Universal Changing Stations 
On Tuesday, I introduced, with co-authors Rep. Anderson, Rep. Brostoff, & Sen. Smith, “Universal Changing Stations” legislation, that would install adult sized changing stations in certain buildings and create a tax credit for small businesses to install these stations.
At one of our first in-district meetings with constituents, a Brookfield mother shared her concerns about lack of changing tables in public places for adults with disabilities. She shared that her son has been unable to go to basketball games, museums, and airports because, at age 19, he has to be changed on the floor of public restrooms or in the back of their van. We have a population of people in need who are going unseen and are unable to participate in society. Since the buildings don't work for the people, the people aren't going to the buildings.
If we want families to live, work, visit, and stay in Wisconsin, we have to make sure that our state is accessible to everyone. Everyone deserves the same access to public spaces, and bathroom use should not prevent someone from enjoying and participating in our communities and our society. I am excited to help make Wisconsin a more accessible state.
Read my full press release here. Read the bill here.
We are seeking your stories. Tell us what the bill would mean, or would have meant, to your family.
Email us at: Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov. Thank you!
Taxes
Voucher School Tax Transparency
Homeowners across the district will start receiving their property tax bills this month. Earlier this year, I co-authored Assembly Bill 299, which would allow homeowners to see the impact of private voucher schools on their property tax bill. Right now, taxpayers don't know what they are paying for the voucher school program -- it is a hidden tax.
In the 14th Assembly District, taxpayers are paying $941,678 towards the voucher school program. Elmbrook Schools is losing $255,234 to the voucher school program, the Wauwatosa School District is losing $324,502 to the voucher school program, and Milwaukee Public Schools is losing $42,585,600.
Here is an example of what a Wauwatosa resident would see on their property tax bill if Assembly Bill 299 were enacted. It shows, on the bottom left corner, as an addition to the typical tax bill, that $324,502 of your tax dollars is being diverted to voucher schools in that year.
Its important that taxpayers know where their dollars are going, and how much it is costing them. This transparency is essential to a fair tax system. I am fighting for transparency for taxpayers.
Dark Store Loophole
The "Dark Store Loophole" allows retailers to have their stores assessed, and taxed, as if their stores were empty or "dark", meaning they pay a lower tax bill.
Homeowners and small businesses carry the burden that this loophole leaves behind. Local governments have to pay exorbitant legal fees to fight this tax loophole when retailers take advantage of it, which takes money away from crucial public services like fire and police, roads, and schools.
It's time for the legislature to close the loophole and take the burden off of responsible homeowners and small businesses. The tax must be shifted back to those who should be paying it, and those who can afford to pay it -- big box retailers.
Recent Community Events
On Monday, I attended a roundtable discussion at UW-Milwaukee hosted by my colleagues Rep. Crowley, Rep. Bowen, and Sen. Taylor about "disrupting disparities" and what can be done to reduce the prevalent racial disparities in Wisconsin.
Children & Families Committee
The legislature is still hard at work! Children & Families Committee met on Wednesday to hear a bill (I’m a co-sponsor) paving the way for the federal Family First rollout in Wisconsin 2021. Confirmed today that passing this bill, and passing it quickly this winter/ by spring is crucial to get the inner workings in place for October 2021.
We will continue to share more information to the implementation of Family First in Wisconsin.
What is "Family First"?
Informational Town Hall in January!
Our next Topical Town Hall will be on Human Trafficking. We are looking to schedule it the last week of January, so keep an eye out for more information about this informational town hall.
Assembly Democrats Podcast
