This week was an important week in the State Legislature: both the Senate and Assembly passed the 2019-2021 budget bill, which will dictate state spending for the next two years. Shortly, it will be delivered to Governor Evers, who can pass or veto parts or all of the legislation. A full veto of the budget hasn't been done since 1931. Since there are so many important priorities included in the budget, I am hopeful Governor Evers will act promptly and sign it into law. 

A few important items in the budget for our area include grant funding for Northcentral Technical College's inmate training programs; funding for child welfare services, which are much needed due to the opioid crisis impacting our area and our state; an increase in rates for public defenders and new assistant district attorney positions; and funding for K12 and special education. 

The budget that was passed by the Legislature also includes new revenue for transportation; funding for workforce development; funding for health care; and tax cuts for middle class folks. Overall, I am proud of the budget that we agreed on; it includes priorities of Governor Evers, each house of the legislature, and, ultimately, the people of Wisconsin. I am waiting eagerly to see Governor Evers' decision on the budget bill. 

Summer Recess 

For the next few months, the Legislature will have a brief recess. This means that I will be spending more time in Wausau, and less time in Madison! Committees will still meet occasionally,  but the Assembly will not be convening to vote on legislation during this time. 

Summer recess is a great opportunity for me to hear from you! I will still be hosting monthly office hours; my staff will still be available and responsive to questions and concerns; and I will have more time to meet one-on-one with constituents, meet with groups, and attend in-district activities. If you want to meet, or would like me to attend an event, please reach out! 

Lastly, during this time of recess, my e-update will become less frequent--less happening in Madison means less to update you about! Nonetheless, I will still be available through office hours or individual meetings if you have questions or concerns. You can visit my website to view upcoming office hours, or request a meeting! 

The Speaker's Task Force on Adoption will be hosting their second meeting next week, Tuesday, July 2nd in Green Bay. This meeting will be the closest one to Wausau, so I encourage interested individuals to attend! If you're interested in participating, but are unable to attend, feel free to submit comments online. 

The hearing will begin at noon, with testimony from UW Green Bay, Tribal Communities, and Social Services Departments from NE WI. Following these speakers, the public will have an opportunity to comment. For more information, check out the hearing notice, or the committee's website!

On Thursday, I was featured in an article by News Channel 7 regarding foster care. As many of you know, last session I was co-chair of the Speaker's Task Force on Foster Care. We learned of the myriad challenges that exist within our child welfare system, and passed 11 bills that were signed into law to help our foster youth. This only scratched the surface of the challenges we face, so co-chair Doyle (D-Onalaska) and I have continued researching ways to make our system more effective. 

One area that we are looking at is the termination of parental rights. Let me be clear: this is not to be taken lightly. Parents have fundamental rights to parent their children. Unfortunately, I hear all too often about parents that don't even make an effort to be reunited with their children after the kids have been removed from the home. These are the situations where we would like to make terminating parental rights more expeditious.

It is imperative that parents who have had their children removed have opportunities to rehabilitate and become capable parents. However, when a parent is unable or unwilling, after plenty of opportunity, to be a parent, their children should be given the opportunity for stable, loving and permanent homes. 

Recent federal and state law changes have aimed to strike that balance. The federal Family First Prevention Services Act puts more funding towards prevention services, rather than congregate homes (group homes are proven to result in worse outcomes for children). Likewise, the state budget puts more funding towards child protective services and prevention services to help foster youth and biological parents. The legislation we are researching now comes after the services, when parents have proven themselves unwilling or unable to be parents.  

As I continue this research, I would appreciate hearing the perspective of those that have encountered the child welfare system. Let me know your thoughts and experiences! 

Next week is the Fourth of July! For the occasion, my office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th. We will respond to any concerns or questions on Monday, July 8th when the office reopens! In the meantime, have a wonderful, safe holiday week! May we all responsibly enjoy the freedoms this country offers!