​​​​

June 23, 2025 – Wisconsin lawmakers continue to deliberate on the 2025-2027 biennial budget. On June 17, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to recommend critical funding for Wisconsin’s criminal justice system. Proposed items supported by the State Bar’s Board of Governors include:

• Funding for a one step increase in the salary structure for the upcoming fiscal years for Assistant District and Deputy District Attorneys and State Public Defenders.
• Adding 42 new General Purpose Revenue (GPR) Assistant District Attorney positions anticipated to start on October 1, 2025.
• Providing needed updates to the District Attorney Information Technology program.
• Adding 12.5 new GPR support positions for the State Public Defender’s office to address workload issues.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s elected leadership, including Ryan M. Billings, President; Dan Gartzke, President-Elect, and Past President Dean R. Dietrich responded with a statement saying that “the State Bar appreciates the support for funding increases to address a critical and ongoing need to recruit and retain experienced prosecutors and defenders. The State Bar will continue to be engaged and involved in finding solutions that support our justice system. Attracting and retaining the dedicated professionals that work every day to provide a fair and equitable legal system for all remains a high priority.”

Like much of the budget votes and deliberations, there were differences between the Republican majority’s motion that moved forward and the minority Democrats, who offered their own funding motion that did not proceed. Democratic members sought to convert temporary ADA positions, originally created using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, to permanent ones using state GPR money. The motion would have also funded more State Public Defender staff and raised the private bar rate for violent felony cases to $125. Both parties’ motions supported pay progression, which facilitates recruitment and retention for Assistant District Attorneys and State Public Defender staff in a very competitive job market.

The JFC was poised to vote on funding for civil legal aid on June 19, along with many other budget items, but that hearing was postponed. The State Bar continues to advocate for increased state funding and there is still time to contact your legislators and ask them to increase funding for civil legal aid in this budget.  However, members should act fast as the topic could come up for a vote again at any time over the next few days or weeks.

Finally, the State Bar continues to support funding for Judicial Council. Despite playing a unique and important role for Wisconsin’s courts, the Judicial Council has remained in an unfunded limbo since 2017. While the council continues to hold meetings and conduct business, without the support of a staff attorney, it functions at a level incapable of fully fulfilling its mission and purpose. The State Bar supports the Judicial Council’s funding requests so that it can continue to carry out the tasks it was created to do.

What You Can Do: State Bar of Wisconsin Advocacy Network

State Bar members are encouraged to send a message to their lawmakers expressing support on legislative topics which positively affect the legal system using the Advocacy Network. Pre-written email messages are editable to suit your own thoughts and opinions and help to demonstrate the breadth of support for policies that prioritize access to justice. You can also "Choose Your Own" to craft messages to any of your elected officials, from President of the United States down to your local municipal officials.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Rotunda Report newsletter and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) to stay informed and get involved in the legislative process.