New Legislative Package to “Disrupt Disparities” Proposed Print
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Written by BOWEN PRESS   
Monday, 16 December 2019 16:37

jailedRepresentatives Bowen and Crowley will host round-table at UWM to discuss further steps to end the disparities in Wisconsin.


MADISON, WI – State Representatives David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) and David Crowley (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement regarding their plan to disrupt disparities in Wisconsin:

david-crowley“For the last decade, Wisconsin has consistently been ranked as one of the worst states for racial disparities in the country,” said Rep. Crowley. “Whether it is ranking worst for employment and unemployment disparity, second worst in incarceration disparity, or third worst in income disparity, it is clear that we no longer can accept the status quo for our communities of color.”

The bill package features six bills aimed at reducing the instances and impact of racial disparities in Wisconsin. The bills run the gamut of the political and legal process, from a bill that would require the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties to meet, to a bill that would end the practice of juvenile life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

david-bowen“For far too long, we have seen our criminal justice system over-punish and over-incarcerate communities of color, with little to no effort dedicated to meaningful, evidence-based, front-end reforms,” said Rep. Bowen. “These six bills will build on previous successes with back-end reforms, are based on discussions with stakeholders from across the political spectrum, and will help provide a starting point to further the discussion of what is both moral and necessary.”

Following the introduction of the package, the Representatives will host a round table conversation at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to discuss further steps to end the disparities in Wisconsin. The event will bring together legislators, community organizations, and citizens to discuss the bill package as well as other ways in which Wisconsin can tackle the numerous disparities in the state.