Madison – Today, Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) shared her thoughts regarding the veto of Senate Bill 146, ensuring violent criminals are not allowed to change their name:
“Today’s veto of Senate Bill 146 is a devastating blow to victims of violent crime, to the men and women of law enforcement, and to the fundamental promise of justice in Wisconsin.
“This legislation was crafted to close a dangerous loophole that allows individuals convicted of violent crimes to legally change their names; an act that can enable them to evade detection, undermine court orders, and retraumatize the very victims they once harmed. By vetoing SB 146, the Governor has chosen to preserve a system that prioritizes the convenience of offenders over the safety and peace of mind of victims.
“We should be clear about what this means in practice. Victims who have already endured unimaginable trauma may now be forced to live with the reality that their attacker can assume a new identity, making it harder to track, harder to enforce restraining orders, and harder to feel safe in their own communities. That is not justice. That is a failure of leadership.
“Law enforcement officials rely on accurate, consistent identity records to do their jobs effectively. Allowing violent offenders to manipulate those records creates unnecessary barriers to accountability and puts officers and the public at greater risk. SB 146 would have strengthened these safeguards. Its veto weakens them.
“Instead, today’s action sends a chilling message: that the voices of victims are secondary, and that public safety can be compromised.
“We should be profoundly saddened and deeply concerned by that message.
“Wisconsin can, and must, do better,” concluded Rep. Goeben.
