WE HAVE IT THIS OUR
CONSTITUTION, IT'S UNWORKABLE.
BUT IS THAT SOMEWHERE WHERE WE
FOCUS OUR ATTENTION IF PUBLIC
SAFETY IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY
CONCERNS WITH INDIVIDUALS.
AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE,
EXPANDING THE CASH BAIL, IT'S
ULTIMATELY KEEPING PEOPLE WHO
CAN'T AFFORD IT IN CUSTODY.
AND AWAY FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY AWAY FROM
THEIR FAMILIES.
>> WE LEAVE IT THERE.
KELLI THOMPSON THANKS VERY MUCH.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
OPPONENTS OF THE AMENDMENT TO
CHANGE THE BAIL SYSTEM IN
WISCONSIN WORRY IT'LL LEAD TO
MANY MORE PEOPLE HELD IN JAIL
PRIOR TO TRIAL.
PEOPLE 40 ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT
AND DO NOT, IN FACT, POSE A
SAFETY RISK.
AMONG THEM, WISCONSIN STATE
PUBLIC DEFENDER KELLI THOMPSON.
SHE JOINS US NOW.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING ME.
>> WHY WILL THIS LEAD TO MANY
MORE PEOPLE JAILED PRETRIAL.
>> IT LIKELY WILL LEAD TO
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE BEING HELD
PRETRIAL BECAUSE CASH BAIL DOES
NOT EQUATE TO RISK.
WE CAN HAVE YOU AND MYSELF
CHARGED WITH THE SAME CRIME AND
BE PROVIDED A CASH BAIL BY THE
COURT OR BY THE COMMISSIONER.
ONE CAN PAY, ONE CANNOT PAY, AND
THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
THAT THE PERSON THAT CAN PAY IS
LESS RISKY.
WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IN OUR
JAILS RIGHT NOW, PRESUMED
INNOCENT.
AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE
ABILITY TO PAY THE CASH BAIL
THAT'S BEEN SET IN THEIR
PARTICULAR CASE.
>> IN TERMS OF THE AMENDMENT,
WHY IS IT WRONG TO CONSIDER --
WILL CONSIDER THE SERIOUSNESS OF
THE CRIME, PAST CRIMINAL HISTORY
AND PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY
WHEN SETTING BAIL.
YES
THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS
WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.
>> Russia invades Ukraine, and a
humanitarian crisis unfolds.
The future of cash bail
standards could be put in the
hands of voters.
And is the ferocity of COVID-19
finally over?
Or are we just over it?
>> I'm Frederica Freyberg.
Tonight on "Here and Now" --
We hear the Wisconsin delegation
respond to the crisis in
Ukraine.
The last county in Wisconsin
drops its mask mandate, but
Two perspectives will weigh-in
on the debate over bail reform.
And lawmakers take action on
historic teacher shortages.
It's Here and Now for February
25th.
FUNDING FOR 'HERE & NOW' IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENds of PBS
Wisconsin.
>> The brutal assault on Ukraine
as Russia fully invaded its
borders leaves the world shaken
and President Joe Biden
promising escalating
consequences.
As Russia fired missiles and
invaded cities -- a humanitarian
crisis is quickly unfolding with
NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
EXPERIENCING A FLOOD OF
REFUGEES.
THE U.S. HAS AMASSED SOME 20,000
TROOPS IN EUROPE AND TO DE-TEAR
THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.
And the U.S. and the
international community have
imposed mounting sanctions on
Russia...condemning the attack.
Wisconsin's U.S. senators have
weighed in on the developing
situation...
In a statement, Republican
Senator Ron Johnson wrote,
"Weakness tempts tyrants and
totalitarians to seek more
power. People who only want to
live in peace suffer the
consequences... Europe must act
with strength and resolve to
prevent risking a wider
conflict, and the U.S.
Must support our NATO allies and
freedom loving people in this
moment of extreme peril."
And Democratic Senator Tammy
Baldwin said in a statement,
"Putin has violated
international law, invading a
sovereign and democratic nation
that wants peace and
independence... We need to
continue standing strong with
our European allies and NATO by
providing them the support they
need to hold Putin accountable
for the largest invasion of
Europe since World War II."
