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Local legislators at odds over new state agency

State Capitol of Wisconsin in Madison

By Thomas J. McKillen

Managing Editor

Two local legislators had distinctly different reactions last week to a new state agency created by Gov. Tony Evers.

Evers created the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention through an executive order, and announced  in a Jan. 14 news release that he is directing $10 million for the office to begin its work and administer grants supporting violence and gun violence prevention efforts statewide. During a Jan. 14 press conference, Evers referenced a Dec. 16 incident at Abundant Life School in Madison in which a student shot two people before taking her own life and said the office would seek to reduce gun violence.

“I have said from the beginning that I would never accept gun violence as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. Violence, including gun violence, is a statewide problem, with statewide consequences for people and families across our state,” Gov. Evers continued. “This issue has long deserved a comprehensive, statewide response, and that’s what we’ll be taking on with our new Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention.”

He then added: “Comprehensive, commonsense gun safety reform is a critical part of reducing crime, including gun violence, statewide, and this issue must be a shared priority that transcends politics and partisanship. We must work together to address the cycle of violence, prevent crime, and keep our kids, our families, our schools, and our communities safe,” concluded Gov. Evers.”

Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin (D-Mequon) — who represents the 8th Senate District that includes portions of Menomonee Falls and Germantown — praised the creation of the new agency.

“I applaud the Governor’s commitment to public safety, violence prevention, and comprehensive gun safety reform here in Wisconsin. It is vital for agencies and organizations to have the necessary resources to be able to collaborate effectively to find solutions needed to keep our communities safe,” Habush Sinykin said.”Every Wisconsinite deserves to feel safe in their communities, schools, workplaces, and homes. I look forward to the proactive work of the Office of Violence Prevention and the impacts it will have throughout Wisconsin.”

Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Erin) — a former police officer who represents an area that includes a portion of Germatown along with Sussex and Lisbon — took issue with the creation of the new state agency.

“Wisconsin does not need more government red tape but better support for local and state law enforcement. The governor should demand that his Department of Corrections immediately begin revoking all criminals on supervision who re-offend. He should start appointing tough-on-crime judges who will hold offenders accountable, help reduce court backlogs, and encourage prosecutors to clear up their high non-prosecution rates,” Piwowarczyk said. “The governor’s focus on gun control measures is misguided. Criminals don’t follow the law, and these measures won’t stop them from getting guns illegally. Instead of targeting law-abiding citizens and growing government bloat, Evers should focus on enforcing existing laws and cracking down on violent criminals.”

Piwowarczyk then added: “This is nothing more than political theater. Wisconsin already has a statewide Violence Prevention Program – it’s called law enforcement.”

State Capitol of Wisconsin in Madison

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