Rep. Radcliffe's Legislative Update

Welcome to 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.

After a month of committee meetings and public hearings, we are back in session tomorrow to vote on some important bills, and tonight the Governor will be speaking on this past year during his State of the State address.

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




At the Capitol


State of the State

Tonight at his State of the State Address, Governor Walker will provide us with his views of this past year and present his plans for 2012.

You can watch the State of the State, live at 7:00pm here (on WisconsinEye).


Technical Diploma Bill Update

Workforce development and education is essential to help get Wisconsin's economy moving again. Unfortunately, we have seen months of job loss and little help from the state to put Wisconsinites back to work. My technical diploma bill, which allows students to earn a diploma that recognizes their technical skills, is a solid step forward in workforce development.

I introduced this bill after hearing from students and businesses alike that the jobs are out there, but we don't have enough qualified workers to fill them. This bill creates an opportunity for local school districts to work with business and manufacturing to train current high school students for these jobs now. This bill isn't a mandate, and schools can choose to provide a technical diploma that focuses on the skills that are most important in their local economies.

Yesterday, the Senate was in session and voted unanimously to pass my technical diploma bill. This is a huge step forward toward the creation of this essential program that will enable all students to succeed after high school.

You can see the bill, as introduced in the regular session, here.


African American History Month

February is African American History Month, a month dedicated to creating awareness of the history of African Americans. It has been celebrated since 1976 and every US President since then has officially recognized February as African American History Month. This years theme is "Black Women in American Culture and History" in honor of their labor, leadership, and intellect which have enriched the nation. (Each year the theme is chose by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.)

         


Update: Legislation Introduced to Lift Cap on Family Care

Legislation has been introduced in the Assembly to follow the federal government's order to lift Wisconsin's cap on Family Care. I will keep you updated on the progress of this bill as it moves through the legislative process.

Family Care is a Medicaid program that provides support services for adults and seniors with physical and developmental disabilities. It allows these individuals to stay at home and be cared for by family members rather than live in nursing homes. The 2011-2013 biennium budget originally imposed an enrollment cap on this important program, leaving about 9,000 people on a waiting list for services.

After only six months with the current caps, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have ordered the State of Wisconsin to lift the caps and immediately enroll anyone waiting to join Family Care. According to the Governor, the Dept. of Health Services has found the $80 million necessary to pay for the increased enrollment, and will fully fund it.


Reminder: Get Your ID For Voting Online

If you already have a voting ID, but have recently moved or it has expired, you can now order your photo ID for voting purposes online at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles website and receive it in the mail. You only have the option of ordering a new ID online if you already have a photo ID and need to update it. If you are getting a state-issued photo ID for the first time, you still have to visit your local DMV with appropriate documentation of your identity.

This change will make it easier for all individuals to get their state-issued IDs before the Presidential primary this February.

See all of the available online DMV services here.

New Voter ID Website Launched

The Government Accountability Board just launched a new website outlining the most important things to know about the Voter ID law for the upcoming election. The website, Bring it to the Ballot, which you can find at bringit.wisconsin.gov,  explains what IDs you can use to vote and how to get a free state ID card.

Voter ID Law

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 February.
-  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.