Alan J. Borsuk – Page 111 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Chisholm: Revise Truth-in-Sentencing, Support “Smart” Use of Alternatives to Hold Down Costs and Fight Crime

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:February 11, 2011
Post category:Criminal Law & Process Public Speakers at Marquette Uncategorized Wisconsin Criminal Law & Process

Crime can continue to go down in Milwaukee and spending on criminal justice can be controlled successfully, but only if steps are taken to give local judges, prosecutors, police and others involved in criminal justice tools, incentives and support in doing so, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said in a speech Friday at Marquette University Law School.

In what he described as a major policy statement, Chisholm called for modifying the state’s truth-in-sentencing law and maintaining support of programs that assess the risks and needs of people charged with crimes so that fewer end up in prison and more end up on paths that lead away from re-offending.

“Both sides of the political spectrum must acknowledge that talking tough on crime has reached its limits,” Chisholm said. “Being smart on crime is the solution.”

(The text of Chisholm’s comments can be read here and a video of his speech and a question and answer session following it can be viewed here.)

Chisholm said such “smarter” efforts are paying off in Milwaukee, but are in danger of being undermined by major cuts in federal anti-crime programs and in state aid to criminal justice work.

WEAC and MTEA: This Is War (I Expect)

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:February 9, 2011
Post category:Education & Law Milwaukee Public Schools

The decision by the state’s largest teachers organization, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), to alter its stands on teacher evaluation and advocate breaking from the traditional method of paying teachers was not such a huge surprise for those who had been following statements from union leaders in recent months. The educational and political landscapes have changed, and the union wants to play a role in big decisions coming soon.

But the WEAC stand in favor of breaking up Milwaukee Public Schools into “smaller, more manageable districts” caught people (count me in) off guard. It’s just not something to which the union had shown previous inclination. And the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, WEAC’s largest affiliate, strongly opposes such ideas.

There were clear indications in the way things happened this week that the gap between leaders of WEAC and the MTEA is now wide and sharp, and communication among them is not friendly.

Paul Ryan: Amiable Style, Heavy Content

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:February 4, 2011
Post category:Political Processes & Rhetoric Speakers at Marquette

He wore a sweater and showed off the heavy boots he was wearing because, in the aftermath of the snow storm, this wasn’t “a wingtips day.”

He paused in mid conversation to plop a mint his mouth because “if I’m ever in the neighborhood, I always go to Real Chili.”

He poked fun at himself for being nervous when the cameras went on for his nationally-televised response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech last week.

He shrugged off talk of his political future. “When I look in the mirror, I see a broken nose and a widow’s peak. I don’t see a future president.”

But, during Rep. Paul Ryan’s “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” visit Thursday to Marquette University Law School, there was no mistaking that the Republican from Janesville regards himself as a key player in making the most crucial decisions the United States faces.