The Goyke Report


March 11, 2014
 

 Contact Me  

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

PH: (608) 266-0645
TF: (888) 534-0018
FAX: (608) 282-3618

E-Mail: Rep.Goyke@legis.wi.gov
On the Web: goyke.assembly.wi.gov

 

   In The District  

Rep. Goyke meeting with constituents and members of the Tobacco Free Alliance

Late last year I met with Governor Walker to discuss two proposals that I feel would greatly benefit the district and the City of Milwaukee. The first is an expansion of the Hank Aaron State Trail and the other is a study by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation of the Highway 41 corridor that ends in the 18th Assembly District.

I feel that an extension of the Hank Aaron State Trail would be very valuable to the district and the City of Milwaukee. The extension of the trail would allow for an increase in trail use, local tourism, and opportunities for family activities. I recently met with the Department of Natural Resources to pursue this idea further.

I am also seeking input on the possible redesign of Highway 41, particularly as it intersects Lisbon and North Avenues.  I believe there is a better design to connect neighbors and businesses that surround Highway 41.  Though this type of project would be several years in the making, please watch out for future opportunities to comment on Highway 41 and don't hesitate to contact me with your thoughts.

Rep. Goyke speaks to Marquette University students with Rep. Wright, Rep. Riemer, and Rep. Genrich.

 New Employment Resource

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has launched a new Skill Explorer website that provides a free job search tool allowing Wisconsin workers to search for employment opportunities that match their existing skills and training. Skill Explorer can be found by clicking here.

Workers can search for new career opportunities on the Skill Explorer website by typing in their former or current job title. Skill Explorer provides a list of current openings relating to the work experience of that job through openings on Job Center of Wisconsin and three other online employment websites. Skill Explorer will also provide overviews explaining what each specific job entails, how much workers typically make in that position, and any special training or background needed for the occupation. Skill Explorer’s mapping function will show hot spots in the state for particular occupations, as well as allow individuals to search for current openings by county.

 Energy Efficiency

With winter still with us, but hopefully coming to an end soon, I encourage you to closely examine your residence to see how you can winterize and make your home more energy efficient so you can save money on heating and electric costs.

The United States Department of Energy and its Energy Saver Website provide many ideas and resources on how to save on energy costs.

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program helps citizens lower their energy consumption and costs by making their homes more energy efficient. Please visit their website here to learn how you can save more money on your energy bill.

 At the Capitol

Rep. Goyke speaks on the Assembly floor in support of a resolution he introduced to help prevent future closures of schools

On Thursday, February 27th I was joined by my colleagues Representative Richards and Senator Harris in calling on the Republican majority to hold a public hearing on Assembly Bill 138 which requires background checks for firearm purchases. Assembly Bill 138 was introduced last April and has yet to receive a public hearing.

Rep. Goyke advocates for a public hearing on background checks for all firearm sales. The display map shows the number of reported shots fired, non-fatal shootings, and homicides in the 18th Assembly District during 2013.

I am currently in the process of meeting with every Republican member of the legislature, both Assembly and Senate, to bring greater attention to "Lindsey's Law" and the package of foreclosure bills. I will continue to do this until the Assembly adjourns.

I recently invited many of my Republican colleagues to the 18th Assembly District to tour our neighborhoods and businesses. In conjunction with the expansion of the ShotSpotter program, I feel it is important that they meet the constituents who will benefit from the program.

Rep. Goyke with fellow Eagle Scout James Hightower

I recently spoke to a select group of Eagle Scouts at the Capitol prior to their meeting with Governor Walker to provide the annual Boy Scouts of America Report to the State. Among the attendees was fellow Eagle Scout James Hightower, pictured above. He is the youngest African-American Eagle Scout in the history of Scouting.

Rep. Goyke with Ms. Joan Johnson

I was proud to welcome to the Capitol my constituent Ms. Joan Johnson who visited to advocate for public libraries on Wisconsin Libraries Legislative Day. I am a proud supporter and showed her my library card!

 Other Recent News

 

With the legislative session coming to an end later this spring, legislators are allowed to submit a proposal for a Legislative Counsel Study Committee to review for policy recommendations. I recently submitted a proposal regarding the importance of effective and sound early childhood education.

 

I was proud to be chosen by my Assembly Democratic colleagues in December to be the Assembly Democratic Caucus Secretary. This position allows me to work closer with leadership in both the Assembly and Senate to accomplish legislative goals.

 

 


Friends and Neighbors,

 

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the 18th Assembly District. It has been wonderful hearing from so many of you at my Capitol office and to talk with even more of you as I spend time at home in Milwaukee.

 

Below you will find a thorough update of the legislative proposals I have introduced, fought against, bills I am working on, and those that have advanced during this legislative session. With the Spring 2014 legislative session coming to an end in the State Assembly, I have been very busy meeting each day with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to discuss the merits of the proposals and how they will benefit our district and the State of Wisconsin.

I also know that in order to continue to do my job well that I need to have a good understanding of what my constituents value and face each day in their neighborhoods. If your neighborhood association, club, or community group is having a meeting please consider inviting me to attend. We can discuss how your voices, values, and concerns influence my work in the Capitol. Please call my staff member, Ryan, at (608) 266-0645, and let him know about your local event. I’d love to see you around the 18th District.

It is my hope that this newsletter wilI provide you with an update on action taken by the legislature and initiatives that I am currently working on to make the 18th Assembly District the best it can be! Together we can build a brighter future. As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.


