H 23°, L 4° | Tomorrow: 
H 21°, L 6°Every once in a while, something beautiful occurs in politics: a government program is introduced that not only enhances public welfare but also saves taxpayer dollars. A Dane County ordinance introduced last week, which would exempt poor inmates on work release programs from paying for security ankle bracelets, is exactly one of those occurrences.
The ordinance � introduced by Dane County Supervisor Ashok Kumar, District 5 � would exempt misdemeanants on work release from paying for the cost of the bracelet program if they earn an income below the federal poverty line, currently set at $867 a month. With the cost of the program estimated at $600 a month, it is unreasonable to expect an inmate to give a possible three out of every four dollars from his paycheck in order to participate in the program. Such a staggering demand would inhibit many of the rehabilitative advances the program aims to generate in the first place.
Most importantly, the ordinance saves the county money. By putting the same number of inmates on work release as would otherwise be contracted out to surrounding county jails � at a cost nearly double that of the ankle bracelet program � the county will increase rehabilitative efforts in a fiscally responsible manner.
Accordingly, we fail to see why the program should not also be provided free of cost to those inmates who fall above the poverty line. To do otherwise would amount to levying a punitive cost with the only apparent rationale being that these inmates are not poor.
While we routinely disagree with Mr. Kumar�s ideologies � and especially the abrasive and counterproductive manner in which he often conveys them � we applaud him for this sensible proposal, and we hope it garners support from all parties.
Of course, it is important this program only remain in place as long as it is cost-effective for the county. While the goal of rehabilitation is a noble one, it would not outweigh a significant cost increase that could arise if the crime rate in Dane County were to drop below a certain threshold. Criminals are criminals, and if the ankle bracelet program ceases to be cost-effective, it is reasonable to expect some restitution to the taxpayer in exchange for the increased freedom of an inmate.
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Whoa! oh my god. Mark it down in your calendar folks this is a definite first. For the dozens of actions, policies, and campaigns Kumar pushed in the last 4 years and some change this is the first time the BH has had something nice to say. Maybe they’re throwing him a bone after shameless beating perpetuating attacking him from a far right vantage point.
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There will undoubtably be a bunch of comments on this board from a handful of campus conservatives. Its so pathetic how jealous these resume padding hacks can be when it comes to Ashok Kumar. Its like these have this disease. No doubt they will accuse every progressive comment on this board as the work of a handful of shady radicals from campus. Well done Herald, maybe you all are finally waking up!
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Great editorial on a solid policy that benefits people who need it the most. We need more legislation that actual fights the racist criminal justice system. I am ashamed at Dane County and Wisconsin’s disgusting record on black incarceration rates. This will definitely help hundreds of poor inmates and those of color to have access to these programs and better their lives.
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2:47/2:51 are obviously the same person.
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Go ashok! Think of how much he has accomplished without the MIGHTY support of the Badger Herald, and then just imagine, for a moment, the enormous possibilities of these two forces combined…
What’s that? Hell is thawing? Ok, nevermind.
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“To do otherwise would amount to levying a punitive cost with the only apparent rationale being that these inmates are not poor.”
Sorta like the income tax? Property taxes too I guess.
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Umm… 10:22 was quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve read. How is income tax a punitive cost on the poor? Most people who are making next to nothing are exempt. We have a progressive income tax. Income tax and corporate tax are the most progressive forms of taxes in this country unlike fees to inmates which are some of the most regressive. Great policy!
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Kumar must be doing something wrong if the Badger Herald is being nice to him. I knew he would sell out.
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“and especially the abrasive and counterproductive manner in which he often conveys them” How has he been counterproductive? His passionate approach has brought victory upon victory for those who he has worked on behalf of. Sorry BH but we can’t all make social change by pushing paper at a desk like you guys. Counterproductive? BH, in classic Fox-news style, makes an accusation without backing it up by substantive facts. Sure, Kumar can be abrasive sometimes, but its only when its most strategic.