In 2012 there were 8,952 youth admissions to juvenile detention in Wisconsin; almost one-third of admissions were in Milwaukee County.
Juvenile Justice Detention Data Report–2012
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Collecting DNA Samples at Arrest Ruled Constitutional
The US Supreme Court ruled today, in the case of a Maryland law that permitted collection of DNA samples at the time of arrest for serious offenses. The court ruled 5-4 in upholding the law, essentially indicating that it was akin to taking fingerprints or photos of suspects who ultimately may not even be charged or convicted of an...
Price Tag for Governor’s BadgerCare Plan Could Rise to Help Offset Cost of More Uncompensated Care
More Spending for Hospitals Would be a Reasonable Response to an Unreasonable Political Choice The Milwaukee Business Journal reported on Friday that GOP leaders are working on a budget amendment that responds to concerns of Wisconsin hospitals about an anticipated increase in uncompensated care from the Governor’s proposal to remove...
Missed Opportunities for Early Care and Education: Joint Finance Actions (May 2013)
The state budget deliberations in the Capitol have been very disappointing so far for advocates urging improvement in early learning and development. The Joint Finance Committee has now voted on most of the key issues, and there is slim hope that those decisions will be changed by the full legislature. However, there are some bright...
Massive Unemployment Insurance Motion Adds Still More Policy to the Budget Bill
A 14-page motion that was unveiled and voted on in the Joint Finance Committee today would make sweeping changes to the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) laws. Rep. Cory Mason called the motion, which was approved on a party-line vote of 12-4, an abuse of the budget process and an “end run” around the UI Advisory Council. The measures...
JFC Meets on Remaining DCF Issues Thursday
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) holds another executive session on the budget bill on Thursday, May 30. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 E. The two major areas on the agenda are the remaining issues related to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the state building program. A full list of the...
New LFB Analysis Confirms that Accepting Federal Medicaid Funds Would Save the State Money and Cover Far More People
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) paper relating to options for improving or restricting access to BadgerCare was released late today, and it confirms that the state could cover far more people for a lot less money by accepting the enhanced federal Medicaid dollars provided by the Affordable Care Act. In fact, a compromise that would...
Excluding Kids from School – What do you know about suspensions and expulsions?
Despite a gradual decline in recent years in the rates of suspensions and expulsions of students in Wisconsin, did you know that:Each year over 250,000 school days are lost to expulsion and suspensions?Black students are 10 times as likely to be suspended as white students? American Indian children 3-4 times as likely and Hispanic...
K-12 Issues in Budget Scheduled for May 29 Vote in Finance Committee
The next meeting of the legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will be on Wednesday, May 29, starting at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 E. K-12 education will be the major topic of discussion and debate. I believe all of the remaining K-12 issues are on the agenda. Other items on the agenda that day include some proposals for new sales tax...
Assessing the Risks of the Governor’s Health Care Plan
New WCCF Paper Summarizes Risks of Counting on Private Coverage to Work for Adults Near the Poverty Level Most of the debate about the proposed changes to BadgerCare in the budget has focused on the fact that the Governor’s plan would cover far fewer people, but would cost considerably more than alternatives that accept the enhanced...
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