Legislative Maps Comparison

I would like to take a few moments to explain the process behind the state Legislature recently approving the new redistricting maps.

I am a co-sponsor of a bill introduced this session that would create a nonpartisan redistricting model similar to what has been done in Iowa. That legislation has not been passed, just like it wasn’t in 2010 when Democrats controlled both the legislative and executive branches.

Even so, we are so late in the process right now that the nonpartisan model could not be implemented until after the 2030 census.

Therefore, my only options were to support the maps drawn by the Legislature or those drawn by the governor’s so-called “People’s Maps Commission.”

Although they are not perfect, I support our maps because they are much more consistent with the traditional and legal framework that guides redistricting. They also do an acceptable job of keeping communities of interest intact.

The commission’s maps, which were heavily influenced by outside interest groups such as Obama Attorney General Eric Holder, are so gerrymandered to gain an advantage for Democrats that they reduce the number of Black Assembly districts from six to two and eliminate one of the two Black Senate districts.

Those maps also split up 95 municipalities. Over the past three decades, the average number of splits has ranged from 50 to 72. This is the most important measure of the fairness of maps.

Due to population changes, some Wisconsin voters are always temporarily disenfranchised in state Senate elections because they do not get to cast a ballot for a state senator for six years. The governor’s maps disenfranchise close to 535,000 residents, while the Legislature’s maps disenfranchise approximately 139,000.

For these reasons, 17 Democratic members of the Assembly joined us in voting down the commission’s maps. That is almost half of the Assembly’s Democratic Caucus.

Because the governor has vetoed the maps passed by the Legislature, it will be up to the courts to decide which are more fair. I believe the courts will reach the same conclusion that I have and support the Legislature’s maps.

Law Enforcement Roundtable

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a roundtable discussion with law enforcement officials from across the northeast region of our state.

The meeting was coordinated by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher and hosted by Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski.

One of the main topics we talked about was the difficulties that law enforcement agencies are having in recruiting new employees. The events over the past year and a half have obviously added to those struggles.

If you or anyone you know is interested in a career in law enforcement, please contact your local police department or sheriff’s office to get more information.

As part of the meeting, we also discussed the issues that law enforcement agencies are facing in our neighborhoods, including drug abuse and human trafficking. It is vital that we work closely with those in law enforcement as we craft legislation to combat these challenges.

Rep. Gallagher is planning to hold additional roundtable discussions in the future and I look forward to attending them so I have the information that is needed to help make our communities safer for everyone.

Wisconsin Blue Books

I would like to remind everyone that my office still has plenty of Wisconsin Blue Books available at no charge.

 Published every two years, the Blue Book is full of Wisconsin history, as well as current information on legislators, state offices and various government agencies.

If you would like a free copy, please contact my office and we will be sure to get you one.