Turning to COVID-19 in
Wisconsin, over the course of
the pandemic, Madison and Dane
County public health imposed
strict emergency orders --
including mandating masks in
public spaces.
That mask order expires next
week.
So if one of the strictest
prevention efforts in Wisconsin
is now going away, what does
that say about where we stand
with this disease?
We ask Ajay Sethi Associate
Professor, Population Health
Sciences at the UW School of
Medicine and Public Health.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN WHEN THE
STRAIGHT DANE COUNTY EASES UP ON
MASKS AND TODAY THE CDC IS DOING
THE SAME.
WE'RE IN A NEW PHASE.
EVEN AS HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE
STILL IN THE HUNDREDS.
>> YEAH.
INDEED.
WE'RE JUST GETTING PAST THE
SPIKE CASES DUE TO OMICRON THAT
LED TO HOSPITALIZATIONS AND
DEATHS.
AND IT'S TIME TO RETHINK THE
NEXT PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC AND
HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD LIVING
WITH COVID AND TAKING NECESSARY
PRECAUTIONS AS NEEDED.
>> SHOULD WE JUST BE KIND OF
COMFORTABLE WITH GETTING A BREAK
THROUGH CASE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF
OMICRON, IF THAT HAPPENS A THE
THIS POINT?
>> WELL, IF YOU ARE VACCINATED,
AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE
BOOSTED, YOU REALLY CAN FEEL
CONFIDENT THAT THE VACCINES WILL
PROTECT YOU AGAINST HAVING
SEVERE ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE A WEAKENED IMMUNE
SYSTEM, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK
TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO
SEE WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR
YOU.
IN SOME CASES A FOURTH DOSE MAY
BE RECOMMENDED.
NO DOUBT THE VACCINES ARE AFFECT
EFFECTIVE AGAINST SEVERE
ILLNESS AND DEATH, AND IT'S A
TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE CAN
POTENTIALLY MOVE FORWARD AND
LIVE WITH COVID AND FEEL
COMFORTABLE.
>> WOULD MOST PEOPLE IN
WISCONSIN NOT VACCINATED ALREADY
BEEN INFECTED, THEREBY HELPING
US ALONG TO HERD IMMUNITY, TO
WHICH WE'VE SPOKEN?
>> DEFINITELY A LOT OF IMMUNITY.
FROM PAST INFECTION, AND A
COMBINATION OF BOTH.
ESTIMATES OF MAYBE 70% OR HIGHER
OF PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN HAVE SOME
FORM OF IMMUNITY AND THAT HELPS
A BIT OF A WALL TO PREVENT THE
VIRUS FROM BEING PASSED FROM ONE
PERSON TO ANOTHER.
THE WILD CARD, OF COURSE, IS THE
FUTURE VARIANT, AND THE ABILITY
OF FUTURE VARIANTS TO ESCAPE
SOME OF THE IMMUNITY WE HAVE IN
THE POPULATION.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE CAN FEEL
COMFORTABLE THAT THERE'S A LOT
OF PROTECTION THAT IS OUT THERE.
>> SO THE QUESTION IS, WHEN DOES
COVID-19 BECOME ENDEMIC, AND
WHAT EVEN IS THE DEFINITION OF
THAT?
>> YEAH.
THERE ISN'T NECESSARILY A ANSWER
THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON.
AND IT'S NOT JUST A MATHEMATICAL
ANSWER.
IT'S REALLY WHEN SOCIETY FEELS
THAT WE CAN TOLERATE OR WE CAN
MANAGE THE CASES THAT ARE BEING
TRANSMITTED.
AND I WOULD SAY AS LONG AS OUR
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS CAN MANAGE
SURGES THAT OCCUR, MUCH LIKE
THEY PREPARE FOR FLU SEASON, IF
THERE IS A COVID SEASON THAT'S
IN THE WINTER MONTHS, OUR
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS CAN DELIVER
CARE TO EVERYBODY.
NO MATTER WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.
THAT'S A SIGN THAT AS A SOCIETY
WE CAN LIVE WITH COVID.
BUT, OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO GET
THERE.
