I hope you all had a happy and safe New Year. I wish you all the best in 2009.
Anyone who has read the Journal Sentinel in recent months must be aware of the fact that concern over the Drunk Driving issue has reached a very high level. It is likely that the legislature will enact changes in the OWI law in the current session. Changes proposed include criminalization of first offenses and classifying third offenses as felonies. Supporters argue that the changes would bring Wisconsin in line with most of the rest of the nation and toughen our stance on drunk driving. Detractors insist that large expense in the form of new judges, prosecutors, public defenders and increased cost of incarceration are not wise while Wisconsin faces a significant budget deficit. Perhaps increasing treatment options and lowering our number of citizens with substance abuse problems would be a better way to spend our tax dollars.
