| Questions 1.To what extent will people of color be appointed to decision-making positions within the Wisconsin Department of Justice? 2.The state of Wisconsin has the highest incarceration rate of African Americans in the United States. What measures can the state take to reduce this high rate, which is almost seven times the Euro-American rate? 3.What will be your top three litigation or enforcement priorities? Why? 4.African American men make up six percent of the U.S. population, yet account for 42 percent of the inmates on death row. Given this disparity, what is your position on the death penalty advisory referendum? Why? 5.What role should the Wis. Dept. of Justice and state law enforcement play in enforcing laws concerning illegal immigration? Kathleen Falk - Democratic Party 1.My record in Dane County is strong in hiring people of color in my office and county wide. As Dane County aggressively recruits and hires people of color in positions that directly support our diverse communities and build diversity in all County departments. I have made sure that positions in Dane County are specifically recruited as bi-lingual/bi-cultural -- not many places do this. I would continue this active and proactive approach to diversity as Attorney General. 2.This is a deplorable reality in Wisconsin and we must change it. In Dane County I created targeted specific programs to reduce the number of people of color in jail, including New Routes and Cool Routes. I want to take my leadership on this issue to the statewide level as Attorney General. 3. On my website, www.kathleenfalk.com, we have posted seven detailed policy papers which offer my comprehensive approach to some of the most pressing issues the next Attorney General will face: gangs; meth; child abuse and neglect; the backlog at the crime lab; ethics and campaign finance reform; the environment; and consumer protection and identify theft. I am the only candidate to offer these kinds of detailed plans. To answer your specific question, I would highlight three areas of particular concern: There is too much violence. There is an increasing amount of gang violence; the perpetrators are frequently children and the victims are frequently children. Gang members are increasingly younger and increasingly female. Sixty-one (61) people died as a result of domestic violence in 2003. We can and must do better to protect children, families and neighborhoods. I also want to provide leadership to change criminal justice policy for the nonviolent offenders who have alcohol or drug additions. As county executive I have created and funded programs like jail diversion and drug court that really work. Providing treatment is smarter on crime, smarter on tax dollars and smarter on human lives. 4. I am against the death penalty for five reasons, including the one you cite above, its disproportionate effect on people of color. In addition: evidence shows it is not a deterrent to crime; I believe it is morally wrong to take a life; Death penalty cases typically involved extensive appeals which is both expensive and would tie up Department of Justice attorneys whose time could be spent on other matters; and because our system of justice may error leaving the possibility an innocent person is executed. 5. Illegal immigration is primarily federal responsibility but as Attorney General I will cooperate with those authorities as I am asked to. In Dane County we have a policy that is supported by the Republican Sheriff, the Democratic District Attorney, and progressive and conservatives on our County Board that prohibits county employees from inquiring about the immigration status of people seeking services from the county, unless the law requires asking. It is modeled on a New York City Ordinance created after 9/11 and has received such widespread support because it enhances public safety and public health. For example, the Sheriff cannot solve or prevent some crimes if victims or witnesses fear and refuse to come forward and our public health nurses would be hindered in dealing with pandemic flu or other community health concerns if residents with questionable immigration status were afraid to cooperate with them. This ordinance is designed to help us do our jobs and provide a high level of service to Dane County residents, many of whom, regardless of their own citizenship, have children who are American citizens |
| Decision 2006: Candidate(s)* for Attorney General |
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| Editor's Note: All candidates were sent questionnaires at the same time and follow-up e-mails were sent as well. We didn't receive responses from some of the candidates as of the time we went to press. We regret we cannot share their views with you. |
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