NE WI lawmaker’s bills advance supporting volunteer firefighters, children, and electoral choices
MADISON, WI…Local public safety officials will be better able to fight violent crimes, such as domestic abuse and gang violence, under legislation passed by the State Assembly today.
State Sen. André Jacque (R-New Franken), author of the legislation (Assembly Bill 65), said that under current law, prosecutors can bring more serious charges against a person who breaks into a garage to steal someone’s bicycle than someone who breaks into their home to inflict bodily harm.
“In other words, it is a felony to attempt to steal items from someone, but only a misdemeanor to break into their house or apartment to beat them up,” Sen. Jacque said. “Clearly, we need to protect people as well as property, and these common-sense legislative revisions that will bring justice to criminals and their victims.”
Sen. Jacque also had three other bills clear the Assembly that now move on to the Senate:
Supporting Our Volunteer Fire Fighters (Assembly Bill 187): Legislation supporting our local volunteer fire fighters by reimbursing their education and training expenses passed the Assembly today.
“Most of us don’t realize that the volunteers who dedicate their time to serve and protect their neighbors are also expected to pay for their own education and training,” Sen. Jacque said. “It’s no wonder that some departments providing emergency services are struggling to attract and retain volunteers.”
Clarifying Child Relocation Standards (Assembly Bill 123): To ease pressure on family courts, and avoid unnecessary confusion and contention, legislation clarifying the 100-mile child relocation standard as driving miles unanimously passed the Assembly.
“This standard will provide clarity to the public and reduce additional hearings clogging our courts when the result is predictable based on precedent,” Sen. Jacque said. “It’s also a way to take an issue off the table and relieve one of the pressure points inherent in child custody cases.”
Supporting Third Party Candidates (Assembly Bill 149): Legislation to prevent political operatives from running to the courts to shield their candidates from third party options who may pose a threat to their campaigns passed the Assembly. The measure is a response to the Democrats’ attempt to keep Green Party contender Jill Stein off Wisconsin’s presidential ballot last Summer, fearing she would swing Wisconsin’s electoral votes to President Trump.
“In the end, Jill Stein remained on the state ballot, because the Wisconsin Supreme Court refused to hear the case, although justices did not state their reasoning for doing so,” Sen. Jacque said. “It’s important to codify candidate qualifications in our statutes to leave no room for future dubious legal interpretations.”
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
