What's Happening in Madison
With so much happening at the State's Capitol, I would like to provide you with an update on communications that the Legislature has had with Governor Tony Evers and his administration.
The first communication with Governor Evers' administration came when, earlier this month, my colleagues and I on the Joint Committee on Finance were asked to take action on approving over 60 new state positions. In response to these requests, Representative John Nygren and Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chairs of the committee, sent a letter to the Secretary of Administration urging the administration to find vacancies to eliminate before asking for additional positions. The state has more than 600 positions that have been vacant for more than a year, and it is imperative that we look at eliminating long-term vacancies before we approve additional positions.
Another letter was sent to the Department of Health Services Secretary-designee from Assembly Majority Leader, Rep. Jim Steineke. This letter called for the release of suicide prevention funds that the Legislature approved nearly a month ago. The Center for Suicide Awareness received $220,000 for a text-based hotline that is a crucial component for the Legislature's current push on addressing suicide in Wisconsin. It is my hope that we can cut through this bureaucratic red tape and get this money released soon.
Finally, in response to Governor Tony Evers' call on the Wisconsin State Legislature to hold a special session on gun control, Speaker Robin Vos announced that Assembly Republicans "will not entertain proposals that infringe on our constitutional rights." I applaud Speaker Vos for standing up for Wisconsin citizens' Constitutional Rights.
As always, I encourage you to follow my updates on social media or contact my office directly with your questions. Best wishes on your weekend!
Don't Forget: Listening Sessions
This Monday, November 4th, I will be having two evening listening sessions in Cedar Grove and Sheboygan with Rep. Tyler Vorpagel from the 27th Assembly District and Senator Devin LeMahieu. I encourage you all to come and discuss the issues that you most care about.
The times and locations are as follows:
Cedar Grove Listening Session
w/ Senator LeMahieu
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cedar Grove Public Library
131 Van Altena Avenue
Sheboygan Listening Session
w/ Senator LeMahieu & Representative Vorpagel
5:00PM - 6:00PM
UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
Wombat Room
1 University Dr
I hope to see as many of you there as possible. If you are unable to attend, please know that you can always contact my office at 608-266-0656 or at Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov.
 Turn Back Your Clocks
Don't forget to turn back your clocks before you head to bed on Saturday night! Daylight saving time ends at 2:00am on November 2nd.
 Request your Blue Book Today
The 2019-2020 State of Wisconsin Blue Book is now available. This book has been published biennially since 1853 by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau. The Blue Book is a valuable source of information on state government, the legislative process and the history of Wisconsin. If you would like to receive a copy of the Wisconsin Blue Book free of charge, please contact my office at Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov. You can view the book online here.
Office of Rep. Terry Katsma
State Capitol, Room 306 East
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Toll-Free (888) 529-0026 or (608) 266-0656
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov| |
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