I THINK THERE'S A DESIRE FOR
THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT WE NEED TIME
TO SORT OF PROVE AS A SOCIETY
THAT WE CAN INDEED LIVE WITH
COVID, BUT I THINK WE CAN GET
THERE.
>> OKAY.
ONE OTHER QUESTION.
IS LONG COVID NO LONGER A
CONCERN FOR FOLKS OR PEOPLE IN
HAVE HAD THE OMICRON?
>> IT'S STILL A CONCERN.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE
UNVACCINATED.
IT'S A RISK.
IT CAN OCCUR.
AND IT'S NOT AS RARE AS SOME
PEOPLE MAY THINK.
VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE
BOOSTED DON'T HAVE THE SAME RISK
FOR LONG COVID.
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE
RESEARCH IS SHOWING RIGHT NOW.
AND THAT'S WHY I THINK WITH THAT
IMPORTANT TOOL IT'S IMPORTANT TO
CONTINUE TO REMIND THOSE OVER
2 MILLION WISCONSIN AYE -- WILL
LITES NOT -- THOSE WISCONSINITES
NOT VACCINATED YET.
>> WHO SHOULD STILL AGAIN BE
TAKING PRECAUTIONS?
>> IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA FOR
ANYBODY TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY PERCEIVE
THEIR RISK TO BE HIGH.
BUT THOUGH WITH CO-MORBIDITY,
OLDER INDIVIDUALS AND OF COURSE,
ANYBODY UNVACCINATED, JUST TO
REMEMBER THEY ARE THE MOST
VULNERABLE FOR GETTING COVID.
EVEN WITH PAST INFECTION, THAT
IMMUNITY MAY NOT LAST AS LONG AS
YOU MIGHT THINK, AND IF YOU HAVE
HAD A PAST INFECTION WITH A
VARIANT THAT DOESN'T CIRCULATE
ANYMORE, YOU HAVE RISK FOR MORE
SEVERE DISEASE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US.
>> THANK YOU.
Both houses of the legislature
have passed a proposed
constitutional amendment to
change the way cash bail is set
in Wisconsin.
We'll hear from both sides of
this issue, but first, Marisa
Wojcik explains the proposal.
Wisconsin voters may have the
question of bail reform put
before them.
The state Legislature passed a
RESOLUTION THAT COULD GIVE
JUDGES MORE LATITUDE IN DECIDING
IF SOMEONE CHARGED WITH A CRIME
REQUIRES HIGHER BAIL AMOUNTS
WITH STRICTER CONDITIONS OF
RELEASE.
THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF BAIL IS
TO ENSURE SOMEONE ACCUSED OF A
CRIME WILL RETURN TO COURT FOR
TRIAL.
CURRENTLY, THE COURT MUST FOLLOW
CERTAIN CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A
PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE,
AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS THE
ONE THAT REQUESTS BAIL AMOUNTS.
UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, JUDGES WILL
CONSIDER A PERSON'S CRIMINAL
HISTORY AND POTENTIAL THREAT TO
PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN SETTING BAIL.
THIS DEBATE HAS COME TO THE
FOREFRONT AFTER A MAN OUT ON
BAIL TORE THROUGH A DOWNTOWN
WAUKESHA CHRISTMAS PARADE IN HIS
SUV, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND
INJURING DOZENS MORE.
THE JOINT RESOLUTION MUST BE
TAKEN UP AND PASSED BY THE
LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION BEFORE
THEY VOTE TO RATIFY THE
INSTITUTION.
IT WAS PASSED LARGELY ALONG
PARTY LINES AND SEEKING A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THE
LEGISLATURE BYPASSES THE
GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO VETO THE
MEASURE.
>> THE MOVE TO CHANGE THE BAIL
SYSTEM IN WISCONSIN TOOK ON NEW
URGENCY AFTER THE WAUKESHA
CHRISTMAS PARADE WHEN A MAN OUT
ON $1,000 BAIL ON AN ASSAULT
CHARGE PLOWED THROUGH CROWDS
KILLING SIX PEOPLE.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR VAN WANGGAARD
AUTHORED THE RESOLUTION CALLING
FOR THE AMENDMENT.
