Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a busy few weeks in the State Legislature. I’m disappointed to report that Republicans are rushing legislation through both houses of the Legislature, seemingly to avoid public scrutiny and public opposition. 

Rushing bills through the legislative process is, put simply, a bad way to govern.  There must be time to examine and review bills as they make their way through the process, and time for the public to weigh in.  Earlier this year, Republicans cut public hearings short and eliminated citizens from being heard regarding the budget “repair” bill.  This action not only limits public input, it also limits legislators’ ability to respond to constituents’ concerns.

This is why so many Democratic legislators, including myself, held listening sessions on the state budget throughout the state.  You may have been at the listening session I hosted at Gateway Technical College last month. We heard from over 100 Racine residents who oppose the Governor’s budget proposal, and from a few residents who supported provisions in the Governor’s budget. I am honored to be your state Representative and I will always strive to ensure that all of you, as constituents and citizens of our state, are heard.

Here are just two examples of bills that I have opposed that Republicans have recently rushed through the legislature:  

• Dirty Drinking Water Bill, Assembly Bill 23
  • This bill prohibits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from requiring a municipal water system served by groundwater to provide continuous disinfection of its water.   
  • Disinfecting drinking water is one of the most successful advances in public health in our history. AB 23 directly threatens public health by removing the requirement that drinking water is disinfected.
  • Cryptosporidium outbreaks in Wisconsin made 400,000 Milwaukee residents sick back in 1993. One important tool for reducing pollution is requiring municipalities to continuously disinfect their water supplies.
  • I offered multiple amendments to this bill on the Assembly floor yesterday afternoon as a means to strengthen this bill and to safeguard the public from the tremendous public health threats that will result from dirty drinking water. I was disappointed that, in lockstep, Republicans rejected every single of the amendments that I and my Democratic colleagues offered.
• Voucher Schools, Assembly Bill 92 & Assembly Bill 94  
  • Republicans rushed this bill through yesterday as well, shifting funding from public schools to unaccountable voucher schools.
  • Defunding our public schools is the worst thing the state can do for economic development and protecting its future.
  • I strongly opposed this bill yesterday and will oppose future efforts to expand voucher schools to Racine. I am focused on protecting and enhancing our public schools.         

A landslide of controversial legislation is being used to hide from a terrible budget that makes funding choices the people of Wisconsin oppose. I will keep you updated on these bills as they move quickly through the Assembly. Do not hesitate to contact my office directly at (888) 534-0062 or via email at Rep. Mason@legis.wi.gov with any questions or concerns that you have. Please also visit my legislative website at ADDRESS to see my recent statements and other announcements

Sincerely,

Join me for a Paddle on the Root River Saturday, May 21^st!

Celebrate the New Root River Watershed Restoration Planning effort by participating in a new kayak & canoe launch at Island Park in Racine! Join me for a fun paddle on the Root River and enjoy the great view of Racine’s natural beauty.  “Meet the Root River” Spring Paddle is a public event open to all.

Please register for the paddle by the end of this week.

Costs 

• $6.00 includes shuttle & water bottle
• $5.00 per watercraft rental includes paddles and life jacket
• $5.00 / person lunch not including beverage.

For more information please visit: http://www.uwp.edu/departments/community.partnerships/events/documents/MeetRootPaddle2011Flyer.pdf