October 12, 2015

Working for you!

Legislation of Interest

H.O.P.E Agenda

The Heroin, Opiate Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda is a package of legislation that is designed to address the problem of heroin and opiate abuse that is plaguing Wisconsin. Last session, the legislature unanimously passed various reforms under the HOPE agenda, and this session Representative Nygren (R-Marinette) introduced four more bills. AB 364, AB 365, AB 366, and AB 367 are receiving their first Public Hearing in the Assembly Committee on Health on Wednesday, October 14th. The Dose of Reality Campaign, led by Attorney General Brad Schimel, is also aimed at preventing prescription painkiller abuse.

 Civil Service Reform

Representative Steineke (R-Kaukauna) and Senator Roger Roth (R-Appleton) introduced AB 373 and SB285 to reform the State Civil Service System. The goal of this legislation is to continue to recruit the best and brightest into state government. This timing is important, due to the impending wave of retirements from Baby Boomers. One of every 12 employees is currently eligible to retire and 23% of state workers will be eligible to retire in the next five years. Highlights include: replacing the exam requirement with a resume-based system; centralizing HR functions in the Department of Administration; implementing an annual performance review for employees across agencies; clarifying the definition of "just cause"; and extending the probationary period for new hires.

GAB and Campaign Finance Reform

Representative Knudson (R-Hudson) and Senator Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) introduced legislation to reform the Government Accountability Board (GAB). This is in response to lapses in the oversight of our elections, the GAB's failure to follow the state law, and an unconstitutional investigation in which the GAB took part. Please read highlights from the audit of the GAB conducted by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau for further information. For more information on the proposals, please click here.

Justice for Children Initiative

Senator Cowles (R-Green Bay) introduced the Justice for Children package of legislation to address the problems of child abuse, neglect, and sexual assault. These bills are currently being circulated for co-sponsors, and I have signed on in support. Please click here for a description of each of the bills.

Clarification on Column about Minimum Markup Law

In an earlier e-update, I wrote a column about legislation that I introduced with Senator Vukmir and Representative Jim Ott to repeal the Unfair Sales Act, commonly referred to as the Minimum Markup law. I received many responses from constituents on both sides of the issue, and I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

After talking with one of my constituents, I felt the need to clarify a statement in my column. The column began by asking "Did you know that you pay an extra 9.18% for every gallon of gas you buy?". My constituent felt this statement was an improper way to characterize the minimum markup because it implies that petroleum retailers can operate by selling at cost and that the whole 9.18% could be saved if this law were repealed. I apologize if this statement was misleading in anyway. I recognize the fact that if this law were repealed, you will likely see a reduction in gas prices, however you likely would not see a reduction in gas prices by 9.18% because retailers must earn a margin on the product they sell to cover the costs of doing business.

Thank you again for pointing this out, and I appreciate the respectful debate that I can have with my constituents and the thoughtful responses that I have received from many of you.

Octoberfest in Appleton

I celebrated Octoberfest in Appleton and had the opportunity to talk with Steve Bender who is the first Rawhide alumni to sit on the Rawhide Board of Directors. Rawhide is a charitable organization that offers programs for at risk youth in Wisconsin. Learn more about them here.

Representative Dave Murphy (Left) and Steve Bender (Right)

The 2015 Fox Cities Heart Walk

I participated in the Fox Cities Heart Walk which is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association to help combat heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease.

From Left to Right: My brother Jerry, Representative Murphy, and my dog, Sabrina