Here & Now

2022 AG Candidates Spar Over Expanding Prosecution Authority

Zac Schultz:

The race for Wisconsin attorney general doesn’t receive as much attention as races for governor and U.S. Senate but it should. This fall Republican Eric Toney is taking on the incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul. Toney is trying to make public safety and crime in Milwaukee a key issue.

Man:

Policies that are going to make a difference must start at the top.

Zac Schultz:

Republican Eric Toney held a press conference in Milwaukee earlier this week touting his endorsements from law enforcement and saying he would seek to expand the power of the attorney general to prosecute more crimes in Milwaukee.

Eric Toney:

If we protect Milwaukee, we will protect all of Wisconsin. That’s why I have advocated for granting our attorney general original prosecution authority here in Milwaukee so we can take on the crime that they are unable or unwilling to prosecute.

Zac Schultz:

Currently, the AG and the Department of Justice can only prosecute certain crimes, leaving the rest up to the local district attorney. The change would require the legislature to pass a law giving the AG that authority. Democrat Josh Kaul doesn’t disagree with expanded powers but says it shouldn’t be limited to one county.

Josh Kaul:

Mr. Toney seems to be targeting Milwaukee County specifically. I think the authority the attorney general has should be consistent throughout the state of Wisconsin. So it’s my view there are times when the Department of Justice should be prosecuting cases and having statewide original prosecution authority is something I’m supportive of for the Department of Justice but what we really need in our communities is resources in our communities to fight these crimes.

Zac Schultz:

Kaul says local police departments and prosecutors are underfunded because the Republican-controlled legislature hasn’t increased shared revenue in years.

Josh Kaul:

While he is now saying that, he was silent when the legislature attacked the DOJ’s budget in the lame duck session. He has been silent as the legislature has consistently declined to provide funding to support Milwaukee in particular.

Zac Schultz:

Toney says he will work with Republicans in next year’s budget but says in the meantime Democratic governor Tony Evers should take ARPA funds designed to provide COVID relief and distribute them to local police departments to fight crime.

Eric Toney:

We’ve got a budget surplus and that’s going to be an issue the legislature is going to have to address and I’m going to work with them in making sure Milwaukee has those resources but that can’t happen until next year. We need that now and the governor has the ability right now with those ARPA funds to help deploy and put money into Milwaukee to keep Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin safe.