As residents of Lafayette County know, they're the only county in southwest Wisconsin that does not belong to a drug task force. This needs to change. Too many of our friends and family members are suffering from the devastating effects of drug abuse. What we need is to be a part of a drug task force, an incredibly effective tool in our fight against drug abuse.
In the past, Lafayette County belonged to a drug task force, but had to drop out due to a lack of funding for a position dedicated to assist a task force. Last year, I initiated efforts to allow Lafayette County to join one of two task forces in the area, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force or the Stateline Drug Task Force (which neighboring Green County belongs to).
In order to do so however, Lafayette County must contribute a dedicated full or part-time officer to the task force. The budget provision that I authored would have allocated funding for a new position. Unfortunately, the provision was vetoed from the state budget. Since then, I've authored separate legislation (Assembly Bill 771) that is quickly making its way through the Legislature and will hopefully become law before the legislative session ends.
AB 771 will provide the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department with $70,000 over two years. The money is to be dedicated to drug law enforcement and will enable the sheriff's department to work with surrounding counties in southwest Wisconsin.
Lafayette County simply cannot be without a drug task force. Drug task forces are so instrumental in fighting the growing influx of drugs that are becoming an increasing problem to our rural areas. Without belonging to a task force or even having a dedicated officer to work on drug related issues, Lafayette County has become isolated and needs help.
One of the reasons I ran for office was to fight rural crime and drug use. We need to give our law enforcement the tools they need to fight this ongoing problem. I appreciate the help and support of Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill during the past year as I've worked on this proposal. I would also like to thank Joint Finance Committee member Sen. Howard Marklein for his help in advocating for this proposal. Together we'll fight to keep our communities safe from this horrible epidemic.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents the 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608.266.7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov
In the past, Lafayette County belonged to a drug task force, but had to drop out due to a lack of funding for a position dedicated to assist a task force. Last year, I initiated efforts to allow Lafayette County to join one of two task forces in the area, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force or the Stateline Drug Task Force (which neighboring Green County belongs to).
In order to do so however, Lafayette County must contribute a dedicated full or part-time officer to the task force. The budget provision that I authored would have allocated funding for a new position. Unfortunately, the provision was vetoed from the state budget. Since then, I've authored separate legislation (Assembly Bill 771) that is quickly making its way through the Legislature and will hopefully become law before the legislative session ends.
AB 771 will provide the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department with $70,000 over two years. The money is to be dedicated to drug law enforcement and will enable the sheriff's department to work with surrounding counties in southwest Wisconsin.
Lafayette County simply cannot be without a drug task force. Drug task forces are so instrumental in fighting the growing influx of drugs that are becoming an increasing problem to our rural areas. Without belonging to a task force or even having a dedicated officer to work on drug related issues, Lafayette County has become isolated and needs help.
One of the reasons I ran for office was to fight rural crime and drug use. We need to give our law enforcement the tools they need to fight this ongoing problem. I appreciate the help and support of Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill during the past year as I've worked on this proposal. I would also like to thank Joint Finance Committee member Sen. Howard Marklein for his help in advocating for this proposal. Together we'll fight to keep our communities safe from this horrible epidemic.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents the 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608.266.7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov
