Governor’s budget promotes public safety by increasing shared revenue, supports EMS providers, invests in recruiting and retaining justice workforce |
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary Peter Barca, yesterday visited Racine, Eau Claire, and Wausau to highlight the historic investment in shared revenue included in the governor’s 2023-25 biennial budget. As Gov. Evers announced last week during his 2023-25 Biennial Budget Message, his budget proposal will send 20 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue back to local communities for shared revenue to fund essential local services and promote public safety. The governor’s budget announcements come as communities across Wisconsin continue to struggle to address local needs due to years of state disinvestment under previous leadership. The governor’s budget also proposes investing in recruitment and retention efforts for assistant district attorneys and assistant state public defenders, and continuing efforts to bolster Wisconsin’s emergency medical services (EMS) system.
In his 2023-25 Biennial Budget Message, Gov. Evers unveiled his plans to increase the state’s investments in local communities across Wisconsin: “Our local partners have always played a critical role in our work to build an economy and workforce for the future. But let’s be frank: work at the local level over the last decade hasn’t been helped by the fact our local partners have been asked to do more with less. Whether it’s expanding affordable housing, repairing streets, ensuring clean parks and water, safety services like EMS, police, and fire, or supporting local libraries and public health, so much of the hard work in this state happens at the local level. And it’s time for the state to do its part. “Last month, I pledged my support for a budget provision to send 20 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue back to our local communities for shared revenue. And I’m excited to share that our budget includes that proposal, providing more than half a billion dollars more per year in new resources to invest in key priorities like public safety. We have to get this done, folks. “And we’re not just going to fund our local governments—we’re also going to invest in key programs at the state level to help local partners do important work in our communities. …We’re going to make an unprecedented investment into supporting every level of our state’s justice workforce. “Without providing new resources to recruit, retain, and compensate qualified and experienced professionals who are essential to ensuring our justice system functions well, our state—and our partners at the local level—will continue to face a constitutional crisis. We’re going to tackle this issue head-on in this budget. We’re investing nearly $36 million into bolstering our justice workforce, including assistant district attorneys and public defenders, among other key positions. “Investments in our budget like these are critical. The state has to start being a partner in—not an obstacle to—our local communities’ success. The way we’ve been funding our local governments isn’t sustainable. We need to change that. …” As part of statewide tour following the governor’s 2023-25 Biennial Budget Message, Gov. Evers and DOR Secretary Barca visited Racine, Eau Claire, and Wausau in order to meet with local officials and local police, fire, and EMS providers to discuss the dire need for significant increases in shared revenue. During each of the visits, the governor and secretary had a chance to hear from local partners about the challenges they are facing and how the governor’s shared revenue proposal would help address them—from public safety staffing shortages to ensuring clean water to supporting local public health departments. The governor and secretary were joined by Mayor Cory Mason, Chief of Police Maurice Robinson, and State Rep. Tip McGuire (D-Kenosha) in Racine; City Council President Terry Weld, City Manager Stephanie Hirsch, Fire Chief Christian Bell, State Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), and State Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) in Eau Claire; and Mayor Katie Rosenberg, Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Kopp, and Chief of Police Benjamin Bliven in Wausau. A photo of their visit to Racine is available here, photos of their visit to Eau Claire are available here, here, here, and here, and a photo of their visit to Wausau is available here. According to data from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), since 2011, state aid to communities has been cut by more than nine percent, while public safety costs have increased by more than 16 percent. As a result, over the last decade, local communities have been asked to do more with less and have been forced to make difficult decisions to cut critical services, including public safety. Gov. Evers has been clear for four years now that the state must do its part to ensure communities have the resources they need to meet basic and unique needs alike. Gov. Evers’ shared revenue proposal would mean more than half a billion dollars more per year in new resources for local communities to invest in key priorities like local health and human services, transportation, EMS, fire, and law enforcement services, and other challenges facing Wisconsin communities, such as PFAS and district attorney recruitment and retention—the largest increase in aid to municipalities and counties in decades. This commitment will ensure communities see growth in shared revenue in the future after years of state investment not keeping