Politics & Government

Larson Calls For Veto Of Police-Pay Provision

Oak Creek's state senator says mandate is unfair to Milwaukee taxpayers.

Count Democratic state Sen. Chris Larson among the opponents of a state budget provision relating to pay for fired Milwaukee police officers.

In a letter to Gov. Scott Walker yesterday, Larson and fellow Sens. Lena Taylor and Tim Carpenter asked the governor to veto the provision, which allows for most fired Milwaukee officers to continue receiving salary and benefits until their appeals are exhausted.

The senators said $4.5 million in Milwaukee taxpayer money went to fired officers the last time the mandate was in place. It ended in 2009, which,Β according to a recent Journal Sentinel story, has saved taxpayers about $283,000.

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"The hardworking people of the city of Milwaukee don't want their tax dollars wasted with this mandate," the senators said. "Please veto this provision."

Proponents of the measure, meanwhile, say officers deserve to be paid until they are proven guilty. Click here for more on the issue.

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