Republicans in the Senate and Assembly are introducing legislation that would target areas of mental health, substance abuse, and family crisis.
MADISON (WKOW) — Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly are introducing legislation that would target areas of mental health, substance abuse and family crisis.
The bill aims to develop regional crisis centers throughout the state, implementing Wisconsin’s “Crisis Now” model.
The Department of Health Services would provide certifications for those centers, and people would have 24/7 access.
Republican Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) criticized the current process for treating mental health crises.
“It is a terrible process on so many different fronts. Number one, it’s bad for the person in crisis, and it’s not the best way to treat somebody who’s had a mental health crisis, put them in back of a squad car for a three-and-a-half hour trip,” he said. “Secondly, the demands in our law enforcement is significant. The current process is flawed.
As lawmakers focus on mental health, a move by the Joint Committee on Employment Relations has left many UW employees concerned about critical pay raises the committee chose not to approve.
This is part of continued efforts by the state’s Republican-led Legislature to pressure the Universities of Wisconsin to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across campuses.
Yesterday, Gov. Tony Evers announced he filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to intervene. Evers argued the committee’s decision to withhold pay raises was unconstitutional.
Gov. Tony Evers sues Republican Lawmakers for unlawfully blocking UW System raises: UW officials say political disagreements on DEI should end
When asked during a press conference Wednesday his thoughts on the committee’s actions to deny those pay raises, Marklein refused to comment.