Mark Born Expresses Disappointment In Stalled Protected Status Bill

(Beaver Dam) State Representative Mark Born says a bill he authored that would give protected status to county jailers will not be approved during the current legislative session. Protected status is given to state workers in high-risk professions. The bill would give county jailers benefits similar to state prison workers. That includes the ability to retire earlier and duty disability insurance, which is difficult for those in high-risk jobs to obtain in the open marketplace. The Beaver Dam Republican says the bill was held up by Senator Duey Stroebel. He says Stroebel has other bills that he focused on that would reform the state retirement system. Previous versions of the bill have faced similar fates in the legislative process. During a recent appearance on WBEV’s Community Comment, Born says this was a disappointing development. He says the bill was a top priority for the Badger Sheriff’s Association and added that the Counties Association played an integral role throughout the process. Born says the legislature will try to push the bill forward through a budget process or a committee that is more favorable in the senate when it reconvenes.