Gov. Scott Walker drew mixed responses for an initiative in his Wednesday budget that proposes to repeal existing state residency laws, which currently forbid people to hold a public job in a community where they do not live.
If the governor’s proposal passes and the rule is repealed, 127 municipalities in Wisconsin could employ out of town public staff.
Jim Palmer, executive director for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association said in a statement he fully supports the measure because it would allow law enforcement agencies to draw from a larger pool of candidates.
“This change in the law will substantially provide law enforcement agencies around the state with the flexibility they need to ensure Wisconsin’s success in remaining a safe place in which to live, work and raise a family,” Palmer said in the statement.
But state Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, said in a statement the proposal would take power from local governments by giving their previous power to determine residency laws to the state.
