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(The Center Square) – Gov. Tony Evers covered a lot of ground during his fourth State of the State, ranging from such topics as farm aid to the internet to tourism.

But Republican lawmakers say the governor ignored two of Wisconsin’s most pressing issues: crime and election reform.

“While crime is skyrocketing across the state, [Gov. Evers] has no plans to make us feel safer in our homes,” Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said after Tuesday night’s speech. “He lamented his inability to accomplish ’justice reform,’ another way of lamenting that Wisconsin isn’t more like Illinois, California and New York. The solution isn’t weaker criminal penalties, defunding the police, prosecuting fewer crimes, or eliminating cash bail.”

The senator continued, noting the state's crime rate has spiked upward at 9%.

"Milwaukee just recorded a record high in homicides. And people don’t feel safe in their communities, yet Gov. Evers failed to present a plan to combat crime or even mention the subject,” Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, said. “One in five murder or attempted murder suspects in Milwaukee County was out on bond for another felony. It’s time to get tough on crime, pass meaningful bail reform, and actually support our police.”

Republican lawmakers also noted Evers failed to mention election reforms.

“The governor also failed to address the issues with our previous elections by vetoing several reforms,” Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, said.

Evers used the speech to take credit for Wisconsin’s low unemployment rate, as well as tax breaks and the state’s record budget surplus.

Republican lawmakers were quick to say that they are responsible for the tax cuts and the $4 billion surplus.

“Gov, Evers tried to take credit for a slew of Republican victories, including a massive $2 billion tax cut, record low unemployment, and the largest rainy day fund in state history,” Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said. “For four years, Governor Evers has pushed a radical-left agenda that includes more government, higher taxes, and less freedom. Republicans are committed to cutting taxes, protecting our police officers, and empowering parents to get involved in their children’s education.”

(The Center Square) – The first and last pieces of the package of crime legislation from Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol focus solely on money.

Democratic lawmakers on Monday unveiled a series of plans that they say will make the state safer.

“With the pieces of legislation that promote victim safety, and with the shared revenue enhancement that supports local units of government, we believe this package of bills would really help address crime in Wisconsin,” Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee told reporters at the Capitol.

Goyke says the package of legislation comes with a roughly $100 million price tag.

The largest piece would increase state aid to cities and counties, the so-called shared revenue.

“One of the bills in this package would increase shared revenue by 2% in the first year of the biennium, and 2% in the next year. A roughly $30 million increase in shared revenue over two years, and that’s just the beginning,” Goyke explained.

The Democratic crime package also includes a series of new grants through the state’s Department of Justice. Those grants would largely focus on victim services and monitoring people who are out on bail.

The Democrats also want to focus on domestic violence.

One plan would institute new reporting requirements for domestic violence suspects who are banned from having a gun, while another would spend more on the state’s Safe at Home program.

“This provides substitute addresses and mail forwarding services for victims of various forms of abuse,” Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, said.

None of the Democratic plans touched on Milwaukee’s record-breaking homicide numbers in 2021. The lawmakers were also silent on the effort to change Wisconsin’s bail system to keep people like the Waukesha Christmas parade suspect behind bars and away from being able to commit new crimes.

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are planning on voting-out their package of crime legislation on Tuesday.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has decided to run for a third term in the U.S. Senate.

Johnson answered the state’s great unanswered question in the state with an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

"Much as I'd like to ease into a quiet retirement, I don't feel I should,” Johnson wrote.

His announcement ends months of speculation. It also starts a new round of political questions.

The first is what will Kevin Nicholson do?

Nicholson, a longtime candidate and the head of the No Better Friend Corp., was waiting for Johnson to make a decision so he could make his.

“It's no secret that I'm considering a run for Governor. It is time for new leadership in Wisconsin. We deserve a Governor who shares our values, works for our kids, stands up for law enforcement, defends life, and secures our elections,” Nicholson said on Twitter on Sunday. “I do believe I have a role to play in setting the course for a better future for all of us. Over the coming days my family, friends, and I will continue to pray for wisdom for our next steps.”

The Republican frontrunner in the governor’s race, Rebecca Kleefisch, took to Twitter as well on Sunday, but didn’t mention a possible primary fight against Nicholson.

“Run, [Ron Johnson], run! Now more than ever we need strong conservative leaders who are willing to stand up to Joe Biden and the Left,” Kleefisch said in a tweet.

It’s not just the Republicans who are looking at the ripple effect of Johnson’s decision.

A third Johnson run for the U.S. Senate means whoever wins the crowded Democratic primary will face a well-financed incumbent candidate in November.

Democratic Senate frontrunner, and current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, previewed the strategy against Johnson in his statement on Sunday.

“The only people celebrating Ron Johnson’s announcement are his donors and the corporate special interest groups he’s bailed out time and time again. Let’s get to work and retire this failed senator,” Barnes said.

Many national polls say Johnson is one of the most vulnerable Senators this fall.

Marquette Law School poll master and professor Charles Franklin said on Sunday that Johnson’s favorability rating in the last Marquette Law School poll was just 36%.

But polls show none of Johnson’s potential Democratic challengers are very popular with voters either.