Van Hollen wants millions from agencies for DOJ

AG: Surcharge revenue meant for DOJ

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Justice Department wants to shift millions of dollars from schools, prisons, gang diversion programs and public defenders to pay for collecting DNA upon arrest and fund services for sexual assault victims.

The department asked Gov. Scott Walker to shift nearly $10 million in criminal surcharges to the department in his next two-year budget, which will be introduced early next year.

The move would mean the Department of Public Instruction would lose $3.7 million for alcohol and other drug abuse programs. Prisons would lose $4.1 million for guard training. The Office of Justice Assistance would lose $1.7 million for youth gang diversion programs. Public defenders would lose $253,800 for training.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen tells The Associated Press the surcharge revenue is meant to fund DOJ programs.