A Tax Cut for the Middle Class

Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and I, along with a group of progressive Democrats, introduced progressive tax reform legislation that provides substantial, targeted tax relief to middle class families and ensures that millionaires and big corporations pay their fair share. The plan would return roughly $600 for a family of four making $45,000/year.

Click here to watch a short video about the plan.

Click here to read a full press release regarding the plan.

Legislation to Support Nursing Mothers in the Workplace

This week, I began circulating my Healthy Babies, Working Mothers bill for reintroduction. The bill would ensure nursing mothers do not face unnecessary barriers in the workplace. This legislation would bring Wisconsin law in line with federal employment regulations, expand protections to nearly all nursing mothers returning to work, ensure appropriate facilities are available for pumping breast milk, and ensure that women who are taking unpaid break time to breastfeed or express breast milk do not lose eligibility for employer sponsored health insurance.

Click here to read my complete press release.

Click here to read a copy of the bill.

Highlights from this Week’s Floor Session

Buy Wisconsin (AB 45)

Today, I moved to pull Assembly Bill 45 (AB 45) to the floor for consideration by the State Assembly.  AB 45 establishes a preference for state and local government to purchase materials and services from Wisconsin-based businesses by setting minimum contracting goals that not less than 20% of a fiscal year’s purchases be procured from Wisconsin-based businesses. On a party line vote, Republicans refused to even bring the bill to the floor.

Click here to read a full press release regarding the Republicans refusal to take up AB 45.

Use of Cannabidiol (AB 49/SB 10)

This bill allows an individual to possess CBD Oil, or cannabidiol, derived from marijuana plants without a prescription in Wisconsin so long as that person has a written certification from a Wisconsin-licensed doctor that the CBD Oil is for a medical condition. This certification cannot be more than one year old. Furthermore, the bill also says that if the federal government reschedules CBD Oil the state will mirror that scheduling within 30 days.

CBD Oil has proven effective in treating individuals who are affected by seizures as well as being medically beneficial to individuals with a wide-range of medical ailments. While I favor legalizing medical marijuana and allowing the growing and processing of the plant in Wisconsin, this bill is a small step in the right direction.  

“Right to Try” (AB 69)

Today, the State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 69, which is more commonly known as the “right-to-try” bill.   The goal of the bill is to provide individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness the ability to try any treatment that may help them, even if it is not yet FDA approved. Presently many patients may not live long enough for the approval process to be completed, but medications that could possibly give them a little extra time with loved ones remain out of reach. Thirty-three other states have passed similar legislation and recognized the ability to try experimental drugs should not be limited to those in clinical trials.

An amendment to the bill that passed in the Health Committee requires that, prior to being allowed to access medications, the patient must be ineligible for any clinical trials within 100 miles of their home.  The same amendment also requires that doctors project the costs for their patients.

In committee, I also offered an amendment requiring manufacturers to inform all patients on the drug when doctors reported a side-effect or other issue to the FDA. I offered a similar amendment on the Assembly floor today. 

Project Labor Agreements (AB 24/SB 3)

On Thursday, the Assembly will take up a Republican bill that prohibits local counties and municipalities from requiring or favoring Project Labor Agreements in their competitive bidding processes. This the next in a long series of Republican bills that drives down wages and makes it harder to keep good jobs in Wisconsin.

Under current law, private and public entities can enter into voluntary agreements with the general contractors that bid on and win their contracts for building projects.  These agreements are called Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and are used here more frequently in the private than public sector.  No law or ordinance requires use of PLAs anywhere in Wisconsin.  A recent example is Dane County's use of PLAs for renovation projects on existing facilities. Another example of a publically-used PLA was a major road project, the Marquette Interchange in Milwaukee, from 2005 to 2008, which came in on time and under budget. 

PLAs make sure that workers on a project – both union and nonunion - are subject to the same rules regarding terms of work, safety, and expectations of quality in workmanship.  They sometimes require contractors to support local training of workers as well by including contributions to training and apprenticeship programs to make sure the next generation of local workers is well skilled and well trained.

Ultimately, PLAs make it possible for local elected officials to ensure our communities get the most bang for their buck when spending taxpayer money on contracted projects and services. Unfortunately, Republicans are poised to pass this bill that further erodes local control, drives down wages, and harms our state and local economy.

Deleting the Office of the State Treasurer (AJR 2)

In order to change the Wisconsin Constitution, a resolution has to be passed in two successive legislative sessions and then voters have to approve the resolution in a statewide referendum.  On On Thursday, the Assembly is scheduled to consider Assembly Joint Resolution 2.  The resolution passed last session and, if passed again this session, will allow voters the opportunity to eliminate office of the State Treasurer.

Over the years, the office of the State Treasurer has been stripped of power.   Arguably, the most influence the State Treasurer has stems from serving on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

While it is expected the Resolution will pass, one concern with the resolution, as presently written, is that it would consolidate more power in the office of the Governor.   Under the proposal, the Lieutenant Governor will take the position of the State Treasurer on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.   I will be supporting efforts to amend the resolution so that the Superintendent of Public Instruction serves on the Board in the future.

Tax Day is Around the Corner

While many taxpayers are accustomed to filing their taxes on April 15th, the tax filing deadline for 2017 is April 18th in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue website has excellent information to help you avoid scams which are becoming all too prevalent around tax time. Additionally there are videos on how to select the appropriate forms and keep your personal information safe. You can obtain free assistance to ensure your forms are filed correctly the first time by clicking here.

Filing your Wisconsin taxes electronically is free, fast and easy. Click here to learn more.

Be ReadyWisconsin when you Spring Forward

Don’t forget to change your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday as Daylight Saving Time begins. It’s also a great time to change your batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and get other emergency safety items ready for spring storm season.

ReadyWisconsin urges you to check these items and change batteries:

• Smoke alarms save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or homes without working smoke alarms. It is recommended to have a smoke alarm inside each bedroom and install alarms on every level of the home including the basement. Make sure the alarms are tested monthly. All smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, about 450 people each year in Wisconsin are taken to hospital emergency rooms for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes. Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores.

• Emergency Kits- Daylight Saving Time is a perfect time to put together an emergency kit or restock an existing kit. If you already have a kit, use food items near their expiration and replace with fresh supplies. Items past their expiration dates should be disposed of and replaced. You should have supplies such as food and water to last you and your family for at least three days. Other items like a battery powered or crank radio, flashlights and batteries, first aid kit should also be included.

• Emergency NOAA Weather Radio- Spring brings the threat of tornadoes and severe weather. Make sure you have an emergency weather radio. It’s like having a tornado siren in your home. When it goes off, go to a safe place. Listen, Act and Live!

 ReadyWisconsin is a campaign from Wisconsin Emergency Management with a mission to prepare individuals, families and businesses for emergencies and disasters. For additional safety tips, visit http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov  or follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2017-2018 Official State Highway Maps

My office still has new 2017-2018 official state highway maps. If you would like one, please feel free to stop by my office, call, or email your request. If you can’t get to our office to pick yours up, we are happy to mail maps to you.

Fun Wisconsin Fact

In honor of March being Women’s Month, March’s fun facts will highlight women’s contributions to Wisconsin’s history.

In 1925, Mildred Barber (pictured right), Helen Brooks, and Helen Thompson were the first women elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature, elected to the assembly. Originally, these and other women were called “Assemblymen” like their male counterparts. The official title for all members of the Assembly was changed to “Representative to the Assembly” in 1969.

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