Gov. Walker's budget will likely put more focus on mental health services

MADISON (WITI) -- Gov. Scott Walker is set to unveil his 2013 budget in a speech on February 20th. In it he'll propose a way to deal with tragedies like the mass shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek. Gov. Walker says it means putting more of a focus on mental health.

Wisconsin has seen some of the nation's worst incidents of gun violence -- with recent shootings in Oak Creek and Brookfield.

"One of the common denominators was people suffering from severe, and in many cases untreated mental illness," Gov. Walker said.

Now, Gov. Walker plans to commit more money to the state's mental health services.

"Really where I got personally involved came after the things we saw in Brookfield and Oak Creek," Gov. Walker said.

Democratic state Rep. Peter Barca is calling for a bipartisan commission on violence -- one that would examine more than mental health issues.

Gov. Walker is not entertaining state-level gun control measures like the assault weapons bans discussed in New York and Illinois, but Gov. Walker says he's committed to spending an additional $30 million on mental health services and programs.

"Much more comprehensive. Certainly for those suffering mental illness, the vast majority don't even get close to something like that," Gov. Walker said.

Gov. Walker's plan would:

"Having a good comprehensive system, in this case offering a couple of our most successful programs statewide instead of in just a handful of counties. It allows us to get ahead of the curve," Gov. Walker said.

Wisconsin Democrats say the increased focus on mental health underscores the need for Gov. Walker to agree to expand BadgerCare as part of the National Health Care Law. However, Gov. Walker isn't saying whether he will do that. That answer will come on February 20th.