A Wisconsin state senator came under fire for comments made during a debate, in which she condemned the suburbs regarding crime spilling over from the city.
During a debate on the Senate floor regarding a proposed budget, Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-W.I.) decided to use some powerful language, Associated Press reporter Scott Bauer tweeted of the incident. The proposed budget would reduce income taxes by $3.5 billion, increase funding towards K-12 public and private schools, and increase pay for public defenders, prison workers, and prosecutors, the Associated Press reported.
Wisconsin Democratic state @StateSenLaTonya uses the f-word at the conclusion of a floor speech detailing crime in Milwaukee and concerns about it spreading from the city to the suburbs:
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) June 28, 2023
“F— the suburbs because they don't know a goddamn thing about how life is in the city.”
“F**k the suburbs because they don’t know a goddamn thing about how life is in the city,” Johnson could be heard saying.
Prior to cursing, Johnson had started her speech by talking about children who had been killed as a result of gun violence, and even blamed people from the suburbs for bringing guns into the city, the Daily Wire reported.
Johnson said that in 2021, 841 guns were stolen from vehicles in Milwaukee. “Gun thefts from vehicles alone-we’re talking about your Park N’ Rides, we’re talking about the malls, we’re talking about gun thefts from people who are living comfortably in the suburbs and deciding to bring their guns into Milwaukee because they want to be safe but then realizing that they can’t take them into certain places,” said Johnson during her speech.
Wisconsin State Senator LaTonya Johnson says “fuck the suburbs” on the senate floor during a debate on crime spilling from cities to suburbs.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 29, 2023
pic.twitter.com/YvlJy57uda
Johnson’s comments were met with criticism.
One Twitter user remarked on how “F**k the Suburbs” was a “truly remarkable messaging,” especially as lawmakers across the country are preparing to head into a presidential election year.
“Unfortunately this is the mentality that the Democrat Party of Wisconsin has,” the user wrote. “If you’re not Madison or Milwaukee, you don’t matter.”
“Fuck the Suburbs” is truly remarkable messaging headed into a presidential year, but unfortunately this is the mentality that the Democrat Party of Wisconsin has.
— Brooks (@EBrooksUncut) June 29, 2023
If you’re not Madison or Milwaukee, you don’t matter https://t.co/0tQcbhZabl
Wisconsin state Rep. and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) pointed out “elected officials say dumb things occasionally” and that in those instances, “apologies are appropriate.”
Elected officials say dumb things occasionally and when that happens, apologies are appropriate. @StateSenLaTonya https://t.co/ekvZs6X4X9
— Robin Vos (@repvos) June 29, 2023
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) pointed out in a tweet that “many of” the people who no longer live in the city, left due to “years of liberal policies.”
These policies, “led to public safety problems, failing schools, rising taxes, and occasionally outright corruption,” said Walker.
So many of people who left the city did so because of years of liberal policies that led to public safety problems, failing schools, rising taxes, and occasionally outright corruption. https://t.co/AiIVj8HQYm
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 29, 2023
Steve Schuster, the managing editor of the Wisconsin Law Journal, expressed his view that Johnson should “resign from office” after her remarks.
In an editorial article, Schuster wrote, “Wisconsin deserves elected officials who work together for the greater good of everyone and do so with civility and respect.”
Schuster detailed in his article how suburban areas such as Wauwatosa, Shorewood, and St. Francis have been “dealing with crime” stemming out from the city of Milwaukee.
https://twitter.com/journoschu/status/1674425391711404034
“In my opinion, State Sen. LaTonya Johnson is not fit for office and Wisconsin deserves someone who loves Wisconsin-all of Wisconsin- rural, urban and suburban,” wrote Schuster.