MADISON — On Nov. 30, Representative Clinton Anderson, along with a broad coalition of legislators, introduced the “Our Communities, Our Values — Restoring Local Control” bill package. This package contains 15 bills aimed at giving more autonomy to local communities. Anderson represents the 45th Assembly District, which covers parts of Rock and Green counties, from Beloit to the eastern edge of Monroe.

This includes items such as allowing 3-year extensions to TIFs for affordable housing, the repeal of the expenditure restraint program and replacing it with a new aid program, and allowing school districts to go over their levy limits when the state legislature approves unfunded mandates.

 “I proudly serve three cities, three villages, 15 townships, and 13 school districts,” said Rep. Anderson. “They are all different and need flexibility to address their unique needs. Local elected officials know their communities better than anyone else. That is why today I introduced a 15 bill package aimed at restoring autonomy to local communities.”

Bipartisan Bill Would Create Grant Pilot Program for Small Law Enforcement Agency Training

Representatives Bob Donovan and Clinton Anderson, along with Senators Jesse James and Brad Pfaff, recently introduced LRB-5222. The bill creates a pilot program providing grants to small law enforcement agencies that would cover labor costs and unreimbursed training costs associated with sending officers to the academy and 6 months of on the job training. 

This bipartisan effort would address staffing shortages affecting small police departments statewide. This bill has the backing of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, and the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association. 

 “One of the first things I heard when running for Assembly was how smaller and rural law enforcement agencies struggle to maintain proper staffing levels,” said Rep. Anderson. “By creating this pilot program, small law enforcement agencies will be able to afford officers’ salaries while attending the academy and during on the job training. This bipartisan bill is a great step in ensuring smaller departments can recruit, train, and retain officers.”