Things are picking up here at the Capitol as we're nearing the fall session. This issue of the Sargent Voice discusses a recent public hearing on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), my child care tax credit bill, and my continued push for a $15 minimum wage in Wisconsin.

As always, if you have any topics you would like to see discussed in future issues of the Sargent Voice, please contact me at 608-266-0960 or Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov.

Forward,

WEDC Public Hearing

Our government must be transparent, open, and honest with its citizens. Last week there was a public hearing held in the Joint Audit Committee on the failing Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

Throughout its existence, WEDC has shown incompetence, repeatedly broken the law, and disrespected the taxpayers of our state. They are failing in their mission to create jobs. Wisconsin ranks 38th in private sector job creation. We are dead last in new business start-ups. Our middle class is shrinking faster than in any other state. None of this will change until we have a jobs agency that is operating in good faith with efficiency and full transparency.

How many more times is the Audit Committee going to have to listen to WEDC representatives state that their troubled past is behind them? How many more times are we going to hear that they have fixed their policies? How many more times are we going to hear that they are going to comply with the law from now on?

In the end, it’s all about jobs. If our hard working friends and neighbors do not have access to family sustaining jobs we cannot invest in the public good. When people work, by nature they are taxpayers who invest in the betterment of their community. These investments pay for our children’s education, support our elderly citizens, afford us hunting lands, roads, and so much more.

While WEDC assured the committee they have better policies and procedures in place, we can no longer take them for their word. As the ranking Assembly Democrat on the Joint Audit Committee, I will continue to follow-up with WEDC to ensure they are taking the Legislative Audit Bureau’s recommendations seriously and that they are complying with state statutes.

Childcare Affordability Bill

Our friends and neighbors in Wisconsin should be able to support their families with an honest day’s work, but for too many families child care costs prevent this from becoming a reality. As a mother of 4 who was paying for childcare until just a month ago, I know first-hand that rising child care costs are a major concern here in Wisconsin and across the nation.

I was proud to introduce introduced LRB 3224/1 with Rep. Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay) which would provide a tax credit for child care, making it more affordable for middle class families in Wisconsin.

Child care costs families more to put an infant in a child care center than to cover tuition and fees at a public college, according to a new analysis by Child Care Aware of America, a nonprofit advocacy group focused on child care access. Wisconsin was listed in this report as one of the 10 least affordable states for full-time infant care and full-time 4-year old care. The annual cost of infant care in Wisconsin is $10,775.

$15 min. wage Dane County

The people who go to work every day and quietly, tirelessly, thanklessly and with purpose work and create profits for there bosses should be provided the dignity of being able to pay their bills and take care of their families. They should not wonder if their kids have what they need to learn, or what they will eat for their next meal or where they will sleep. That's why I was thrilled to stand with my colleagues on the Dane County Board who are introducing a 15$ wage bill at the county level. And that's why I introduced and continue to champion a $15 min wage for the entire state.

Redistricting Reform

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. Sadly, we have seen a calculated effort by the Republicans over the past five years to control and restrict our electoral process. It all begins with redistricting. I was proud to stand with our Assembly Democratic freshmen as they presented their bill which would create non-partisan redistricting reform to hold elected officials accountable to voters.

Currently, state law mandates that the legislature adopt new district borders every 10 years. This bill assigns the authority to draw these borders to the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau and a to-be-created Redistricting Advisory Commission. This will help ensure fair borders even if one party controls all of state government. This model of redistricting has been used successfully in Iowa for more than 30 years.

The people should be choosing their elected representatives, not the other way around. This should be true no matter which party controls the redistricting process.The last round of redistricting cost Wisconsin taxpayers more than $2 million and resulted in maps drawn to gain one party maximum partisan advantage. We need a non-partisan process in place now to prevent abuse down the road.

*UPDATE* - Upskirting Legislation

Everyone in our communities should have the freedom to feel space in public area. They should not feel unsafe grocery shopping, riding the bus, or standing in line at the movies. Earlier this session, I introduced a bill which would close a loophole in state law that was allowing perpetrators of upskirting (taking a picture up a person's skirt without their knowledge) to get away with only minor charges.

The loophole is based on whether or not the victim was wearing underwear at the time. Clearly, this makes no sense, and the loophole must be fixed. These victims are being forced to go on the witness stand in a courtroom with someone defining whether or not their underwear was sheer or fully covering. That is egregious and cannot continue.

Sadly, there was another incident of upskirting in Madison just last week. I simply do not understand why the Senate has taken this long to bring the bill to the floor but I am optimistic that the bill will pass and be signed by the Governor within the next month.

This legislation is not a partisan issue and is something we should all agree on.

To see the latest WKOW story on the bill, click HERE.

Wind Farm Tour

I recently had the opportunity to tour an Alliant Energy wind farm. Wind power is clean, reliable, cost-effective, and bolsters our renewable energy portfolio. We have but this one earth to call home. It comes to us with a rich history.

However, our actions today should be taken with the future in mind. I believe strongly in the Native American concept that the current generation has a moral and cultural obligation to consider the impact on the next seven generations. This foresight is essential to provide a sustainable world for our children and those who come after them. 

Wisconsin can drive innovation by coming up with new and unique ways to shift our energy system away from polluting fossil fuels and towards energy efficiency and sustainability. All while creating jobs, kick-starting our economy, and providing opportunity for our future generations.

Open Records under attack in Wisconsin

After trying to eliminate open records entirely in the budget process, records show that Speaker Robin Vos later sought to weaken open records laws so they are only subject to legislative rules rather than statute. This Republican assault on democracy is outrageous and should give every Wisconsinite pause.

In recent years, open records requests have helped shed light on everything from potential corruption at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to criminal activity that led to the convictions of six of the governor’s former aides, as well as the revelation that major mining company donors re-wrote large sections of Wisconsin’s environmental laws. Open records law allows the public to see behind the closed doors of government. It allows for a more transparent process. For Speaker Vos to try and change this law says to me that he has something to hide.


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September 18, 2015
Issue 61

Please join me in welcoming the fabulous Sarah to Team Sargent. Sarah is a sophomore at UW Madison and an intern in our capitol office. She is already proving to be an amazing addition to our team! A legislative internship at the Capitol is an excellent way to gain valuable real life experience about everyday operations of the Wisconsin State Legislature and the state's legislative process. Intern responsibilities vary, but include policy research, constituent outreach, and general office operations. I always like to make our interns experience at the Capitol unique. I have invited interns along on business tours, allowed them to sit in on committee meetings, and let them see the controlled chaos of a full floor day. Applicants must be able to work during normal business hours, and dedicate a minimum of 10-12 hours each week to the internship. All intern positions are unpaid and are based at the Capitol (though we do in-district work as well). To apply for an internship, please email me at Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov or call 608-266-0960 and speak with Aaron to get more information.