Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen writes in a letter to the JFC co-chairs that Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed budget "fails to protect law enforcement's existing ability to protect public safety and it takes dramatic steps backwards."

The Republican AG cites Doyle's proposal for early release of some prisoners and early termination of extended supervision among his concerns.

He writes that he hopes the Legislature will overturn the proposals. "While I recognize the state's current fiscal situation, now is not the time to turn away from our core priorities," says Van Hollen. "We should not balance the budget on the back of public safety, nor by passing down costs to local law enforcement, nor by imposing additional burdens on understaffed district attorneys offices."

See the letter here.

See remarks Van Hollen made today at a Waukesha press conference with law enforcement officials here.

-- By Greg Bump