up with communities’ needs. The governor’s budget provisions build on his previous efforts to increase shared revenue for local governments. In both of Gov. Evers’ previous biennial budgets, he proposed increasing shared revenue payments by two percent annually. Unfortunately, legislative Republicans repeatedly rejected these efforts and, in fact, passed legislation that would have further reduced shared revenue payments to counties and municipalities, which the governor vetoed. In his 2021-23 biennial budget proposal, Gov. Evers also proposed allowing municipalities with populations over 30,000 to impose a 0.5 percent sales tax to diversify local revenue sources and better empower local governments to fund public safety. This was also rejected by Republicans in the Legislature. Gov. Evers is committed to ensuring the state fulfills its obligation to fund local communities—the state, economy, and workforce depend on these investments. In addition to supporting increased shared revenue for local communities, Gov. Evers has directly invested more than $100 million in violence prevention and community safety statewide, including directing $14 million in funding to Milwaukee County to expand their courthouse operations and reduce the backlog of cases in their criminal division by increasing the number of criminal cases that can be heard by supporting staffing for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, the State Public Defender, the Milwaukee Clerk of Courts, and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. The governor has also allocated $5.5 million for the State Public Defender and $5.7 million to district attorney offices to ensure they have the staffing resources they need. These investments come as communities across the state have struggled to recruit and retain employees, including in Wisconsin’s justice system, which has grappled with low pay and high vacancies in recent years. The State Bar of Wisconsin recently noted that the state is approaching a constitutional crisis because of low compensation for state prosecutors and assistant public defenders. Finally, delivering on the promise he made during his 2022 State of the State address, since February 2022, Gov. Evers has invested more than $69 million to support and stabilize Wisconsin’s EMS systems and providers. Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health reported that approximately 41 percent of Emergency Medical Service providers in the state are staffed by six or fewer people, with 21 percent being run by just two or three staff members. Additionally, according to a recent survey by the Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association, 10 communities reported one 911 call that was never responded to because there was no staffed ambulance to send. Between rising costs and a lack of available staffing, some communities have had to go without ambulance services, left with no other option but to hope and rely upon neighboring providers. To help address these challenges, Gov. Evers had directed funding to EMS providers across the state, especially in rural communities, for whatever they need most to continue serving their communities, including staffing support, training for first responders, or purchasing new supplies, medical equipment, and vehicles. As part of the governor’s overall investment in EMS, he directed $8 million in one-time supplemental funding for the Funding Assistance Program (FAP), as well as $32 million through the EMS Flex Grant Program to help fill the gap for those providers who were otherwise not eligible for FAP funding. Gov. Evers’ 2023-25 budget proposal includes $150 million to continue the EMS Flex Grant Program. A list of the governor’s proposals to improve public safety by increasing shared revenue, investing in additional resources for assistant district attorneys, assistant state public defenders, and state attorneys, and supporting EMS services in communities across the state is available below: Investing in Communities
The attached distributions provide initial estimates of what communities would receive under the governor’s shared revenue plan, but final distribution amounts will be estimated to reflect the latest information submitted by communities before payments are made in 2024. Estimated distributions by municipality are available here. Estimated distributions by county are available here. Local Option Sales Tax
Justice System Workforce Initiatives To bolster the justice system workforce and ensure qualified and experienced professionals can tackle the issues facing Wisconsin, Gov. Evers’ 2023-25 budget makes a nearly $36 million investment into compensation for assistant district attorneys, deputy district attorneys, assistant state public defenders, state attorneys, and elected district attorneys to bring them to a more competitive starting wage and provide pay progression. Specifically, the governor’s budget proposal prioritizes recruitment and retention efforts by providing:
In addition, the governor’s budget includes measures to provide additional staff to the different components of the justice system, which is vital to ensuring reasonable caseloads, reducing burnout, and meeting constitutional protections for justice-involved individuals. The governor’s budget supports these efforts by creating:
Finally, to boost the ability to recruit and retain private bar attorneys who accept State Public Defender appointments, Gov. Evers proposed providing $21.6 million over the biennium to further increase the private bar reimbursement rate from $70 to $100. Supporting and Stabilizing Wisconsin EMS
