Question of the week

This week's e-update inaugurates a new feature: a question of the week pertaining to an issue of paramount importance to Wisconsin voters. 

Assembly Republicans and Governor Tony Evers have proposed different methods for funding a middle-class tax relief package.

Please, take just a minute to complete my one-question survey on tax reform. 

Click here for my one-question survey

Middle-class tax relief

This week, I joined my colleagues in voting to advance Assembly Bill 4, legislation that cuts taxes for hardworking Wisconsin families. I believe taxpayers are better equipped to spend their money than the government. Republicans have reduced taxes by more than $8 billion since 2011, resulting in a robust, flourishing economy, low unemployment, and the largest rainy day fund in state history.

Assembly Bill 4 provides $340 million in tax relief and is targeted to individuals earning less than $100,000 annually and couples earning $150,000 or less. Wisconsin's nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects the median income family filing jointly would see a $310 reduction in net taxes. Three-quarters of the tax cut goes to filers making between $30,000 and $100,000.

While our middle-class tax relief proposal embraces the governor's basic framework, it does not deliver relief in the same fashion. The Republican proposal does not raise taxes and is fully funded. Governor Evers' proposal, on the contrary, increases taxes by $518 million on businesses and manufacturers.

Middle-class tax relief is a win-win for hardworking families and the State of Wisconsin. 

Study Committee 

This week, the Legislative Council Council Study Committee on Child Placement and Custody held its final hearing. All of the committee members worked hard to identify legislative solutions. I want to extend a special thank you to my vice-chair, Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), for her leadership on these issues.

Committee members will be voting, via mail ballot, in the next few weeks on a series of bills relating to placement and custody issues. As these bills move through the legislative process, I will keep you abreast.

Speaker's Water Quality Task Force

Earlier this week, I was appointed to the Speaker's Task Force on Water Quality. The task force's mission is:

• Identifying best practices for testing and data collection, measuring water quality in different parts of the state, and types of soil.
• Determining the sources and causes of contaminants impacting water quality.
• Consulting with stakeholders to assess current practices to manage runoff as well as suggestions to improve these efforts.
• Investigating remedies that will protect a healthy and stable supply of water for residents and industry.
• Studying best practices for designing and constructing wells and septic systems to safeguard a healthy water supply.

If you have suggestions or ideas as it relates to the task force's mission or are interested in participating in an in-district roundtable discussion, please contact my office. I will provide additional information as it becomes available. 

In-district videos

In the near future, I intend to produce in-district videos showcasing two or three events or organizations within our local communities, each month. I would like to include community events, local businesses, nonprofits, and schools, in these videos. If your business recently expanded, school offered a noteworthy program, nonprofit raised awareness for an issue of importance to our communities, or you would like to address a specific issue in a video, please contact my office. 

I have included a previous video (it can be viewed by clicking on the picture above), related to columbaria, as an example. The legislation featured in this video originated directly from constituents. 

60th District Events

The following are a few events that will be occurring this week, in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events that you would like included in my e-update, please contact my office. 

45th annual Winter Festival, Cedarburg, February 15-17

Port Washington Winter Market, Port Washington, February 16

Winter Fest Cribbage Tournament, Cedarburg, February 17

Night Ski, Snowshoe and Candlelight Hike, Saukville, February 15

Muskie Expo, West Bend, February 15-17

Stay up to date

One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).