HE JOINS US NOW.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FREDERICA, AENER TO
BE HERE.
>> SENATOR, WE DESCRIBED IN A
REPORT HOW JUDGES AND
COMMISSIONERS UNDER THE
AMENDMENT WOULD NOW HAVE TO
CONSIDER THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE
CRIME, PAST CRIMINAL HISTORY AND
PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
DOES THIS FLY IN THE FACE, AS
SOME PEOPLE SAY, OF THE
PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE?
>> THE PROBLEM WITH MONETARY --
WHERE THE CONSTITUTION READS NOW
MONETARY BOND IS DESIGNED TO
ASSURE THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL IS
GOING TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR
APPEARANCE.
BUT IF I SAY, OKAY, I WILL PUT
UP MY -- YOU MAKE MY BOND
$50,000, I WILL COME UP WITH A
$50,000 FROM SOMEWHERE, BUT YOU
KNOW WHAT IF I GET OUT, I AM
GOING TO KILL EVERY WITNESS, AND
ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED
IN MY CASE WHEN I GET OUT.
BUT I WILL SHOW UP FOR COURT.
WELL, THE JUDGE HAS TO BE ABLE
TO CONSIDER ALL OF THOSE
POTENTIAL THREATS, AND
INTIMIDATIONS TO WITNESSES.
THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONDUCT
BEFOREHAND.
AND WHAT THEIR THREATS ARE.
AND CAN THEY DELIVER ON WHAT
THOSE THREATS ARE.
THOSE THINGS SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED NOW.
BUT THE WAY THE LAW READS THAT
MONITORY PAIL IS REASONABLE
AMOUNT SOMEONE MAKES THAT CAN
TIE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE BAIL USED TO BE LINKING THEM
AND KEEPING THEM HERE TO SHE UP
FOR COURT -- TO SHOW UP FOR
COURT.
>> CAN'T A JUDGE IMPOSE
CONDITIONS OF WHAT YOU SPEAK IF
A DEFENDANT IS THREATENING
PEOPLE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
CAN'T THERE BE NO CONTACT ORDERS
AND STUFF LIKE THAT UNDER THE
CURRENT LAW?
>> SURE.
THE JUDGE CAN PUT THAT IN PLACE.
AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME THING.
IF I HAVE A HISTORY OF BEING
VIOLENT, AND I HAVE A HISTORY OF
DELIVERING ON MY THREATS, THE
JUDGE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONSIDER
THAT TOO.
IF I JUST RAN DOZENS OF PEOPLE
DOWN WITH MY VEHICLE, AND THEY
SET THE BOND REALLY LOW, AND I
SAY I AM GOING TO GO RUN SOME
MORE PEOPLE OVER, THE MONETARY
SIDE OF THINGS, THAT'S THE WAY
THE STATURE READS.
THE MONETARY IS TO BE REASONABLE
SO THE PERSON CAN MEET THE BAIL
BUT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW
UP.
IN THE WAUKESHA CASE, THE JUDGE
SET THE BAIL AT $5 MILLION
BECAUSE FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
AND THE COMMENT WAS HE IS NOT
GOING TO GET OUT NOW BECAUSE I
SET THE BAIL HIGH.
BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY FITTING
WITH WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAID
IT SHOULD BE.
AND THAT CASE WAS DIFFICULT.
AND WHAT THIS AMENDMENT WILL DO
IS GIVE THE JUDGE THE ABILITY TO
CONSIDER THOSE THINGS
SPECIFICALLY, AND GIVE IT BACK
TO THEM LIKE IT DID PRE-1981 AND
ALSO GIVEN THE RESPONSIBLY TO DO
IT.
WHICH ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
LEAVES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT
THEY ARE DOING AND NOT DOING.
>> INTERESTING.
INTERESTING STUFF.
CERTAINLY WE'LL BE FOLLOWING IT.
SENATOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> FREDERICA, THANK YOU FOR THE
TIME.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> OPPONENTS OF THE AMENDMENT TO
CHANGE THE BAIL SYSTEM IN
WISCONSIN WORRY IT'LL LEAD TO
MANY MORE PEOPLE HELD IN JAIL
PRIOR TO TRIAL.
