Thank you for taking the time to read this week's e-update. I always strive to include information you find interesting and informative as it relates to my work in Madison and the 60th Assembly District.
My most important goal remains serving you, my constituents. Helping you find solutions to difficult problems when it seems like the state is unresponsive is the single greatest reward for my staff and me. I take constituents' input seriously and continually work hard on your behalf.
I always have your thoughts and concerns in mind when deciding whether or not to support legislation. Furthermore, I appreciate when you take time out of your schedules to contact me.
Have a great week,
This week's survey
Late last month, Governor Evers signed more than 100 bills into law, vetoing just two. One of the bills Governor Evers vetoed, Senate Bill 43, relating to paddlewheel raffles, was passed unanimously via voice vote, in both houses of the legislature. When asked by a reporter why ve vetoed the bill, Governor Evers said, "We will get you that information. I signed over 100 bills two days ago and vetoed a handful of other ones--but you caught me." It is unfortunate that Governor Evers was unable to explain why he vetoed a bill that was passed unanimously in both houses of the legislature and pertains to something that is commonplace at many community festivals.
Paddlewheel raffles are very popular amongst Wisconsin's many sportsmen's clubs, civic and veterans' organizations, and churches throughout the state. For example, a frequently used variation is the "meat raffle," a crowd favorite seen at events from church festivals to VFW fish fries. However, groups who hold paddlewheel raffles at special events under their raffle license are being informed that they are fostering illegal gambling, and are subject to a Class I Felony penalty.
According to Wisconsin Legislative Council, if an organization conducts a raffle by selecting winning tickets from a container pursuant to a valid raffle license, Governor Evers' veto of Senate Bill 43 should not affect the organization's ability to continue doing so. Current law has not changed relating to this issue. Thus, it would still be illegal for an organization to hold paddlewheel raffles.
Thanks to previous legislation we passed to eliminate the use of a similar loophole in state law that served as an impediment to charitable organizations, a Class B raffle license may now be used to conduct a "multiple-container raffle." This allows for popular raffles such as plastic and rubber duck races at special events to be conducted lawfully, as long as the winner in the raffle or race is determined by "drawing" with all tickets having an "equal opportunity to win."
Senate Bill 43 would have provided similar relief for paddlewheel raffles by allowing an organization with a Class B raffle license to conduct such raffles without inadvertently committing a Class I Felony.
In his veto message, Governor Evers objected to the bill's expansion of what constitutes a raffle. According to Evers, "Such an expansion could threaten the exclusive rights of Tribal Nations to conduct Class III gaming in Wisconsin." The Tribal Nations did not express any concerns with the bill when it was brought to their attention by the authors.
Please, take a minute to answer this week's survey question regarding paddlewheel raffles.
Thank you to everyone who responded to last week's survey regarding University of Wisconsin System funding. Your input was invaluable and helped me better ascertain solutions for making higher education more affordable.
In total, 110 individuals answered this week's survey question, with 37 percent supporting a continuation of the UW-System tuition freeze. Additionally, 30 percent of respondents supported increased tuition for non-resident undergraduates.
What is more, 21 percent of respondents answered "other." Responses include:
"Don't let them accept federally-backed student loans. When federal money is offered, spending increases."
"Get government out of the student loan industry entirely. Tuition prices continue to surge because government incentivizes institutions of higher learning to charge exorbitant tuition prices."
"Any tuition increase over the rate of inflation is excessive. The proposed increase of twenty-five percent is downright immoral. Universities nationwide have grown bloated with guaranteed government money. They must be pressured to hold the line on costs and tuition."
"Increase for non-residents from states with higher non-resident rates. We should also consider a tuition increase for graduate studies."
Bill Signings
Last month, I was proud to have had four bills, all of which had either bipartisan support or were approved unanimously, via voice vote, signed into law by Governor Tony Evers.
Assembly Bill 86
Assembly Bill 86 (2019 Wisconsin Act 113) was a technical fix to 2017 Wisconsin Act 51, which modernized official bonding requirements for municipal officials. The act made filing an official bond permissive, not mandatory.
Assembly Bill 86 simply clarified that the filing of an official bond for town municipal judges is optional, not mandatory. The bill was approved unanimously, via voice vote, in both houses of the legislature.
Senate Bill 108
Senate Bill 108 (2019 Wisconsin Act 164), was drafted at the behest of a constituent from the Village of Fredonia and streamlines the process for filling vacant village board and city council seats.
The bill, as amended, provides that for vacancies in cities other than Milwaukee, the offices of mayor or alderperson may (a) be filled by appointment by the common council for the remainder of the unexpired term (b) be filled by an appointment until a special election is held, as ordered by the common council; or (c) remain vacant until an election is held.
Senate Bill 108 had bipartisan support and was approved unanimously, via voice vote in both houses of the legislature.
Senate Bill 117
Senate Bill 117 (Wisconsin Act 180), "The Uniform Athlete-Agent Act of 2019," adopts a new definition of the term athlete-agent; stipulates which licensed professionals are considered athlete-agents and which are not; requires applicants for registration as an athlete agent to provide information that is not currently required; adopts reciprocal registration; modifies DSPS' authority to discipline a registered athlete-agent.
This common-sense bill afforded student-athletes pursuing careers in professional sports with protections from overzealous and scrupulous agents. Furthermore, it notifies the institution of higher learning that a student-athlete has been in communication with a professional sports agent. Senate Bill 117 was approved unanimously, via voice vote, in both houses of the legislature.
Assembly Bill 691
Assembly Bill 691 (2019 Wisconsin Act 114), better educates consumers and assessors about their respective roles in the property assessment process. Chiefly, it reminds assessors that the practice of "chasing sales" is prohibited by the state's uniformity clause. More specifically, the bill, as amended, alters the "Notice of Assessment" that is sent to all property owners, informing them when a property tax assessment is different from the previous year. The notice also advises property owners that the practice of "chasing sales" is prohibited.
Assembly Bill 691 was approved unanimously, via voice vote, by both houses of the legislature.
Governor Evers signing Senate Bill 108 into law.
State Highway 60 Rehabilitation
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be hosting a public open house meeting to discuss the rehabilitation/resurfacing of Wisconsin Highway 60 from Eagle Drive (Village of Jackson) in Washington County to Wisconsin Highway 181 in Ozaukee County.
The public involvement meeting is planned for 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at the Town of Cedarburg Town Hall, 1293 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg.
All are welcome to attend. Project maps and other information will be on display, and Wisconsin DOT staff will be available to discuss the project and answer any questions.
State Highway 60 will be closed to through traffic during construction. Construction is scheduled to begin April 20th and finish in mid-September.
For more information, please click the following link.
Blue Books
My office still has an abundance of 2019-2021 State of Wisconsin Blue Books. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please click the following link. My staff and I will make it a priority to ensure that your copy arrives in a timely fashion.
Events
The following are events that will be held this week in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events you would like included, please contact my office.
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.).
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Rob Brooks State Capitol, Room 216 North P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0060 or (608) 267-2369 Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.wi.gov| |
