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Scott Fitzgerald on Crime |
Summary by Wisconsin Justice Initiative: AB 806 broadens the criteria for the Serious Juvenile Offender program--the kind of program most states have eliminated. We know that incarcerating more children will not help the youth nor will it make our communities safer.
Veto Message: I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to increasing the number of youths that could be placed in the serious juvenile offender program when science informs us that a punitive disposition system leads to worse outcomes.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 60-38-1 on Feb/11/20; Senate passed on voice vote (with three members recorded as NO) on Feb/19/20; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voice-voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers on Feb/28/20.
Summary by Wisconsin Justice Initiative: AB 806 broadens the criteria for the Serious Juvenile Offender program--the kind of program most states have eliminated. We know that incarcerating more children will not help the youth nor will it make our communities safer.
Veto Message: I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to increasing the number of youths that could be placed in the serious juvenile offender program when science informs us that a punitive disposition system leads to worse outcomes.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 60-38-1 on Feb/11/20; Senate passed on voice vote (with three members recorded as NO) on Feb/19/20; State Sen. Tom Tiffany voice-voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers on Feb/28/20.
This bill addresses policing practices and law enforcement accountability:
Rep. Elise Stefanik in OPPOSITION (3/1/21): I voted against H.R. 1280--this bill poses a grave danger to law-abiding police officers, as it would eliminate qualified immunity protections, lower the standard for federal civil rights lawsuits, and limit access to necessary equipment during emergencies and natural disasters. Democrats rushed this bill to the House Floor without accepting any input from Republicans, expert testimony, or significant data. I am proud to sponsor the JUSTICE Act with Senator Tim Scott, to provide necessary reforms to end police brutality while protecting our law-abiding officers.
OnTheIssues explanation of "qualified immunity": "Qualified immunity" means that police officers (and other government officials) cannot be sued for actions on duty, unless knowingly taking unreasonable actions. This bill would limit "qualified immunity," which means the family in cases like George Floyd's could sue the police for civil damages.
Biden Administration in SUPPORT (3/1/21): We must begin by rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the people they are entrusted to serve and protect. We cannot rebuild that trust if we do not hold police officers accountable for abuses of power and tackle systemic misconduct--and systemic racism--in police departments.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 220-212-0 on March 3, 2021, rollcall #60; received in Senate on March 9; no further Senate action during 2021.