Two days ago, a man with an arrest record which includes burglary shot two Milwaukee police officers.  A few hours later, another man murdered someone in Milwaukee and shot an innocent bystander.  The suspect in the second shootings had been released from prison earlier that same day.

     As part of the budget, the Governor and the Joint Finance Committee have concocted a scheme which would destroy "truth-in-sentencing" and release State prisoners into the community early.  As an aside, "burglary" is one of the types of non-violent offenses which qualify for early release.

     As of today, there have been 11 more homicides in Milwaukee this year as opposed to last year.  With Tuesday's shooting, three Milwaukee police officers have been shot in the last six weeks. Many ordinary citizens say they are terrified to either live in or travel to the City of Milwaukee. 

     In some ways, this proposal doesn't matter to many out-state legislators.  After all, I don't think that the attorney-turned-legislator who represents Port Wing is too concerned about dangerous criminals flocking into his District.  However my guess is that at least 70% of the prisoners who would be released early under this "catch and release" plan would either return to or settle in the Milwaukee area.

     Therefore, given Milwaukee's crime problem, who in their right mind could think that it is a good idea to release burglars, robbers, drug dealers, multiple time drunk drivers and most other classes of criminals into the community earlier than scheduled?   Moreover, are the politicians that vote for this scheme willing to accept responsibility when these criminals commit new crimes (as they inevitably will)?

     Inquiring minds want to know?

     The math is such that this proposal will fail if three Assembly Democrats stand up to the Governor and their leadership and say that they are not willing to compromise public safety to get a budget deal done.  Three legislators!  Is it really too much to ask in exchange for safer streets.

     The politicians who can decide whether this community becomes more dangerous or not are pictured above.  Here's who they are and their contact information: Pedro Colon, David Cullen, Jason Fields, Tamara Grigsby, Fred Kessler, Peggy Krusick, Jon Richards, Christine Sinicki, Tony Staskunas, Barbara Toles, Annette "Polly" Williams, Leon Young and Josh Zepnick.

     My guess is that some are lost causes (think Joint Finance Committee members Pedro Colon and Tamara Grigsby as well as uber-liberal Fred Kessler).  Others however probably realize that this is a bark out loud bad idea that they don't want to accept responsibility for.

     Law-abiding citizens need to realize that this is not a fait accompli.  It will only take three of these people to rise up and say that they are not going to support a "budget" that puts the lives of their constituents at risk.  Come on guys and gals, how about doing the right thing for once?

     While we're at it, how about some leadership from the Mayor?  After Tuesday's police shootings, Tom Barrett had some strong (and obviously heartfelt) things to say about crime in Milwaukee.  Now is a good opportunity for the Mayor to show that he's about more than just talk!  We're all waiting.