Statutory Changes In 2022, Gov. Evers signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 228, creating an ambulance service provider assessment program to provide supplemental reimbursement. Gov. Evers’ 2023-25 budget creates statutory language to implement the assessment provisions of this Act. In 2021, Gov. Evers also signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 29, which expanded worker’s compensation to cover PTSD for firefighters and law enforcement. Gov. Evers knows that while this was a critical first step, Wisconsin’s EMS providers are maintaining a declining workforce that increases caseloads and puts strain on remaining personnel and surviving provider organizations. As PTSD escalates for critical EMS providers, the state must expand its worker’s compensation coverage in line with law enforcement and firefighters. That is why Gov. Evers’ budget creates statutory language removing barriers that currently prevent first responders with PTSD from receiving worker’s compensation. |
Governor Tony Evers
Governor Evers helps with Criminal Justice
The criminal justice system got a needed shot in the arm from Governor Tony Evers recently that will help in many ways. This is part of continued support as the governor has sent $45 million dollars in federal funds to public safety not long ago. The latest funds $50 million dollars will have a variety of uses. It will be divided between law enforcement and crime prevention programs. The court system has been very backed up because of the pandemic and money is needed to start clearing and catching up with these cases. Most of the money will be spent in the Milwaukee area. The courts will get about $14 million dollars to extend hours and expand staffing. The goal is to clear about 100 extra cases each week.
Statewide law enforcement will receive about $19 million dollars. It will be given out through a formula that relies on population and levels of crime. The Milwaukee Police Department will get about $3 million dollars the most. The governor stated referring to crime “there are more things we can do”. He continued “and this is another public health crisis that deserves our actions. That work continues today”.
Homicides and violent crime have spiked in Milwaukee and across the country the past few years while the pandemic was going on. There will also be money to help modify roadways to improve safety. This will help pedestrians and drivers. Reckless driving continues to be a problem throughout the city. If you drive the area of North 27th Street between Wisconsin Ave and Highland Blvd, you will see new road designs that are already helping. The four corners at the intersections extend with barriers out into the street making it very hard for cars to past on the right side. Illegal right-side passing is a very big problem in the city. I watched closely when I was driving in the area, and this helped a lot.
Money will also be used to help with the State Public Defender’s office, $5.5 million, plus $5.7 million to fill prosecutor positions. The State Crime Lab will get $5 million dollars also. All these funds should greatly help the entire criminal justice system and is much needed.
Evers Administration Continues COVID-19 Testing Efforts, Support
10.9 million COVID-19 tests administered in 2021, including nearly 200,000 tests administered in K-12 schools
Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services (DHS) today reminded Wisconsinites of available programs continuing to provide COVID-19 testing to Wisconsinites, including community testing sites, a K-12 testing program, support for child care testing, testing programs in shelters, long-term care facilities, jails, and pharmacies, and a service to distribute free at-home testing supplies. As Omicron spreads rapidly in Wisconsin, testing remains a critical tool to stopping the spread of COVID-19. To provide the most convenient testing options for Wisconsinites during this time, DHS encourages Local and Tribal Health Departments, health care providers, and other eligible individuals and organizations to apply for the community testing support program. Applications are due February 11, 2022.
“Wisconsin has ranked among the best in the country for getting available vaccine shots in arms and we continue to increase our COVID-19 testing efforts,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “As demand for testing increases, we are continuing to provide robust testing options and support to keep Wisconsinites healthy and safe while working increase testing capacity with public and private partners across the state.”
DHS manages COVID Connect, a testing registration website, and works with Vault Medical Services for free at-home test collection. DHS has also partnered with the Wisconsin National Guard at 24 testing sites; 15 University of Wisconsin campuses; a total of 508 community testing sites; and 513 K-12 public school districts, private and charter schools. DHS also provides testing support to child care programs, shelters, confinement facilities, and long-term care facilities.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Evers Administration has worked to expand testing capacity and availability. In 2021, 183,044 tests were administered through the K-12 testing program alone, with a notable increase in number of tests and percent positivity in November and December. In 2021, 10.9 million tests were administered to keep Wisconsinites safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Last month, nearly ten times the number of tests were administered per day than were administered in July 2021.
