Doyle says Green's crime plan means less police, fire personnel in state

(a press release from the Doyle campaign)

MADISON - Today, Congressman Mark Green is talking about fighting crime.

The problem? His plan would hurt Wisconsin law enforcement, not the criminals.

That's because his budget plan would force cities and towns to enact deep cuts to our core priorities, like schools, prescription drug coverage for seniors, and yes, police and firefighters.

How do we know?

Because when the Institute for Wisconsin's Future looked at what a budget plan like Congressman Green's would do to public safety, they found that if it were applied to the FY 2002 budget, it "would have meant 2,000 fewer police and firefighters in 2002." [Source: Institute for Wisconsin's Future, January 2005]

Congressman Green’s budget will gut public safety and weaken communities. With health care costs, energy costs, and other costs rising but spending frozen, communities will be forced to cut back police and fire protection, and other critical services that help to keep our communities safe and secure.

"Congressman Green's plan for fighting crime looks like it was written by the keystone cops," said Anson Kaye, Communications Director for the Doyle campaign. "He'd force deep cuts to first responders, meaning fewer police on the street. That's great news – for criminals."

In contrast, Governor Jim Doyle has spent 30 years working to keep Wisconsin safe.

Governor Doyle’s Record:

• Stood with local law enforcement to protect their jobs and stop dramatic cuts by restoring and fully funding shared revenue [Source: 2005 Wisconsin Act 25];
Stood with law enforcement and twice vetoed legislation that would allow concealed, loaded and lethal weapons into crowded shopping malls, rock concerts, banks, at the State Fair and Summerfest – and even on playgrounds [Sources: 2005 Wisconsin Senate Bill 403, Governor Doyle Press Release, 1/20/06; 2003 Wisconsin Senate Bill 214, Governor Doyle Press Release, 11/18/03];
• Launched the Sex Offender Apprehension and Felony Enforcement Initiative (SAFE), in which state, local, and federal law enforcement partners work together to track down and apprehend noncompliant sex offenders. As of August 2006, over 850 noncompliant sex offenders have already been located. Wisconsin was one of only two states in the country to earn a grade of "A" and the only Midwest state to receive a grade higher than “D” in a report issued earlier this year by the national children's advocacy group, "Parents for Megan's Law." [Sources: Governor Doyle Press Release, 9/20/05; parentsformeganslaw.com]; and
• Provided Milwaukee law enforcement with an additional $750,000 to help pay for the overtime costs to put more cops on the street. Further, Governor Doyle announced the state would provide $500,000 to provide an additional 450 youth summer jobs as part of Mayor Tom Barrett's Summer Jobs Program, and $200,000 for additional police presence in city neighborhoods to help keep the community safe. [Source: Governor Doyle Press Release, 6/22/06]

“As a prosecutor, former Attorney General, and now as Governor, no one's been tougher on hardened criminals in Wisconsin than Governor Jim Doyle – which is why he has broad support among law enforcement all across the state,” Kaye said.

Paid for by Doyle for Wisconsin, Karin Gale, Treasurer