WHITEFISH BAY – Sandy Pasch issued the following statement today on Senator Alberta Darling's breathtaking flip flop on her own controversial provision to continue paying fired police officers. On Thursday, joined by members of the Milwaukee Democratic Legislative Caucus, Representative Pasch formally requested Governor Walker veto this waste of taxpayer dollars.
 
Senator Darling's last minute budget motion, passed under the cover of darkness, allowed fired police officers - including those suspected of very serious offenses like drunk driving, domestic abuse, even rape -- to continue to be paid until appeals are exhausted. This police pay reform has saved taxpayers nearly $300,000 over the past few years.

"It's astonishing that Sen. Darling would insert this provision into the budget in the wee hours, defend it on the Senate floor, and then try to claim she wants it vetoed from the budget," said Pasch. "It's finally dawning on Sen. Darling that she is way out of step with the values of her voters when she has a more extreme position than even the Governor.  Continuing to pay fired police officers, including those suspected of serious crimes, at taxpayer expense, is downright wrong. Only when faced with intense public outrage over such a ridiculous proposal does Sen. Darling pretend to understand that."

This spring, 30,000 people signed petitions to recall Senator Darling after she supported an extreme agenda that threatens critical priorities, hurts the middle class and divides the state.  By giving tax breaks to large corporations while cutting investments in schools, women's healthcare and SeniorCare, Darling isn't asking for shared sacrifice to overcome the shared challenges facing Wisconsin families.
 
Sandy and her husband have lived in Whitefish Bay for 25 years, where they raised three children. A practicing nurse since 1976, and an assistant professor of nursing at Columbia College of Nursing for 15 years, Sandy taught students in the fields of mental health, community health, and ethics. A relative newcomer to the State Assembly, Sandy has focused on strengthening education, improving health care and creating jobs during her three years as a state representative.