“Testing remains a critical tool during this COVID-19 surge,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge. “Thanks to our partners across the state, including local and tribal health departments, Wisconsin National Guard members, health care providers, pharmacies, and organizations across the state, there are several options for Wisconsinites to get tested. No matter your vaccination status, you should get tested if you were in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.”
If you need to test for COVID-19, the following options are recommended by DHS:
- Contact a free community testing site to see if an appointment or registration is needed.
- Check if your local pharmacy participates in DHS’ community testing program.
- Check to see if your workplace offers testing.
- Contact your doctor and ask if your health care clinic provides testing.
- See if your child attends a school that participates in DHS’ K-12 testing. Students, faculty, staff, and in some cases family members in participating schools may be tested at the school for free.
- See if your child attends a child care program that has access to DHS testing.
- Request a free at-home collection kit. The kit will be mailed to you, and you can mail your collected sample in for a laboratory result.
Starting tomorrow, January 19, Wisconsinites will be able to order free tests online at COVIDTests.gov(link is external) from the federal government. According to the Biden Administration’s statement(link is external), tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Wisconsin will continue to offer at-home tests at no cost for state residents, and can be requested online for home delivery.
On December 20, DHS issued a public health advisory calling on all Wisconsinites to take urgent action to prevent additional hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. We all have a critical role to play in stopping the spread.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visit Vaccines.gov(link is external), or call 211 or 877-947-2211. For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. You can also follow @DHSWI on Facebook(link is external), Twitter(link is external), or dhs.wi on Instagram(link is external) for more information on COVID-19.
Expanded Internet Is Coming For Wisconsinites
Governor Tony Evers made the announcement Tuesday, that he planned to use $100 million in federal funds (from the American Rescue Plan Act), to expand broadband access across Wisconsin.
Through an existing grant that helps local governments with project funding, the money will give internet access to unserved and underserved areas in Wisconsin. Grant applications will open June 1st.
Evers stated I declared 2021 the Year of Broadband Access because everyone in this state should have access to reliable internet service,” Evers said in a statement. “Between our Badger Bounceback agenda investments and these federal funds, we’re taking a major step toward connecting everyone in our state. I’m glad to be able to direct this funding to the PSC so the folks in need of high-speed internet can get connected as quickly as possible. I also urge our state legislature to pass our Badger Bounceback agenda to allocate an additional nearly $200 million for broadband access and provide financial assistance to low-income households struggling with their internet bills. This isn’t a question of providing federal or state funding for broadband — we must do both to ensure folks can get connected.”
The money for the project more than doubles, what has been the spending allowance given to Evers on the matter.
The project ha atypically gotten around $52 million total, spoilt between more than 200 projects in the state. what has been able to spend during his term using just state money. In the previous two years, the broadband expansion program spent $52 million on 130 projects across the state.
Cultural organization grant program aims to help financially-strapped arts providers
Milwaukee arts and cultural organizations and agencies negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be able to apply for assistance under a new $5 million grant program announced by Governor Tony Evers, said Alderman Michael J. Murphy, chair of the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.
Governor Evers announced the launch of the COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grant Program yesterday (September 3) to assist Wisconsin cultural organizations that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), the program will be providing eligible organizations grant awards of up to $250,000 to cover pandemic-related impacts including lost revenue, increased workers compensation costs, cleaning and sanitization, and purchases of services or equipment to facilitate telework by employees.
Alderman Murphy said eligible organizations must have a primary mission to produce, present or exhibit cultural disciplines such as music, dance, theater, literature and the visual arts, or items of environmental or scientific interest.
“We are very fortunate in Milwaukee to have numerous nonprofit art and cultural organizations that provide enriching forms of art and expression that draw attendees from across the region,” Alderman Murphy said.
“These organizations are important job providers, play an important role in our local economy and are also a great source of pride, healing and comfort, and this grant program will be a vital help to keep them alive as we look to rebound from the devastating economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 emergency,” he said.
