(WFRV) – The Joint Committee on Finance announced that a proposal supported by a trio of Green Bay area lawmakers includes a decommissioning date for the Green Bay Correctional Institution.
The proposal’s language mandates its decommissioning by the end of the 2029 calendar year, with the hope that the state will act promptly to implement closure plans.
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The proposal is supported by State Representatives Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) and David Steffen (R-Howard) as well as State Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto).
Rep. Franklin commended the Joint Committee for their efforts and ‘tremendous leap’ towards closure in a release.
“Formalizing a decommissioning date into state law will ensure decisive action is taken to solve this longstanding issue and prevent the bureaucratic delays which have plagued this situation for far too long,” Rep. Franklin said.
Rep. Steffen called the facility unsafe, unstable and unsustainable, citing the time that it has taken to push for closures of the prison.
“While it has taken nearly a decade, I’m incredibly thankful we are moving forward now on closing the prison,” Rep. Steffen said in a release.
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The proposal is included in the state’s budget, which will be reviewed by both the Wisconsin House and Senate before being sent to Governor Tony Evers’ desk for potential signature.
“I look forward to continuing the important work of protecting public safety in our communities across the region,” Sen. Wimberger said.
