December 15, 2017

Working for you!

Air Pollution Decreased

In the past seven years, Wisconsin air pollution decreased 35 percent -- from 11.1 to 7.4 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Senator Johnson Brings Murphy Financial Literacy Bill to D.C.

This week, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), introduced the Empowering Student Borrowers Act to help students understand the financial implications of student loans and educational debt. The bill, which has bipartisan support in Washington, was modeled after a law passed in Wisconsin last session that I authored. You can read more about the bill and the positive impact it's already having in Wisconsin and Indiana by following this link: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2E728ECB-A62A-46F6-8847-A2C5D1B2EB1A

Happy Hanukkah

A Word About the Words "Merry Christmas"

This week, I received a single complaint about my use of the phrase “Merry Christmas” in last week's e-update. I was dismayed to see my expression of joy bring someone such offense. When I receive a friendly holiday greeting of good cheer my reaction is always thankful and never offense. I continually strive to not be easily offended, especially in those situations when no offense is intended.

I use the familiar greeting of “Merry Christmas” as a Christian. It is not meant to impose my faith on others and it is not an assumption that they belong to the same faith as I do. Nor is my wish of a "Merry Christmas" a diminishment of the beliefs of others. A hardy “Merry Christmas” is my sincere wish for you to have a safe and joyful existence at this time of year during which Christians, and many others, recognize holidays rooted in celebrations of peace, hope, and charity.

Every American has a constitutional and inalienable right to practice and express their religious beliefs. No one has the right to suppress the rights of others. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes clear that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The First Amendment was created to ensure the federal government would never impose a single national region on the states, at a time in which many states actually did proclaim an official state religion. Presidents Jefferson and Madison recognized Christmas at the White House with large celebrations and Christmas is a federal holiday.

Our founding fathers did not write the First Amendment to protect people, or even the government, from religious greetings; it was adopted to ensure that religion would be protected from persecution by the government.

Joy and happiness are not finite and it’s my hope that we can make them grow for everyone. In that spirit, I again wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, regardless of your religion or lack thereof. I hope my Christmas tidings bring you the same joy as when I am wished a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, or any other sincere wish for wellbeing.  

My staff and I had a great time taking a photo in front of the Capitol Christmas Tree (Picture left to right: Legislative Assistant Michael Moscicke, State Representative Dave Murphy, Research Assistant Diane Handrick, and Intern Maryjane Behm.)

Tax Burden Decreases Along With Unemployment

For the first time in Wisconsin's history, 70 of 72 counties have unemployment rates of four percent or lower. Wisconsin's state-local tax burden dropped last year to 10.7 percent of personal income, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2016, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. It is the sixth straight year the group found state-local taxes have dropped relative to income. The group attributed last year's decrease to two factors: a 19 percent decline in unemployment insurance taxes as the economy improved; and the elimination of a 0.5 percent Brown County sales tax for renovations at the Green Bay Packers' stadium. That trend is in line with numbers Governor Walker's office highlighted this fall that Wisconsin dropped to No. 22 in 2015 for the highest state and local tax burden, its best ranking in 50 years.

Ho, Ho, Hold on to Your Receipts

Gift shopping is a gamble. Despite all of your best efforts, your "perfect gift" may end up back on the store shelf hours after the package is unwrapped.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection asks shoppers to pay close attention to the different stores' policies while they shop, to ask for gift receipts at the register, and to keep all sales documentation organized and accessible throughout the holiday season. Additional return tips include:

• Stores are required by law to honor the return guidelines they represent to consumers. If the store's policy is not posted, ask a salesperson or manager about the terms before making a purchase.

•  Pay attention to the timeframe allotted by the retailer for returns. Find out if the countdown to the last day for returns begins on the date of original purchase of the item or if there are extended holiday return deadlines.

•  As you wrap gifts, leave the price tags and UPC codes intact and keep the original packaging. Some stores charge a restocking fee for opened items or those without their packaging – especially electronics.

• Review the conditions that apply when you buy items on sale or clearance. Some stores may not allow you to return these items.

•  If you are shopping online, find out who pays return shipping fees if you have a problem with the product. Does the retailer pay those fees or does the consumer? Are return shipping fees deducted from the refund amount?

• Gift cards may not be returnable, so check the store's policy before you purchase one.

If you believe a retailer is not honoring its posted return policy, file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.

Committee Report

On Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities Committee held a hearing on four bills that covered topics including college credit earned by high schools students, creating a Public Defender Board student loan pilot program, physician, dentist, and health care provider loan student loan assistance, and the creation of a crime victims legal clinic at the UW Law School. You can watch the full hearing online here: http://www.wiseye.org/Video-Archive/Event-Detail/evhdid/12052

On Wednesday, the Assembly Committee on Health held a hearing on five bills that included topics such as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS), tax deductions for psychiatrists, providing notice to individuals receiving mammograms who may need additional examination, the substitution of more affordable biosimiliars for proscribed biologics, and the sale of dextromethorphan without a prescription to persons under 18. You can watch the full hearing online here: http://www.wiseye.org/Video-Archive/Event-Detail/evhdid/12048

'Tis the Season for Festive Events

Winter brings so many opportunities to get out into the local community. Be sure to check out a holiday fair, go see the Nutcracker, or catch a production of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.

Check out other upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website, and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.