State Joint Finance Committee Votes to Not Fund Office of Victim Services

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 -- 9:01 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Last week, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance voted to not fully fund the Department of Justice’s victim services budget request.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Netwokro, Office of Crime Victim Services Executive Director Shira Phelps says without adequate funding, local programs will be forced to lay off staff, reduce hours and programming, or close.

Phelps says victims would also lose crisis counseling, emergency shelter, legal help and life saving programs. Late Friday, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance approved $20 million to go towards victim services.

DOJ had requested nearly $68 million over two years. Phelps and other advocates joined Attorney General Josh Kaul for a Monday press conference.

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