 

Evan Goyke
State Representative
18th Assembly District
 

 

Legislation I Am Working On:

 

Legal Representation for Veterans

Over the course of the next week I will introduce two pieces of legislation that will provide greater legal access and representation for veterans. As I said in my last update to you, too often I have heard from veterans and advocates that not enough is being done by our communities and the State to meet the needs of veterans who are experiencing non-criminal legal difficulties and trying to navigate the legal system. Veterans Courts throughout the State and pro-bono services have been an excellent step in the right direction and I feel we can expand upon those efforts.

The first piece of legislation calls for a pilot program to provide a right to counsel to qualifying veterans. The bill would create a position within the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to help guide veterans through various civil legal processes.

The second piece of legislation provides an appropriation to provide a start-up funding source for counties throughout Wisconsin interested in starting a veterans court program. I recently joined Senator Risser is requesting a Legislative Council Study Committee on the topic of Veterans Courts.



Legislation I Have Introduced:

 

Criminal Justice Reform Package

Expungement Reform - In Wisconsin, young persons 25 or younger entangled in the criminal justice system may apply for expungement of their criminal record upon successful completion of their sentence. The decision to grant expungement rests with the Circuit Court Judge. The decision to grant expungement is complicated by current law because the judge is required to make the decision at the time of sentencing, which is before the defendant has completed his or her sentence. Thus, under current law, a Circuit Court Judge must guess whether the defendant will earn the opportunity for expungement without the ability to review the defendant’s conduct in fulfilling the court’s sentence. This bill provides a simple solution to the problem by allowing the Circuit Court Judge discretion to make the expungement decision after the defendant completes his or her sentence.

 

THC Penalty Reform- As you know, we incarcerate or fine far too many non-violent individuals for marijuana use, particularly first-time offenders. I believe that our courts and justice system are often over-burdened by marijuana arrests, specifically, first offenses that are often seen with young people. This legislation seeks to equalize penalties by mirroring first-offense THC violations with first-offense OWI violations.

 

Revocation Reform- Our prison systems are flooded with individuals who have had their extended supervision or revocation revoked. For example, in 2012, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections re-incarcerated over 4,000 people when their release was revoked. This re-incarceration rate costs the state an incredible amount of money. This bill would limit the period of re-incarceration to 90 days.

 

Voter Restoration - I co-authored a bill with Senator Harris titled, "The Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act," to enfranchise over 68,000 taxpaying Wisconsin citizens who have returned to society but not been given the right to vote.

 

Responsible Firearm Ownership- Under this bill, if a person has been convicted of a criminal misdemeanor on three separate occasions within a five−year period, the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm until at least five years have passed since the first misdemeanor conviction.

 

Other Important Legislation:

 

• I co-authored a bill with Senator Harris that requires the use of minority impact statements in Wisconsin’s criminal law-making.

 

• I co-authored a bill with Representative Johnson to encourage employers to offer more of our young people the opportunity for summer employment. The bill provides a tax credit of up to $1,500 for wages paid to an eligible employee age 15 to 19 who resides in a Wisconsin county that is experiencing high unemployment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012, the annual unemployment rate for Wisconsin youth ages 16 to 19 was 20.4%.

 

• I am an original co-author of legislation that would put to a vote of the citizens of Wisconsin a change in our state constitution that would repeal the prohibition on marriage equality and civil unions.

 

• With the sudden closure of LifeSkills Academy last December, I authored a resolution that would require the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Committee on Assembly Organization to work with the legislature to prevent a closure like this from ever happening again.

 

 

Rep. Goyke joins colleagues at Hunger Task Force in support of raising the minimum wage

 

Legislation I Fought Against:

 

• Assembly Bill 750 was fast-tracked by the Republican majority with very little time for review by the Assembly Committee on Labor. This bill would further attack local control and prevent living wage ordinances passed by municipalities, including Milwaukee, from applying to workers who are paid partly or wholly with state or federal funds passing through the state treasury.

 

• I strongly opposed and fought against Assembly Bill 417 which would require that underutilized buildings owned by the City of Milwaukee and leased by MPS only be sold to education operators. This bill is another attack on local control.

 

• Assembly Bill 556 would expand the use of strip searches to non-violent offenders and to juveniles as young as 11 years old. I strongly fought against this on the floor of the Assembly and worked with my colleagues to remove many of the harmful provisions, including the provisions applying to juveniles.

 

Legislative Advancements:

 

• I was very proud to work with the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice to pass unanimously out of committee Assembly Bill 518, "Lindsey's Law." The legislation creates greater access to resources and mental health treatment for victims of sexual assault.

 

 

This home on Rep. Goyke's block, nicknamed the "Green Bay Packer House" by its neighbors, was once boarded up, but received recent renovations. This home serves as an example of why legislation to address home foreclosures is needed.

 

• The package of foreclosure bills I introduced on January 15th has received great support including a recent endorsement by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Please click here to view their editorial.

 

• On February 6th I testified before the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate in favor of Assembly Bill 625. This bill was part of the package of bills I introduced to help address the ongoing foreclosure problem in Milwaukee. Assembly Bill 625 seeks to provide the municipality earlier entry to a property that has been foreclosed upon and abandoned to stabilize and winterize the property, along with ensuring there are no public safety hazards.

 

The Senate version of this bill, Senate Bill 488, advanced on Tuesday March 4th with a public hearing in the Senate. I am hopeful that both houses of the legislature will pass this commonsense bill.

       

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