February 21, 2014

Working for you!

This week in the Assembly

Fighting National Debt

I am a cosponsor of two pieces of legislation to address our skyrocketing national debt. These both passed the Assembly this week. One allows a convention of states to discuss and draft amendments to the US Constitution, and the other creates a delegate selection process for the convention.   Article V of the United States Constitution includes a framework for potential future changes. When amendments have been added in the past, they were approved by a supermajority (at least two-thirds) of Congress and three-fourths of the states.

Assembly Joint Resolution 81 (AJR 81), would use a lesser-known component of Article V, allowing two-thirds of state legislatures to call for a convention of states to draft amendments. Then, three-fourths of the states would need to vote to ratify the amendment. We think this is the best option to combat national debt since the federal government has been unable to pass meaningful debt reduction legislation. The states have a way to keep the federal government in check, and the founding fathers gave us this tool.

If AJR 81 is adopted, Wisconsin would become one of 20 other states calling for this type of convention on a balanced budget amendment.

Assembly Bill 635 (AB 635), creates a process to select delegates who would serve at an Article V Convention. This bill includes the following provisions:

The Legislature and the Governor appoint five delegates to attend the convention as follows:

• The Speaker of the Assembly appoints two members of the Assembly
• The President of the Senate appoints two members of the Senate
• The Governor appoints one member of either the Assembly or the Senate

A majority vote of a state's five delegates represents the state's position on a matter.

We must take steps to address our national debt. It's important that future generations not be held back by massive debt that they didn't take part in accumulating. Most of us want a balanced budget, but it still hasn't happened. This resolution is a big step in helping us get real control over our national debt and start a better, more fiscally responsible future for generations to come.

SAFE Act is another step to saving lives

On Tuesday, the State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 464, the SAFE Act (Stopping Abuse Fatalities through Enforcement), and I hope it passes the Senate quickly. If enacted, this bill will implement model court procedures to ensure that convicted abusers who have been ordered to surrender their firearms actually do it. It is already the law that those with a domestic abuse or child abuse injunction must surrender any firearms they possess. However, there's no standard procedure to make sure this happens. If you would like to read more detail about this legislation, click here.

Emergency Heating Assistance Bill Passes Assembly

Recently, the price per gallon of propane has risen due to inadequate supply to meet a soaring demand. In response, Governor Walker expanded eligibility for low income energy assistance and established a $4 million loan guarantee program, which helped propane dealers with financing so they can purchase and distribute their product to those who need it. Those in the middle class or who are seniors are still paying high prices for propane, so we passed Assembly Bill 770. AB 770 targets those who don't qualify for the low income assistance and offers a loan guarantee program.

Homeowners can acquire low-interest loans to get propane and heating supplies approved by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), in a way that's similar to drought assistance. The loans cannot exceed $2,500 and the borrower's household income can't exceed 200 percent of the median family income in their county. The bill now goes to the Senate for attention.

Murphy Legislation

Common Core

Please know that I can relate to your concerns, regardless of your position on this. I have many of the same concerns. I've always been interested in this topic, and as it moved to the forefront last fall with public hearings and informational meetings, I've looked into it even more.

I believe Common Core can be a basis going forward to create Wisconsin-based standards for the future. I am a cosponsor of Senate Bill 619, because I think a Wisconsin standard will be able to speak specific and unique issues our students may have, and allow us to more effectively tap into the expertise of our own university system and our educational establishment.

SB 619 has not yet had a committee hearing or a vote in the Senate. Assembly Bill 617 had a hearing in the Assembly, but an amendment has now been offered on it, so the new version was not voted on in committee Thursday in order to give more time for input. Neither bill is currently scheduled for any action before the full Assembly or Senate.

As you study Common Core, I encourage you to consider the following: the intent of this legislation is to make sure there's a process in place so that when experts gather to write academic standards for Wisconsin, they do that only after hearing from the public and legislature. The exclusive writers of academic standards will be the experts and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). With the Superintendent of DPI as co-chair of the board, I would sincerely hope it's not politicized by him or anyone else.

As this discussion continues, I welcome your comments.

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors-Wisconsin Day at the Capitol

On February 12th, I was happy to welcome to my office several insurance professionals who were visiting Madison for their annual legislative Day on the Hill. Chris Hanson (pictured with me below), Harry Dorman, Jeffrey Miles and Don Schleicher and I discussed issues affecting the insurance industry and other state issues of interest to them. Thanks for visiting!

Appointment to the East Central Regional Planning Commission

My Madison Office