Full program details, eligibility standards, grant application, and program contact information are available here on the DOA website.
Grant applications are due to DOA by no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30th. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a program webinar on September 10th; details are available here.
Kick-starting our economy starts with helping small minority owned businesses
Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson
May 18, 2020
I commend Governor Tony Evers for working to kick-start Wisconsin’s economy by investing in minority owned businesses that have been negatively impacted by the duration and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor’s We’re All In initiative – announced today – will be providing Ethnic Minority Emergency Grants, with $2 million available for ethnically diverse micro-businesses who suffered losses because of the pandemic. The grants are aimed at sole proprietorships or businesses with five or fewer employees that have not received assistance under either SB 20/20 program or SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. One thousand grants of $2,000 each will be administered in partnership with Wisconsin’s 19 ethnic and minority chambers of commerce.
More details are available at https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/minority-business-development/.
We’re All In will also provide grants in the amount of $2,500 to small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees impacted by COVID-19 that have not already received WEDC COVID-19 assistance. Up to 30,000 businesses may receive grants – again very welcome news for the large number of minority owned businesses impacted here in the City of Milwaukee.
The $2,500 cash grants will assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages, and inventory. Grant recipients will become We’re All In businesses by committing to safety protocols and using them in their shops, cafes and places of work to protect their customers, employees, and communities.
More details about the program will be available later this month with businesses able to apply for grant assistance in June.
Small minority owned businesses are part of the fabric of our community and are part of the backbone of our economy. I applaud Governor Evers’ move to help our small businesses get back on their feet and support best practices to keep businesses, consumers, employees and communities safe.
Taylor Resolution Urges Governor Evers to Block Termination of Residential Leases
Measure Also Calls on Feds to Forgive all Current and Outstanding Rent and Mortgage Payments During Pandemic
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Supervisor Sequanna Taylor has introduced a resolution calling on Governor Tony Evers to suspend a Wisconsin law that allows landlords to terminate a residential lease for failure to pay rent and calling on the federal government to forgive all current and outstanding rent or mortgage payments for the duration of the pandemic emergency.
“The coronavirus has compelled us to take bold and unusual steps to protect the health of our community. We must also be willing to take bold and unusual steps to protect the economic security of working families,” said Supervisor Taylor. “Safe and secure housing is a right and it is essential to following the “Safer at Home” emergency order. If we don’t act now to ensure that those who have lost their source of income through no fault of their own can stay in their homes after pandemic is over, we will be confronted with another crisis of housing insecurity.”
“Under the Safer at Home order a lot of Milwaukee residents were labeled as non-essential employees and instructed to remain home,” said Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson. “Subsequently, this put a lot of workers under severe financial strife. People are now not only faced with the dilemma of how to stay healthy, but also how they will afford essential needs like food, medicine, and keeping a roof over their head. As elected officials, we cannot continue to operate as if this isn’t also a major crisis.”
“With the Stay at Home order, tens of thousands of citizens in Milwaukee County cannot go to work. Therefore, they should not be evicted for inability to pay rent,” said Supervisor Steve Shea.
The Milwaukee Board of Supervisors is expected to consider Taylor’s resolution on Thursday.
Milwaukee County and Local Officials Request Support of Army Corps of Engineers
“Alternative Care Facility” Will Provide Additional Beds as COVID-19 Infections Rise
MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, West Allis Mayor Dan Devine, Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Jeanette Kowalik, Milwaukee County Medical Director Dr. Ben Weston, and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council have submitted a letter to Governor Evers requesting support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security for the construction of an Alternative Care Facility in Milwaukee County.
The Milwaukee County Unified Emergency Operations Center (UEOC) and local partners are planning ahead to prepare for the predicted surge in COVID-19 patients in the State of Wisconsin. An Alternative Care Facility, to be constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will provide additional hospital beds for low-acuity COVID-19 patients so local healthcare systems can dedicate their facilities to the most acute cases.
