I will be holding listening sessions with Sen. Terry Moulton on two separate days this month to hear your comments about the 2013-2015 budget – Assembly Bill (AB) 40 – and other legislative priorities. Getting feedback from my constituents really gives me the chance to know what folks see as the most pressing local and state issues.

My primary focus in these listening sessions is hearing from the people I represent. Before the Assembly debates the budget on the floor, I want to hear from as many people as possible. I know folks are really busy right now with school ending and summer starting, but I really appreciate constituents taking the time to stop by to let me know their thoughts. For that reason, we have spaced these sessions out on two separate days across the 67th Assembly District. These will be informal drop-in sessions, and it is my hope that you will be able to stop by one of the sessions and tell me about your budget concerns, suggestions, and opinions.

Monday, May 20th
10:00-11:30 am
Elk Mound Village Hall Board Room
E206 Menomonie St, Elk Mound

12:30-2:00pm
Sand Creek Public Library
E9311 County Road I, Sand Creek

Friday, May 31st
9:00-10:30am
Cornell City Council Chambers
222 Main St, Cornell

11:15am-12:45pm
Cadott Village Hall
110 Central St, Cadott

I hope to see you there! If you are unable to attend, you may also call or email my office at any time to share your budget comments and/or email the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) directly at BudgetComments@legis.wi.gov. 

JFC is continuing to review specific agency budget provisions in AB. The committee held its second executive session on April 30 and eliminated $2.8 million in bonding from Governor Walker’s original proposal. The next executive session will be this coming Thursday, May 9. I invite you to watch past and future sessions on WisconsinEye.

Once JFC completes its executive sessions, it will introduce a substitute amendment to AB 40 that includes all of JFC’s changes. The substitute amendment will then come before the full Assembly for a vote.

I have heard concerns from several constituents about a provision in AB 40 that would repeal section 710.02 of the Wisconsin Statutes, which caps the amount of land foreign residents or corporations may own in Wisconsin. I oppose repealing section 710.02 because I think repealing it would be a signal to foreign companies to buy up Wisconsin land in the service of who knows what agendas. For that reason, I joined several of my colleagues in signing on to a budget motion to delete this provision from the budget and leave 710.02 intact. The Assembly co-chair of JFC has indicated the committee will not consider repealing section 710.02, so current law will remain in place.

This week, the Assembly will be in session on Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 8. We will be taking up a number of bills and resolutions, and I encourage you to view the sessions live or afterwards on WisconsinEye. To preview the legislation to be discussed, you can use the Legislature’s InSession feature on the home page.

I am very pleased with the response my 2013 spring survey has received so far. Over 300 constituents have replied to the hardcopy survey, and almost 100 of you completed the online version. My staff and I are busy reviewing your comments, and I hope to share the results in the near future.