Assembly makes another attempt to create state prosecutor board

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Wisconsin lawmakers are making another attempt to create a state prosecutor board and office. The Assembly Committee on Government Accountability & Oversight held a public hearing for a bill about the board on Wednesday.

Assembly Bill 513 would create an 11-member prosecutor board and state prosecutors office in Madison to manage the state’s 71 prosecutors, similar to the state public defenders office. It would also add an additional staffer. The bill’s estimated cost is $250,000.

The Assembly unanimously passed legislation to create the board in the last session, but the measure failed to pass the Senate. Former Gov. Scott Walker also vetoed creation of the board in 2017, calling it “another layer of bureaucracy which is administratively burdensome.” Representatives revived the proposal, and Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, testified to the committee about its potential impact.

“It sets up a system where (prosecutors) have a better system to discuss how bills will impact their offices and safety in their communities,” said Born.

Another of the bill’s co-authors echoed its importance.

“Our prosecution reflects community values,” said Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha. “Unfortunately, that puts prosecutors at a disadvantage when compared with the state public defenders office or the court system when advocating for their needs here in the Capitol.”

Two state prosecutors who testified at the hearing illustrated the bill’s intended purpose.

“We are not paid today, and we do not get mileage to get here. I have to ask an ADA to do my work for me,” said Louis J. Molepske Jr., Portage County district attorney.

Molepske said representation in Madison would prevent him and other prosecutors from having to give up their time and case loads to address legislation that impacts the state’s criminal justice system.

The Wisconsin State Bar, the state public defender’s office and Association of State Prosecutors registered in favor of the legislation. The bill’s counterpart has been introduced in the senate. Follow @“WLJreporter”