Gov. Tony Evers ordered the Legislature to meet in special session to consider a package of bills he says are designed to increase police accountability.
Evers signed Executive Order #84 on Monday which requires the State Senate and Assembly to convene and take up a set of bills outlined in the order. The session is scheduled to begin at noon on Aug. 31.
"Today I am calling for a Special Session of the Legislature to take up the package of legislation we announced earlier this year," Evers said. "We must begin the long but important path toward ensuring our state and our country start to live up to our promises of equity and justice."
Evers first implored the Legislature to take up the package of bills June 19 in the wake of George Floyd's death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.
The renewed call—and accompanying order—came a day after Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, which prompted widespread protests.
"We know we cannot remedy the systemic racism built into all of our systems with just this package of bills, but that does not mean we should stand still," Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said. "For over two months, our legislative leaders have ignored the calls for change from people in every part of our state, and now another Black man is fighting for his life due to the actions of law enforcement."
Below are descriptions from the governor's office as to what each of the bills in the package would change:
To read more go to WKOW: https://wkow.com/2020/08/24/evers-orders-legislature-convene-special-session-on-police-accountability/