Wisconsin Advocates Push Gun Reforms, Medicaid-Funded Mental Health
Gun violence prevention advocates in Wisconsin, including WAVE Educational Fund, Forward Latino, and INPOWER, say they see an opening to advance reforms after Democrats won control of the governor's office and both legislative chambers in November. Advocates named four priorities: red flag laws, universal background checks, increased mental health services, and sustained funding for community violence intervention programs. INPOWER co-founder Aziz Abdullah said he wants more Medicaid funding used to connect at-risk young people with mentors, therapy, and other behavioral health support. Governor-elect David Crowley, who takes office January 4, has said Wisconsin needs more mental health resources and community-based violence prevention, but his spokesperson said he is still assembling a transition team and will share his agenda after inauguration.