Panel OKs 2 assistant attorneys general to handle gun cases in Milwaukee

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A powerful panel of lawmakers has approved the state Department of Justice’s request for special prosecutors to help with gun cases in Milwaukee.

The Joint Committee on Finance voted unanimously Wednesday to approve money for two assistant attorneys general to help the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office handle gun-related cases.

The DOJ had asked for two permanent positions for assistant attorneys general, each of which would earn $79,000 a year and $31,000 in fringe benefits per year over the next two years.

However, the panel decided Wednesday to give the DOJ eight months’ worth of money in the first year of the current, two-year budget — meaning the two positions will get $146,800 this year. The full $220,000 won’t come until the second year.

In other words, lawmakers decided Wednesday to grant only $366,800 of the $440,000 that the DOJ had asked for.

Both Republicans and Democrats said granting the request will not eliminate Milwaukee’s gun troubles, but that it was a step in the right direction.