OPINION & EDITORIAL
AG must promote Wisconsin interests
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by Guest Columnist
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Families across Wisconsin face real problems, and we need an attorney general who has the values, experience and vision to solve them. As your next attorney general, I'll get the job done.
I spent my life protecting our children, communities, environment and most fundamental rights.
Thirty years ago I argued my first case in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, taking on special interests. I won that case and many more. I spent 20 years fighting for citizens across the state. I know how we are the same from Superior to Kenosha, and how we are different.
For 14 years I served as assistant attorney general — 14 years longer than my opponent. I know what the Department of Justice can, and is supposed to, do.
For the past 10 years I served as county executive, managing a budget five times larger than that of the Department of Justice. I prioritized public safety, adding 85 deputies, increasing the sheriff's budget from $30 million to $56 million annually, and cracking down on gangs and those who hurt our seniors and children. I've added resources to the district attorney's office to target white-collar crime, prosecute domestic violence and provide crime victim services.
Being attorney general requires both lawyer experience and the skills to run a state agency and set priorities. I have more experience, broader experience and tougher experience than my opponent.
J.B. Van Hollen is running for the wrong office and embellishing his résumé to get the job. As Bayfield DA, my opponent plea-bargained or dismissed 69 percent of the felony charges, and as U.S. attorney he had one of the poorest prosecution rates in the country.
His poor record does not qualify him to be attorney general.
In my campaign, I outlined a comprehensive approach to being tough and smart on crime. That is why prosecutors, law enforcement officials and organizations across the state support me.
Gang violence is on the rise. To protect our communities I will use currently untapped laws — organized crime statutes — to prosecute gang members and put them behind bars. I offer real solutions because I have worked on gang prevention at the local level.
My plan, with Governor Doyle, would reduce the crime lab backlog by adding 15 new
DNA technicians and analysts, working with local government to triage cases and prioritizing homicide and sexual assault cases with no known suspect to get dangerous criminals off our streets.
I will work to bring federal dollars into western and northwestern Wisconsin to fight the importation of methamphetamines. By utilizing this federal designation we can get additional dollars to an area that is experiencing an explosion of meth.
I will fight to protect consumers from fraud and ID theft. With the creation of my
Consumer Protection Offender Registry, we will be able to protect ourselves from fraud and those who seek to steal our identity.
Like many of you, I hunt, fish and have a passion for our outdoors. I will take on the
Bush Administration to protect our environment, as I have my entire life. My opponent was handpicked by George Bush and won't stand up to the Bush Administration when it comes to protecting our clean air and water.
We can have the Wisconsin that we grew up in — a state that embraces diversity, protects children and seniors, respects working families and preserves our natural resources. As your attorney general I'll get the job done.
Please visit my website at Kathleenfalk.com. I ask for your vote Nov. 7.
Kathleen Falk is the Dane County Executive. She is also running for attorney general this fall.
Anonymous (November 1, 2006 @ 7:39am):
Yes, we get it, Van Hollen is a douche. The Badger Herald endorsed you yesterday.
