MADISON – Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) released the following statement after Governor Evers vetoed the planned closure of Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI) by 2029, as well as new positions for the state’s nonpartisan, award-winning Legislative Audit Bureau, from the 2025-26 State Budget:
“Governor Evers’ veto is a signal he is not interested in very simple facility management to solve the GBCI question. Closing GBCI is doable by 2029 if we convert and expand existing facilities to take more medium-security inmates currently housed in maximum-security prisons because of overcrowding. Evers’ plan for medium-security inmates instead would expand the Earned Release Program and let thousands of dangerous criminals into our neighborhoods in coming years.
Wisconsin learned soft-on-crime policies were harmful in decades past, and that’s why we have Truth in Sentencing laws. There is a better path to close GBCI than to let robbers and carjackers out into neighborhoods early with a slap on the wrist and some job training, as Governor Evers desperately wants.”
Senator Wimberger continued, “Governor Evers also vetoed four new auditors for the Legislative Audit Bureau. As Audit Committee co-chair, we’ve been able to uncover a $175 million slush fund, administrative bloat at the UW System, discriminatory DEI policies across state government, and major dysfunction at the Department of Public Instruction. Vetoing funding for new auditors is simply the Governor’s attempt to stifle good government oversight of his bad policies.”
Highlights of the 2025-26 State Budget affecting Northeast Wisconsin that Senator Wimberger secured include:
- $30 million to fund the Southern Bridge rail crossing project serving Northeast Wisconsin, secured with the help of Representative Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere)
- $20 million to support the expansion of the Port of Green Bay, secured with the help of Rep. Franklin
- New assistant district attorney positions for Northeast Wisconsin, including 7 in Brown County, 2 serving Shawano and Menominee Counties, and 0.5 positions each for Marinette and Oconto Counties
