Assembly makes another attempt to create state prosecutor board.

Byline: Michaela Paukner, mpaukner@wislawjournal.com

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

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

The Assembly unanimously passed legislation to create the boardin 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 itspotential 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...

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