October 4, 2019

Working for you!

Adoption Improvements Recommended

On Wednesday, the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption issued a preliminary report including recommendations we have for improving adoption in Wisconsin for parents and adoptees. It was incredibly moving to hear personal stories from constituents and folks across the state on this issue, and I’m confident we can advance bipartisan legislation to address these concerns.

My primary focus will be on legislation that ensures the safety of children as quickly as possible, especially in situations involving drugs, and reducing the bureaucracy and costs associated with adoption.

Here is a summary of the report recommendations:

• Create grounds for Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) determination based on drugs

• Require courts to conduct the first review of a permanency plan

• Support court employment of permanency counselors

• Modify the continuing CHIPS grounds and create additional grounds for involuntary Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Allow for a TPR motion as part of a CHIPS or Juvenile In need of Protection or Services (JIPS) proceeding

• Create a parental right to counsel in a CHIPS or JIPS proceeding

• Eliminate the right to a jury trial in TPR proceedings

• Require a TPR appellant to participate in an appeal

• Make foster parents parties in the proceedings to change placement

• Modify the law regarding placement with relatives

• Permit postadoption contact agreements

• Expand eligibility for adoption assistance

You can read the full report online here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/committees/assembly/adoption/media/1107/adopt_task_force_interim.pdf

Evers Error Means New Election Date

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I was disappointed that Gov. Evers chose to schedule a special congressional election over the holidays. Recent news shows that the dates he selected also violated federal law requiring enough time for overseas military ballots to be received. I’m happy this error was caught early enough for the election to be rescheduled.

World Mental Health Day

Thursday, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. The day was created in 1995 as a way to promote mental health education, awareness and advocacy against the social stigma associated with mental illness.

In recognition of this day, please visit the website for the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention, which is a working to address a growing issue associated with mental health.

Applications Open for Winnebago Coroner

The Governor’s Office is now accepting applications for the Winnebago County Coroner position that will become vacant on October 31.

Application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Interested applicants must submit an online application with a cover letter detailing professional and academic qualifications, civic activities, and community involvement. The application can be found online here by clicking “Apply” in the center of the page, scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking “Click here to apply for the Register of Deeds, Coroner or Sheriff positions.”

If the online application is not functioning, please send a cover letter and resume to govappointments@wisconsin.gov. Potential applicants with questions about the application process may contact Flora Csontos, Director of Gubernatorial Appointments, at (608) 267-3675.

JFC Approves Suicide Hotline and UW Funding

On Wednesday, the Joint Finance Committee authorized $110,000 for the Suicide Hotline in the current fiscal year. The committee also authorized funding for the UW System Dairy Innovation Hub and $45 million for UW System dedicated toward outcomes-based funding.

Funding for all three items was approved in the state budget and the committee was able to authorize release of the funding now since plans for its expenditure have been submitted and vetted.

To learn more about the Dairy Innovation Hub, click on the photo above that links to a video.

Capitol Visitors

While I was at another meeting, my staffer, Diane, met with members of some of Wisconsin's great fraternal organizations from our area to discuss insurance and community activism issues.

Constituents Dave Certa and Joanna Lofenburg visited the Capitol to discuss the possibility of an Article V Constitutional convention of states to address a balanced federal budget and Congressional term limits.

Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website or https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/ 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.