“Preparing for an escalation of COVID-19 cases is critical as we take every possible measure to minimize the impact on our community,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. “We make this urgent request of our State and Federal partners together as one County to support our local healthcare delivery systems in response to this pandemic.”
“As a community, we must move quickly to stay ahead of the virus. We have seen in several communities that hospital systems alone cannot address this pandemic. We must prepare a facility to handle the influx of COVID-19 patients with critical care needs that we can expect to see in the coming weeks,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
“This is about being proactive and taking a regional approach. We are going to do everything possible to ensure there will be minimal disruption to the surrounding neighborhoods. Our community is looking forward to being a partner in this operation,” said West Allis Mayor Dan Devine.
Milwaukee County’s UEOC evaluated several possible sites and agreed that Wisconsin State Fair Park, which has several options for large venues, housing, parking and a natural perimeter, is best suited for the facility. Wisconsin State Fair Park officials have worked extensively with the UEOC to create an actionable plan to utilize their facilities.
“We have been working diligently with local, state and federal officials on determining if Wisconsin State Fair Park facilities could meet the needs of an Alternative Care Facility,” stated John Yingling, Chairman of the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board of Directors. “Now that it has been decided that our facilities are best suited should there be a need, the State Fair Park board and staff will proudly do our part to assist our state’s healthcare workers contain the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately help the great state of Wisconsin on its road to recovery.”
Upon approval, the facility would be built out by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide patient care capacity for non-acute individuals with COVID-19.
The Corps usually takes about one to two weeks to prepare and build such facilities, but their recent work in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center has proven their ability to engineer and build them rapidly.
Funding for construction will come from the federal and state government. Local firms will be contracted to assist the US Army Corps of Engineers in building the site.
Important: Stay at home orders for city and state
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will issue a “Stay at Home” order Tuesday for all non-essential state businesses. In Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett announced the city is issuing a “stay at home” order effective today, March 23. The order is modeled after those that are already in effect in other states.
But Barrett noted the city order isn’t telling residents to shelter in place, but an effort to create a safer
community, not to alarm anyone. He said officials are closely monitoring the growth of COVID-19 cases in the city and Milwaukee county. The order is meant to slow the virus’ growth.
The mayor said the city order is taking place a day ahead of the governor’s because the city and county are the places where there are more cases than anywhere else in the state.
The mayor also stressed residents shouldn’t make a mad rush to the food stores, that they will still be able to go and get food. They can also continue taking walks, jogging, or walking their dogs.
Calling it a “#SaferAtHome” order, Evers said his decision comes after consultation with public health experts, business leaders, and local elected officials across Wisconsin. Evers revealed the aforementioned entities told him it is an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
“Issuing a #SaferAtHome order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, and it’s not something I take lightly,” Evers said in a tweet thread. “But here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously.”
The governor said people need to limit their interactions, recommending they only have contact with the same individuals and not different small groups. They should also not schedule play dates or sleep overs, or dinner parties, etc.
Source for this article: WMTV, Madison, WI. and Fox6Now.com
Chief Judge White Recognized for Service to Milwaukee County
MILWAUKEE – The Board of Supervisors awarded Chief Judge Maxine White with a special citation today that recognized her long list of accomplishments and her many years of service to Milwaukee County.
“Judge White has been a tireless advocate for improving our community and is a powerful force for good. She has given voice to some of our most vulnerable children and admirably served the people of Milwaukee County,” said Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., who sponsored the citation.
Governor Tony Evers appointed Chief Judge White to serve on Wisconsin’s District 1 Court of Appeals in January. Her term starts next week.
In 2015 the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed White to serve as Chief Judge of Wisconsin’s First Judicial District, which is comprised of Milwaukee County.
Chief Judge White earned her Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin from 1985 to 1992.
Chief Judge White was first appointed to the bench as a Milwaukee County Judge in 1992 and was re-elected several times.
The Board of Supervisors commended Judge White for her dedication to the community and her work leading several statewide justice initiatives.
The citation also credits Chief Judge White with sounding the alarm on the inhumane treatment of youth at Wisconsin juvenile detention facilities, which is leading to significant reforms.