GOP promises new bill to fund state juvenile centers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers say they’re still looking to build new state facilities to house juvenile offenders after Wisconsin’s youth prison closes.

A 2018 state law requires the prison outside Irma to close by 2021. Offenders would move to new state and county facilities.

The bill authorized $25 million in borrowing for new state facilities. Gov. Tony Evers created an additional $90 million in bonding for the centers in his state budget.

Republicans on the Legislature’s finance committee scrapped Evers’ plan Tuesday and shifted the $25 million in existing borrowing authority to the counties.

Assembly Corrections Committee Chairman Michael Schraa and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Van Wanggaard said Wednesday that they want a better handle on state costs and the counties need more money.

Wanggaard said he expects a new funding bill for state facilities in September.