Rep. Radcliffe's Legislative Update

Welcome to the News from the 92nd, my legislative newsletter. So much of what happens in Madison directly affects folks in the 92nd District, and I want to make sure that you can stay informed about what's happening at the Capitol and in our community.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! Today I have information about recent public hearings on some important bills that we will likely vote on during session in January, the Fort McCoy Geocache event, and more.

It is a privilege to serve as your Representative, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have.

Sincerely,

Mark Radcliffe
State Representative
92nd Assembly District


Happy New Year!

"Let our New Year's resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word."

- Göran Persson
(Former Prime Minister of Sweden)





At the Capitol


Vocational Diploma Bill Update

Because of the end of the special session, I reintroduced my vocational diploma bill for the 2012 regular session - with a couple of changes that make sure that the vocational diploma maintains the same standards as the current high school diploma. This will ensure that students earning their vocational diplomas will have the necessary technical skills they need for the workforce, and also have the ability to attend a university or technical school if they decide to change paths. You can see the bill, as introduced in the regular session, here.

I proposed this legislation after talking to students and businesses alike that feel there is a gap between the skills of the current workforce and the positions that businesses need to fill. While college is an admirable goal, not all kids attend, and it is our responsibility to educate all students so that they will be prepared for the real world, regardless of their post high school plans. My vocational diploma legislation will serve as an important link between high school and employment for students across the state.


New Mining Legislation Introduced

The Assembly Republicans introduced a mining bill this past month that streamlines mining regulations and simplifies the permitting process for companies that want to mine in Wisconsin. The push for this bill began when the company Gogebic Taconite (GTac) proposed a mine in Iron County, near Ashland, but hesitated to begin the process because they feel that Wisconsin's current permitting policy is too strict and takes too long. After being introduced, the legislation was referred to the Committee on Jobs, Economy, and Small Businesses  - circumventing the Committee on Natural Resources and disregarding the environmental impact of the bill.

Only a few days later, the Committee on Jobs, Economy and Small Business held a public hearing in Milwaukee (which is a seven hour drive from the proposed mine site) to hear public input on the bill. In Milwaukee, Committee members listened to nearly eleven hours of testimony both for and against the mine. You can see the public hearing here.

The Senate has not yet introduced its version of the mining legislation, so it will be some time before we see a final bill. I will follow this bill closely as it moves through the Legislature and keep you updated on its progress. You can click here to see the non partisan Legislative Reference Bureau's analysis of the bill as well as the bill text.


Save BadgerCare

The 2011-2013 biennium budget eliminated over $600 million from the Department of Health Services' (DHS) budget and a few months ago, DHS announced that it would work to reduce spending my putting caps on important programs, increasing the cost for Wisconsinites to receive state insurance, and making the Department more efficient.

Unfortunately, the majority of the reforms offered by DHS will hurt our most vulnerable by increasing costs and penalties and make eligibility for BadgerCare more difficult. They are also likely to force thousands off of the BadgerCare Plus program - leaving them without insurance.

Save BadgerCare is a coalition of non-profits and individuals that are working to educate Wisconsinites about the negative effects of these cuts. Click here to learn more.


Reminder: Updated Voter ID Rules

Since the passage of the Voter ID law, which requires people - even if they're already registered voters - to bring a photo ID to the polls, there has been a lot of confusion about the new rules.

Here are some important changes to remember as you navigate the new voting process:
- Corroboration is no longer an acceptable way to prove where you live. If you are not registered to vote at your current address and your ID does not list your current address, you must provide proof of residence in the form of a utility bill or lease when registering to vote. See a full list of acceptable proof of residence here.
- You will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls at every upcoming election but do not technically have to do so until the 2012 Spring Primary in April.
-  Only certain government-issued IDs will be accepted at the polls. See a full list of IDs here.
- If you do not have any of the IDs listed, you can get a free state identification card at your local DMV. You must tell the DMV that the ID is for voting purposes to receive it free of charge, otherwise the cost is $28.


Reminder: Blue Books

We have received many requests for the 2011-2012 Blue Books already, and for those of you that have asked for one: your book is on the way! We do still have Blue Books available if you are interested.

Blue Books are packed with information about the organization and functions of state government and about the people that represent Wisconsinites at the Capitol. Please email me with your address or call my office to request a free copy.