Madison, WI – June 17, 2025 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s elected leadership, including Ryan M. Billings, President; Dan Gartzke, President-Elect, and Past President Dean R. Dietrich, released the following statement after today’s Joint Committee on Finance votes on Criminal Justice funding:
“The State Bar appreciates the support for funding increases to address a critical and ongoing need to recruit and retain experienced prosecutors and defenders. The State Bar will continue to be engaged and involved in finding solutions that support our justice system. Attracting and retaining the dedicated professionals that work every day to provide a fair and equitable legal system for all remains a high priority.”
Proposals in the Joint Finance vote that were supported by the State Bar include:
- Funding for a one step increase in the salary structure for the upcoming fiscal years for Assistant District and Deputy District Attorneys and State Public Defenders.
- Adding new General Purpose Revenue (GPR) positions and converting expiring federal positions. A total of 42 Assistant District Attorney positions are anticipated to start on October 1, 2025.
- Providing needed updates to the District Attorney Information Technology program.
- Adding 12.5 new GPR positions for the State Public Defender’s office to address workload issues.
Atty. Ryan Billings, President
Atty. Dan Gartzke, President-elect
Atty. Dean Dietrich, Past President
