Assembly Taskforce on Racial Disparities Passes Bills on Law Enforcement Policies Print
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Written by Shelia Stubbs Press   
Thursday, 17 June 2021 09:28

george-floyd-protest-eau-claireReal progress for Wisconsin says Stubbs.


MADISON, WI- Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Assembly Bills 110, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334 & 335. In addition, Assembly Bills 109, 134, 190 & 258 all also passed the Assembly with amendments that were recommended by the Speaker’s Taskforce on Racial Disparities Subcommittee on Law Enforcement Policies and Standards. The Co-Chairs of this taskforce, Representative Stubbs (D-Madison) and Majority Leader Representative Steineke (R-Kaukauna), spearheaded the effort to make these recommendations a reality.

On this legislative action, Representative Stubbs released the following statement:

“Black Wisconsinites make up 7% of the population, but 44% of the prison population.  The Black 4-year high school graduation rate is 22.5% lower than the White graduation rate. The median annual income of a Black family less than half of the White median income. Wisconsin is the worst place to raise a Black family.  These facts are shameful, unacceptable, and our community deserves better.”

shelia-stubbs“However, today is a day of progress for our community, for law enforcement, and for the entire state of Wisconsin. These bipartisan bills pave the way for real reforms in our policing system, and will address many of the issues we see in law enforcement today. Through these amendments, and standalone bills, we take a bipartisan step forward to a more equitable Wisconsin.”

“This unprecedented effort brought together community leaders, leaders of faith, and experts in law enforcement to the table. Their input helped inform real change in our state statutes. The 7 month and 3 week endeavor of the Taskforce was filled with many difficult conversations. But as the great Fredrick Douglas once said ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’

“However, today we made real progress for Wisconsin. I must thank my Co-Chair Majority Leader Representative Steineke (R-Kaukauna) as well as the many Taskforce members who spent seven months of their time make reform a reality. I also want to thank Governor Evers, Lt. Governor Barnes, and my fellow members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus for bringing the important work of police reform to the table. In addition, I must thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who voted to pass these key pieces of legislation, and make Wisconsin a better place to live for everyone.”

“I am proud to say that these bills are now passed the Wisconsin State Assembly, and are on track to reach Governor Evers’ desk. Today, we showed that law making is not about Republicans or Democrats, but about progress. This is just the first step, and we will continue to build a Wisconsin that is equitable to all people in our state. As the late Congressman John Lewis said ‘We must be headlights and not taillights.’”

Last Updated on Friday, 18 June 2021 09:46