Bill Would Require Minority Impact Statement On Crime Bills

A new bill would require legislation about crimes to calculate the potential difference in impact on racial minorities.

State Sen. Nikiya Harris is co-sponsoring legislation calling for the minority impact statement. The Milwaukee Democrat said she’s tired of Wisconsin being No. 1 in the percentage of working age African-American men behind bars.

“One out of every eight black males is currently incarcerated,” Harris said. “One in eight! We should be ashamed.”

The bill would require the racial impact statement for every state legislation that would create a new crime, modify an existing crime, or change the penalty for a crime. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee social welfare Dean Stan Stojkovic consulted on the bill. He said a committee could study racial differences for current crimes.

“Arrest is the biggest point, so if there’s any change, any (thing) disparate or discriminatory — those are not the same terms! — what we’re finding is that it occurs largely at the point of arrest,” Stojkovic said.

Stojkovic said other key decision points are criminal charging, prosecution, conviction and sentencing.

The Rev. Willie Briscoe heads Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope. He urges supporters of the impact statement bill to stay strong.

“When you’re attacked for upsetting the apple cart or the status quo, let it be known that you are right where God wants you to be,” Briscoe said.

A spokesperson for Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Fitzgerald hasn’t seen the bill. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn plan a news conference Thursday on preventing crime in Milwaukee.