PEOPLE PRESUMED INNOCENT AND DO
NOT, IN FACT, POSED A SAFETY
RISK.
AMONG THEM PUBLIC STATE DEFENDER
KELLI THOMPSON.
SHE JOINS US NOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING ME.
>> WHY WILL THIS LEAD TO MANY
MORE JAILED PRETRIAL?
>> IT LIKELY WILL LEAD TO
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE HELD PRETRIAL
BECAUSE CASH BAIL DOES NOT
EQUATE TO RISK.
YOU AND MYSELF COULD BE CHARGED
WITH THE SAME CRIME AND PROVIDED
A CASH BAIL BY THE COURT OR BY
THE COMMISSIONER.
ONE CAN PAY.
ONE CANNOT PAY.
AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY
MEAN THAT THE PERSON THAT CAN
PAY IS LESS RISKY.
WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IN OUR
JAILS RIGHT NOW, PRESUMED
INNOCENT.
AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE
ABILITY TO PAY THE CASH BAIL
THAT'S BEEN SET IN THEIR
PARTICULAR CASE.
>> IN TERMS OF THE AMENDMENT,
WHY IS IT WRONG TO CONSIDER THE
SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME, PAST
CRIMINAL HISTORY, AND PROTECTION
OF THE COMMUNITY WHEN SETTING
BAIL?
>> IT IS NOT THAT IT'S WRONG,
IT'S JUST ARE WE LOOKING AT THE
CORRECT FACTORS THAT WE SHOULD
BE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
AND STILL STAY TRUE TO WHAT I
THINK IS EXTRAORDINARILY
IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.
THAT PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE
AND OUR LIBERTY INTEREST.
WE TAKE AWAY SOMEONE'S LIBERTY
INTEREST WHEN WE HOLD THEM IN
JAIL PRESUMED INNOCENT.
PART OF WHAT HAPPENS, WHEN WE
KEEP SOMEONE IN CUSTODY, PRIOR
TO CONVICTION IN A CASE, WE'RE
TAKING AWAY THEIR HOUSING
SECURITY, TAKING AWAY THEIR
CHILDREN, THEIR ABILITY TO WORK
AND BE EMPLOYED AND DOING IT
AGAIN ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT
THEY HAVE COMMITTEED A CRIME.
THEY'RE STILL JUST CHARGED.
AND AGAIN THE PRESUMPTION OF
INNOCENCE IS TO VERY CRITICAL.
WHAT WE SEE DAILY, THAT A NUMBER
OF INDIVIDUALS ARE SITTING TOO
POOR TO PAY A CASH BAIL, EVEN
SOMETIMES A LOW CASH BAIL, AND
SO THEY SIT WAITING FOR THEIR
DAY IN COURT.
WE KNOW NATIONALLY -- THIS IS
NOT A NEW DISCUSSION.
IN FACT, WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS
WITH OTHER LEGISLATE TOWERS,
WITH SENATORS, WITH
REPRESENTATIVES, SENATOR VAN
WANGGAARD.
AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH STATES
AND COUNTIES AND CASH BAIL IS
NOT THE OTHER ONES DIRECTIONS
THEY'RE GOING OR EXPANDING CASH
BAIL.
>> WOULD LIKE TO DO AWAY WITH
CASH BAIL ALL TOGETHER IN.
>> I WOULD.
BUT I KNOW THAT'S NOT WHAT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND THAT'S NOT WHAT I AM ASKING
FOR.
I KNOW THAT CASH BAIL DOES PLAY
A ROLE NAP PEOPLE FEEL THAT DOES
HOLD BASICALLY A STICK OR A
CARROT TO GET PEOPLE TO COME
BACK TO COURT.
BUT IT SHOULD BE USED IN SUCH
LIMITED SITUATIONS.
I'M GOING BACK TO MOST PEOPLE
SHOULD BE OUT OF CUSTODY.
THEY'RE PRESUMED INNOCENT.
A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS MAY NEED
SOMETHING MORE TO CONTINUE THEM
IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT CAN BE NO CONTACT
ORDER.
NO VIOLENT CONTACT ORDER.
