MILWAUKEE – April 4, 2025 – The following statements were issued today at the Joint Committee on Finance’s public hearing on the 2025-2027 state budget, supporting investments in public safety and justice:
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley:
“Milwaukee County is turning our focus to the generational impact we can have on public safety, and the single most important investment we can deliver for public safety will be the removal and replacement of the Milwaukee County Public Safety Building.
To improve outcomes for all, strong partnerships will be key. Nearly 80% of Milwaukee County’s property tax levy is already dedicated to state-mandated services – services that cost $70 million more than five years ago. This local investment in state services is unsustainable. A partnership with the State is essential to ensure we can deliver critical public safety services to our community.
We know that when our partners in Madison deliver public safety investments for Milwaukee County, we deliver results. We’ve done it before, and we will do it again.
I look forward to working with the Legislature to address the critical public safety needs in Milwaukee County for the benefit of our entire region and state.”
Chief Judge Carl Ashley, First Judicial District:
“For years, Milwaukee County has been doing its best to make ends meet when it comes to providing public safety services to the community, but the harsh reality is that those services, including our circuit courts, are woefully underfunded and require major investment.
Milwaukee County’s court facilities can no longer responsibly carry out modern safety and justice services because they are outdated and present serious safety and security concerns.
Partnership will be crucial in addressing this need, and I look forward to continued conversations for improving the outcomes for all Milwaukee County residents and visitors who are impacted by the criminal justice system.”
Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern:
“Milwaukee County’s justice system requires more resources to operate at its full potential. This includes increased funding for assistant district attorney positions, the public defender’s office, as well as investments in our courthouse buildings.
Since 2022, our office has seen approximately 1,500 additional cases each year – for a total of 6,312 incoming felony cases in 2023. Over the last few years, Milwaukee has lost over 25% of its legal staff – or roughly 40 ADAs. Half of our current prosecution staff have less than five years of experience. When federal funds expire this summer, Milwaukee County will see an additional 10% reduction in ADAs. That means laying off 10% of our current ADAs who are today staffing criminal courts in Milwaukee County.
Milwaukee County is called on to manage an increasing number of felony cases with a less experienced staff, in a Public Safety Building that is literally crumbling. We need investment in a facility that will support, not hinder, the important work we are doing.
Additional funding for ADAs and a new public safety building will help attract and retain the talent needed to address serious public safety issues.
I want to thank the legislature for the significant investment in the last budget you made in the justice system throughout the State. Moving forward in this budget, I am asking the legislature on behalf of communities here and statewide to continue investing in our justice system so we can meet our increasing public safety obligations. I welcome the opportunity to speak with anyone individually about what we need in order to keep our community and the surrounding region safe.”
Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita R. Ball:
“The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is currently executing its services and operations in facilities that are crumbling, outdated, and unfairly impact justice outcomes.
A significant amount of resources are utilized to execute basic functions, such as prisoner transports and responding to 911 calls within the Public Safety Building. Many of these calls are a direct result of the facilities’ condition and design.
Among many concerns about the deteriorating Public Safety Building is the exposure between victims, family members, visitors, and in-custody defendants. Such exposure creates a constant air of tension, and in 2024 alone, led to 852 security incidents that required a response by the Sheriff’s Office. Also in 2024, MCSO performed 6,300 transports of defendants through public hallways. We estimate that a new facility would reduce the amount of transports by 80% and significantly reduce calls for service – both of which allow resources to be reallocated to proactive policing. It is not sustainable to continue working in this way, and not fair to those who come in contact with our justice system.
In order to address significant safety concerns and preserve the continuity of court operations, funding from the State of Wisconsin will be critical. I am pleased that the Governor’s capital budget recommended funding to address the deteriorating Public Safety Building, as well as Highway Patrol services, which Milwaukee County is uniquely mandated to provide. I look forward to partnering with the Wisconsin Legislature to advance these goals that will benefit our entire state.”
More information on the Investing In Justice: Courthouse Complex effort is available HERE.
