Our bipartisan budget was a great one for public safety and law enforcement. We made a number of investments aimed at keeping our communities safe and equipping those who protect us with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.

One of our key investments was in the Office of School Safety (OSS), where 13 positions that were previously funded with federal grants and temporary pandemic relief money were made permanent. Keeping the OSS staffed is vital to our schools. This team is a critical resource for our students, teachers, and administrators statewide. They provide guidance and trainings on preventing dangerous situations, a 24/7 tip line, and post-crisis support services. I have heard first-hand about the benefits that the invaluable free resources they provide to schools.

In collaboration with the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association, the budget includes funding for 42 new district attorneys with a focus on keeping our communities safe. This plan includes adding 1.5 assistant district attorneys (ADAs) in Grant County, 1.0 ADA in Dane County, and 0.5 ADA in Crawford County. We also gave district attorneys and ADAs a pay increase to help retain top talent in public service and continue the good work they do.

Our work included a significant funding increase for Child Advocacy Centers. These centers are a great asset to public safety, supporting and offering counseling to children who are victims of abuse, neglect, and endangerment. Our community is lucky to have Green County Child Advocacy Center, which works closely with law enforcement and district attorneys to secure conviction in child abuse cases.

The budget funds a pilot program to improve data sharing among law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions. This program will help police officers from across the state to work together, allowing them to close cases more quickly and efficiently. We also added two positions at the Department of Justice to work on missing children’s cases. These positions were needed after the expansion of the AMBER Alert and other missing persons alerts.

This budget helps schools stop crises before they happen and respond more effectively when tragedy strikes. It empowers law enforcement with the tools to put criminals behind bars. It supports public safety personnel and gives them the tools they need to keep you and your loved ones safe.

If you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call my team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready and willing to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.