On Tuesday, Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill delivered the State of the Tribes Address to a Joint Session of the Wisconsin State Legislature. The State of the Tribes Address is an opportunity for members of the Legislature to hear from the Tribal Nations on the condition of State and Tribal relations and on Tribal priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Chairman Hill relayed that, while there are areas of cooperation, there are still issues that need to be addressed. 

Following the State of the Tribes Address, the Legislature had the opportunity to honor our National Guard members. We were joined by members of the National Guard who have been serving our State and Nation by assisting in border stabilization efforts, such as preventing illicit drugs from coming into the country. Under Executive Order #13, Governor Evers withdrew consent for Wisconsin National Guard Members to aid in the border stabilization effort, therefore bringing all Wisconsin National Guard members back to Wisconsin. Tuesday was a great opportunity for us to honor their service to our State. Click on the photo above to view a short video about the ceremony! 

The last order of business on Tuesday was passing legislation including several Resolutions and bills. I was particularly enthused by two Resolutions: one congratulating the UW Stevens Point Men's Hockey Team on bringing home the Division 3 National Championship and the other designating April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Wisconsin. I was also pleased that legislation was brought forward that would eliminate tax exemptions for businesses moving out of the state. Under current law, businesses can deduct from its income or franchise tax liability expenses that were paid for the purpose of moving operations. Assembly Bill 10 eliminates that exemption for businesses that move operations out of state or out of the country. This is good policy that discourages businesses from leaving our state; I was proud to join all of my colleagues in supporting this legislation. 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned two bills that were heard in the Assembly Committee on Children and Families: AB 41 and AB 52. As a refresher, AB 41 prohibits the prosecution of a minor for prostitution if he or she is being sex trafficked. AB 52 allows 17 year olds to enter into shelter facilities if he or she is homeless. I was excited to hold my first executive session as Chairman this week to recommend passage of these two important bills to the entire Assembly. On a unanimous vote of 12-0, the Committee supported passing these bills through committee.

Budget Listening Session

Despite the weather, we had great turnout for the budget listening session that was held at the Marathon County Library today! Representative Amy Loudenbeck, who is the Assembly Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, drove up from southern Wisconsin to hear directly from constituents in the 85th Assembly District about the challenges facing North Central Wisconsin. We discussed transportation, education, and child welfare, among other topics. If you missed my budget listening sessions, there is still opportunity to share your thoughts! Feel free to contact my office with your thoughts, or reach out to set up a time for me to meet with you individually! 

Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal justice reforms have occurred in states across the country from the most blue state to the most red states. This week, Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) presented ideas for how to reduce incarceration, without sacrificing public safety, in Wisconsin. As you may recall, he was one of the legislators that collaborated with Governor Walker on a plan to close Lincoln Hills. The approaches he presented Thursday are a related set of policies that emphasize a people centered focus when it comes to criminal justice--including giving individuals that are incarcerated the tools that they need to succeed after they have served their time, such as mental health and/ or drug treatment; employment training; and educational opportunities. For more information, click here, or click this link to watch the presentation. 

2017-2018 Blue Books & maps (paper highway maps or laminated maps) are still available in my office! The Wisconsin Blue Book contains information on all things Wisconsin: your elected officials; census information; the official state dog, tree, flower, etc.; government processes; and so much more! Contact me for your free copy today!