Currently all bills that affect state or local costs must include such an estimate, with the exception of crime bills. Both houses of the Legislature are prohibited from voting on a crime bill unless an appropriation is attached. The appropriation for each new crime or penalty enhancement law must equal the amount of additional operational and capital costs for housing prisoners for two years. The money appropriated would be set aside in a corrections special reserve fund that could be used only for debt payments on correctional facilities, DOC operational costs, or community corrections programs. Any interest created by the reserve fund would be used for child abuse prevention efforts.
Child abuse is a major factor in contributing to criminal behavior.
This proposal was forged with participation by staff from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Legislative Council, Department of Corrections, and Dane County. Bipartisan supporters include Attorney General Jim Doyle, Senate Republican Leader Mary Panzer, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Conclusion State Rep. Shirley Krug was elected Democratic Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1998, the first woman to lead Democrats in either house. She has served 16 years in the Legislature, representing Milwaukee's northwest side. Krug holds a master's degree in economics from U.W.-Milwaukee.