Van Hollen: "I will not ignore the Constitution"
When J.B. took office he promised to uphold the Constitution without regard to his own personal beliefs. Just as other AG’s have done in past cases, J.B. declined to represent the state in the domestic partnership case that conflicts with the voter approved marriage amendment. The difference in this case is that J.B. got it right by defending the voter’s wishes.
Here is part of J.B.’s statement:
“My decision isn’t based on a policy disagreement. As Attorney General, I prosecute and defend laws that I wouldn’t have voted for if I were a policymaker. That is what I believe the job entails. But I will not ignore the Constitution. My oath isn’t to the legislature or the governor. My duty is to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the highest expression of their will — the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. When the people have spoken by amending our Constitution, I will abide by their command. When policymakers have ignored their words, I will not."
Click here to read the Beloit Daily News editorial that says, “Van Hollen is right.”
J.B. Opposes Measure to Let Felons Vote: Cites Fraud
Since taking office J.B. has made restoring integrity to the ballot box a top priority at the Department of Justice. This past week J.B. urged a legislative committee to kill a bill that would allow felons who have not even completed their sentences to get their voting rights restored.
In J.B.’s written testimony he cited concerns that the proposal would result in voter fraud and send the wrong message to convicted criminals.
Click here to read the story and view JB’s written testimony.
J.B.'s Leadership Gets Results at the Crime Labs
Under J.B.’s leadership the State Crime Labs continue to not only diminish the backlog from previous administrations but they are helping law enforcement solve decade old cold cases. Thanks to J.B.’s efforts the department secured a $500,000 federal grant to solve cold case crimes.
As a result of the cold case grant and good investigative work, law enforcement has been making arrests in several high profile cases including a 1980 double murder in Jefferson County , 1976 murder in Brown County, 1999 murder in Germantown and several more cases. Click here to read the Journal Sentinel story that details the advancements at the Crime Lab.
AG Van Hollen News from Around the State
(Click on links for the full story)
· DOJ Seeks to Commit Dane County Man Under the State's Sexual Predator Law
· Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Child Porn
· DOJ: Teams Up with FBI on Menominee Indian Reservation Drug Bust
· Wisconsin Gets Share of Settlement in Faulty Med Kits Case
Join Team Van Hollen
J.B. is ramping up his efforts to create a grassroots network across Wisconsin’s 72 counties and he needs your help.
To find out more information about how you can help out J.B., log on to the homepage of www.VanHollenforAG.com. Our Campaign Action Center will allow you to e-mail your friends about J.B., write letters to the editor, attend J.B.’s next event, and much more.
You can also help J.B. get out his message of fighting crime and restoring integrity at the Department of Justice by signing up to volunteer or making a secure online donation.