Wisconsin lawmakers ignore calls for change

The reaction to complaints of police brutality and racism has been swift. People have gathered in La Crosse and around the world calling for change in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Congress is drafting legislation requiring a changing of police behavior by banning chokeholds, and making it easier to track instances of police misconduct. So what are state lawmakers in Madison doing to respond to the calls for change? Nothing. They aren’t even in session, and haven’t been since April. In fact, their schedule gives them the rest of the year off. Even with the calls to action, our state elected officials have not taken up a single piece of legislation to reduce police use of force or provide other reforms. Governor Evers has unveiled a package of legislation which would require officers to use de-escalation techniques. Officers would be required to intervene if they see their colleagues using excessive force. These are common-sense responses. But our legislative leaders are nowhere to be seen. Just like their lack of response to the pandemic, when Wisconsin was one of the last states in the nation to approve any legislation related to the coronavirus, or its economic fallout. Just what are these lawmakers doing as everyday citizens demand change? Unfortunately, so far, the answer is nothing.