements that officers collect the age, zip code, gender and ethnicity of drivers and passengers. Democrats passed the requirements when they controlled the Legislature, arguing the data will prove […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/22/2011]
State panel OKs bill that wouldn’t require permits for concealed carry Shortly after the election, Walker planned to sign whatever lawmakers approved, according to a newly released email. The email from Murray was acquired by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now through the state’s open records law. Walker’s office verified it was authentic. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/24/2011]
Senate committee hears arguments about proposed conceal-carry bill Meanwhile, the liberal group “One Wisconsin Now” dug up an e-mail which claims that Governor Scott Walker would sign any measure that gets to his desk. [Pierce County Herald, 05/24/2011]
Walker’s budget ended early release programs for prisoners On the chopping block in Walker’s two-year budget proposal are early release programs for prisoners, in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, mandatory insurance coverage of contraceptives, college financial aid for high school grads who are good citizens and public financing for Supreme Court campaigns…Walker wants to repeal an inmate early release program […] [Associated Press, 03/09/2011]
Lawmakers pass bill protecting homeowners who shoot intruders A state group representing more than 600 criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges and academics also opposes the castle doctrine bill. “AB 69 changes Wisconsin law by providing a defense for irrational people armed with deadly force. Under its provisions, malevolent, reckless, or paranoid people who shoot trick-or-treaters or repairmen on their porch will be presumed […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/04/2011]
Walker Signed “Castle Doctrine” Law Giving Legal Immunity to Property Owners Shooting “Intruders” A state group representing more than 600 criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges and academics also opposes the castle doctrine bill. “AB 69 changes Wisconsin law by providing a defense for irrational people armed with deadly force. Under its provisions, malevolent, reckless, or paranoid people who shoot trick-or-treaters or repairmen on their porch will be presumed […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/04/2011]
Public Safety Officials Warned Walker Furloughs Could Compromise Public Safety “Unpaid furloughs ordered to help balance Milwaukee County’s 2010 budget could compromise public safety, according to law enforcement and court officials. The impact of furloughs — or other substitute budget cuts – -could range from slower prosecutions to delayed trials and criminal arrest warrants, the officials said. Restraining orders in domestic violence cases also might […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/18/2010]
Walker Gave Up Control of House of Correction and Transferred to Sheriff “The board did not disrupt Walker’s plan to place oversight of the House of Correction under Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. and merge it with Clarke’s operation of the county jail. Under the change, Walker would give up his management responsibility over the House of Correction and county work-release center. The center came under fire […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/11/2008]
Walker’s House of Correction Mistakenly Released Inmates, Had Over 50 Inmates Leave Without Permission “Also Thursday, Malone released a report showing the House of Correction has mistakenly released six inmates since April 2005 and the downtown work-release center has had 54 inmates who left without permission since 2003. The minimum-security center downtown can’t lock its doors overnight when inmates are supposed to be confined because the converted 1930s hospital […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/07/2008]
Inmate Committed Murder While He Was Supposed to be Sleeping at Walker’s House of Correction Freddie Dudley was a work-release inmate when charged with reckless homicide for killing a man on the city’s west side last August while he was supposed to be sleeping at the House of Correction center.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/07/2008]
Federal Reports Slams Milwaukee County Lockups “The Milwaukee County House of Correction in Franklin and the downtown work-release center come under severe criticism in a new federal report, which calls the operations seriously flawed and marred by security lapses, bad management, poor employee morale and crowded conditions. Both facilities also have serious fire safety shortcomings, including inoperative alarms and no sprinklers […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/25/2008]
Walker Didn’t ‘Believe in Concealed Carry Anymore’ During First County Executive Run What Walker tells the voters today doesn’t seem to bear any resemblance to what he might tell them tomorrow. Example: Walker has been a co-sponsor of a bill in the Legislature that would allow people to carry concealed weapons. Never mind that the bill would increase the guns on the street at a time when […] [Capital Times, 04/13/2002]
Walker Voted Against Concealed Carry During Milwaukee County Executive Run The bill allowed people to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon and required a county sheriff to issue a license to any applicant meeting eligibility requirements. (Assembly Journal) [2001 AB 675, 02/27/2002]
Walker Voted to Shield Gun Industry From Lawsuits The bill would have granted, “firearm importers, manufacturers, dealers and trade associations immunity from civil liability in any action brought by an individual or group for an injury or death caused by a firearm or by firearm ammunition.” (Assembly Journal) [1999 AB 246, 02/08/2000]
Walker pushed for private prisons Rep. Scott Walker sees the future for Wisconsin’s overburdened prison system, and it doesn’t involve a massive building campaign by the state. Instead, Walker, R-Wauwatosa, the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts, envisions a landscape dotted with shiny new corrections facilities, built and operated by private prison companies. And he’s introduced […] [Capital Times, 10/28/1999]
Walker Received Campaign Contribution From Private Prison Industry Executive Whose Company Did Business With State … Expresses Surprise It Took So Long “Quite frankly, I was surprised that if he was going to give, he hadn’t given earlier. I’ve been a private-prison advocate for some time.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/1999]
Walker Authored Bill to Allow Private Prison Construction in Wisconsin and House Prisoners From Other States The bill, “establishes the conditions under which a private person may construct and operate a prison in this state for the confinement of inmates from other states.” [1999 AB 519, 01/01/1999]
Walker Sponsored “Truth in Sentencing” Revisions to Sentences “The bottom line is about victims. This gives prosecutors, judges and especially, victims, some certainty to these sentences.” (1997 Assembly Bill 351, 1997 WI Act 283) [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/29/1997]
Walker Proposed Bill That Would Have Allowed Offenders as Young as 15 be Sent to Adult Prisons The bill made numerous revisions to the juvenile justice code including providing, “a uniform age of 15 years at which DOC may transfer a juvenile prisoner to an adult prison.” [1997 AB 729, 01/01/1997]
Walker Voted For State Preemption of Local Gun Control Laws The bill prohibited, “any city, village, town or county (political subdivision) from enacting an ordinance that regulates firearms in a way that is more stringent than state law. (Assembly Journal ) [1995 AB 69, 10/03/1995]
Walker Sponsored Bill to Chemically Castrate Child Sex Offenders Under the bill, a court could determine a serious child sex offender should be ordered to undergo pharmacological treatment aka “chemical castration” [1995 AB 594, 01/01/1995]
Walker Proposed $50 Million in State Borrowing to Build “SuperMax” Prison Walker’s bill increased “the general obligation bonding authority for the prison expansion project by $50,000,000, from $25,000,000 to $75,000,000. [1995 AB 1018, 01/01/1995]
Walker Sponsored Juvenile Code Rewrite to Include Allowing Children as Young as 10 to be Tried as Adults The bill granted bill adult courts “original jurisdiction over a juvenile who is alleged to have attempted or committed first-degree intentional homicide or to have committed first-degree reckless homicide or 2nd-degree intentional homicide on or after the juvenile’s 10th birthday.” (1995 WI Act 77) [1995 AB 130, 01/01/1995]