THAT COULD BE SOME TIME OF
SERVICES.
THAT COULD BE ELECTRONIC
MONITORING.
AND THEN THERE'S A GROUP OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SAY, HEY,
YOU NEED SOMETHING MORE, AND
THAT COULD BE THE CASH BAIL
SYSTEM WE USE.
BUT, AGAIN, CASH BAIL DOES NOT
EQUATE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHEN WE GO BEFORE A COMMISSIONER
AND A JUDGE TO MAKE A
DETERMINATION ON BAIL, WE HAVE
SOME INFORMATION BUT THE
HEARINGS GO VERY, VERY QUICKLY,
AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT LOT OF
INFORMATION OFTEN ON THESE
INDIVIDUALS.
AND WE'RE SAYING, HOW ESPECIALLY
TO POOR PEOPLE YOU ARE MORE
RISKY.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE
SYSTEM WE SHOULD BE STRIVING TO
HAVE IN WISCONSIN.
>> THERE ARE OTHER MODELS OF
WHICH YOU SPOKE THAT PEOPLE ARE
RESEARCHESES THE FEDERAL MODEL
OF DETENTION, HOW IS THAT BETTER
PEOPLE THINK THAN WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING AT?
>> IT DOESN'T PUT TWO PEOPLE
SIMILAR SITUATED, ONE BEING POOR
THOUGH, IN CUSTODY WHILE SOMEONE
ELSE WHO CAN POST THE CASH BAIL
OUT OF CUSTODY.
PREVENTIVE DETENTION IS USED IN
A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES.
AND IT DOES, WHAT I THINK
INDIVIDUALS ARE LOOKING AT, WE
HAVE PERHAPS A VERY HIGH RISK
GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED
WITH VERY SERIOUS CASES, AND A
COMMISSIONER OR A JUDGE CAN
DETERMINE THAT THERE IS -- YOU
SHOULD NOT BE RELEASED.
AGAIN IT'S A VERY LIMITED NUMBER
OF CASES.
BUT THEY DO HAVE THAT ABILITY.
WITH A LOT OF PARAMETERS.
WE HAVE TO RESPECT DUE PROCESS
AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN
HAVE HEARINGS AND THAT THERE
COULD BE MOTIONS TO GO BEFORE
JUDGES AND SAY, HEY, WE HAVE NEW
INFORMATION THAT THIS PERSON
SHOULD BE RELEASED.
BUT THE FEDERAL SYSTEM DOES
THAT.
A NUMBER OF STATES DO THAT.
WE HAVE IT IN OUR CONSTITUTION,
IT'S UNWORKABLE.
BUT IS THAT WHERE WE SHOULD
FOCUS SOME OF OUR ATTENTION IF
PRIMARY SAFETY IS OF CONCERN TO
SOME INDIVIDUALS.
AND AGAIN HERE WE'RE BY
EXPANDING THE CASH BAIL, BY
ULTIMATELY KEEPING THOSE WHO
CAN'T AFFORD IN CUSTODY, AND OUT
OF THE COMMUNITIES AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY AWAY FROM THEIR
FAMILIES.
>> WE LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KELLI
THOMPSON, AND THANKS FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
WOULD ALLOW JUDGES TO DENY BAIL
ALL TOGETHER BASED ON PRIOR
CRIMINAL HISTORY.
>> ALSO IN THE LEGISLATURE, A
PACKAGE OF ELECTION REFORM BILLS
PASSED BY REPUBLICANS.
ADDRESSING ISSUES THAT COME UP
IN 2020, ABSENTEE BALLOT
APPLICATIONS AND IN-DEVIL INDEFINITE
VOTING --
>> THEY THINK THAT PARACHUTING
INTO WISCONSIN AND DROP MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS IN CERTAIN AREAS THEY
DEEM IMPORTANT.
JUST REVEALS TO US HOW OUT OF
TOUCH THEY REALLY ARE.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE
QUESTIONS.
AND DON'T KNOW IF THEY SHOULD
TRUST THE ELECTION BECAUSE WE'VE
BEEN SAYING THEY SHOULDN'T TRUST
THE ELECTION.
