MADISON, Wis. -- Republicans scratching for a way to fund Gov. Scott Walker's plan to collect DNA from suspects upon arrest may have a chance at extra dollars courtesy of Congress.
President Barack Obama signed a bipartisan bill into law last week that lays out $10 million in grants for states to start taking DNA upon arrest. It's unclear when states can apply or how much money
Wisconsin might win, but any amount would help reduce the initiative's $7.2 million price tag. The federal money also might take pressure off Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who has proposed using millions of dollars earmarked for schools, prisons, gang prevention efforts and defense attorneys to cover the effort.