>> AND BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY THIS
WEEK, SHANNON HOLSEY, THE
PRESIDENT OF THE
STOCKBRIDGE-MUNCIE BAND OF
MOHICAN INDIANS ADDRESSED
VETERANS NATURAL RESOURCES,
EDUCATION, HEALTHCARES, AND
PRESERVING IT'S SANCTITY OF
DEMOCRACY.
THE FULL ADDRESS CAN BE SEEN ON
PBSWISCONSIN.ORG, BUT HERE'S AN
EX-CERTAINTY.
>> THE NEXT -- AN EXCERPT.
>> WE'RE EMERGING IN GLOBAL
DEBATES AND REPRESENTATION TRULY
MATTERS AND IT'S SO CRITICAL TO
PRESERVE THE SANCTITY OF
DEMOCRACY.
WHERE DIVERSE GROUPS OF PEOPLE
ARE INCLUDED WHERE DECISIONS ARE
MADE.
THAT IS WHY VOTING IS TO SACRED.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> IT WAS ALREADY A SHORTAGE OF
TEACHERS IN WISCONSIN BEFORE
COVID-19.
BUT THE PANDEMIC ONLY MADE IT
WORSE.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION SAID SCHOOLS ARE
FACING HISTORIC TEACHER
SHORTAGES WITH FEWER STUDENTS
PURSUING EDUCATION DEGREES.
DEMOCRATS AT THE CAPITAL THIS
WEEK PROPOSED A PACKAGE OF EIGHT
BILLS TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL
NEED.
ONE BILL WOULD SET THE MINIMUM
SALARY FOR WISCONSIN TEACHERS AS
THE EQUIVALENT OF WHAT STATE
LEGISLATURES MAKE.
NOW AT JUST OVER $56,000.
ANOTHER WOULD CREATE A RECURRING
$7,000 BONUS TEACHERS WOULD
RECEIVE FOR EVERY 5 YEARS OF
SERVICE AND ANOTHER MEASURE
WOULD SET A $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM
WAGE FOR STUDENT TEACHERS.
MILWAUKEE SENATOR LATONYA
JACKSON IS AMONG DEMOCRATS
PURSUING THE BILLS.
SHE JOINS US NOW.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SOUNDING
THE ALARM OVER WISCONSIN'S
TEACHER SHORTAGE FOR YEARS.
HOW DO YOU THINK THESE PROPOSALS
WILL ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE
PROFESSION AND KEEP THEM THERE?
>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO
EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RECRUITING
THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST MINDS
TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN, AND WE
KNOW THAT EVEN BEFORE THE
PANDEMIC THAT WAS A HARD
OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME.
AND NOW WITH THE PANDEMIC IT HAS
JUST EXASPERATED THE TEACHER
SHORTAGE.
SO WE HAVE TO DO MORE IN
PROVIDING LOAN PAYOFF, AND
PAYING AN EQUIVALENT STARTING
WAGE TO ATTRACT THOSE
INDIVIDUALS INTO OUR CLASSROOM.
>> SO IS IT MOSTLY ABOUT PAY?
OR IS MORE?
THAT TEACHERS OR WOULD BE
TEACHERS NEED?
>> IT'S ABOUT PAY BUT MOSTLY
ABOUT SO MUCH MORE.
IT'S ABOUT BRINGING THE
PROFESSIONALISM BACK TO STATUS
QUO, AND BEING PROFESSIONAL.
YOU HAVE YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS NOT
WANTING TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN
TEACHING BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE
THE PROFESSION AS BEING
APPRECIATED OR HIGHLY REGARDED.
AND WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO
ATTRACT THOSE INDIVIDUALS INTO
THE PROFESSION, BUT ALSO TO
BRING IT BUREAUCRAT TO THE
PROFESSIONAL STATUS THAT IT USED
TO BE LONG BEFORE ACTING.
>> WHERE WOULD THE MONEY COME
FROM TO PAY FOR THE PACKET?
>> WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH
MONEY TO PAY FOR THE PACKAGE.
WE HAVE $1.7 BILLION SITTING IN
OUR RAINY-DAY FUND.
AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING
$3.8 BILLION TO COME IN GPR.
SO THAT'S A TOTAL OF OVER
$5 BILLION THAT WE SHOULD INVEST
BACK INTO OUR CLASSROOMS, AND
BACK INTO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN.
>> MEANWHILE, THE REPUBLICANS IN
LEGISLATURE ARE PASSING BILLS TO
EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE AND
PARENTS' RIGHTS AROUND
CURRICULUM, FOR EXAMPLE,
ALLOWING PARENTS TO SUE.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION THAT
PROPOSALS, YOUR DEMOCRATIC
PROPOSALS WILL EVER EVEN GET A
VOTE?
>> YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE AN
UPHILL BATTLE.
AND IN MOST CASES THIS
LEGISLATION PROBABLY WILL NEVER
REACH THE FLOOR TO GET A VOTE
THIS SESSION AS IT WILL QUICKLY
COME TO AN END IN MARCH.
BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
PEOPLE KNEW THAT THERE ARE
INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE,
ESPECIALLY ON THE DEMOCRATIC
SIDE, THAT ARE -- WE UNDERSTAND
THE NEED TO HAVE WELL-QUALIFIED
TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM
TEACHING OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND
OUR MOST VALUABLE.
WE HAVE SEEN OUR -- MY
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ON THE
OTHER SIDE NOT SHOW ANY CARE OR
CONCERN, ESPECIALLY FOR PUBLIC
EDUCATION.
AND THERE HAS TO BE HONEST ABOUT
IT.
I AM NOT AGAINST CHOICE IN
CHARTER SCHOOLS.
MY DAUGHTER GRADUATED FROM A
PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL ON CHOICE.
SO I DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED.
BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BIAS.
IN MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
CHOOSING TO WANT TO PICK SCHOOL
SYSTEMS AGAINST -- PITTING THE
SCHOOL SYSTEMS AGAINST EACH
OTHER, RATHER THAN ADEQUATELY
FUNDING AND MAKING SURE ALL
SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE BOARD
HAVE WHAT THEY NEED, AND THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE
QUALITY EDUCATION TO OUR
CHILDREN.
>> ANOTHER REPUBLICAN BILL WOULD
BREAK UP MILWAUKEE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS INTO SMALLER DISTRICTS.
WE KNOW IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME
THIS HAS COME AROUND.
AS A SENATOR WHO REPRESENTS
MILWAUKEE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF
THAT PROPOSAL?
>> IT'S DEMEANING.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT
EXIST IN OUR CHOICE AND CHARTER
SYSTEMS TOO, AND WE'RE NOT DOING
ANYTHING TO TRY TO HOLD THE
SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE.
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EDUCATES OVER 78,000 STUDENTS.
AND OUT OF THAT 78,000 STUDENTS,
OVER 62,000 OF THOSE STUDENTS
ARE IMPOVERISHED AND
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.
ANOTHER 20% OF THOSE STUDENTS
ARE SPECIAL NEEDS AND REQUIRE
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING WHICH
IS EXCEPTIONALLY EXPENSIVE.
RATHER THAN MY COLLEAGUES DOING
WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, TO MAKE
SURE THAT MILWAUKEE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS HAS THE RESOURCES THAT
THEY NEED TO ADEQUATELY FUND THE
SCHOOLS, THEY CHOOSE TO WANT TO
BREAK IT UP.
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE
PAST HAD SOMETHING CALLED A
MILWAUKEE MAP PARTNERSHIP.
THAT WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH UW-M
AND THE TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND WE SAW THOSE MATH GAPS
CLOSE.
WE SAW MATH IMPROVE IN OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
CHOSE TO NOT FUND THE PROGRAM
ANYMORE, AND IT WAS CUT OUT, AND
NOW WE'RE SEEING THE GAPS COME
BACK AGAIN AT A MUCH LARGER
RATE.
IF THEY WANT TO DO THINGS TO
IMPROVE AND HELP MILWAUKEE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEY WOULD FUND
THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE MOST
NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAPS AND
STOP TRYING TO PENALIZE A SCHOOL
SYSTEM THAT IS BIGGER THAN SOME
OF OUR COUNTIES.
>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
SENATOR JOHNSON.
THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
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THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
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