First Flag Day held in Waubeka

We all know June 14, or Flag Day, is a holiday to celebrate the adoption of our country’s flag, but most do not know it originated in Waubeka in Ozaukee County by  school teacher Bernard Cigrand. Cigrand taught his pupils the history of the flag and had them write essays on the flag's significance. On June 14, 2004, the 108th U.S. Congress voted unanimously on H.R. 662 that Flag Day originated in Ozaukee County, Waubeka, Wisconsin. 

To celebrate the 130th Flag Day, the Waubeka Americanism Center will be observing Flag Day on Saturday. I hope you will join me at the program, parade, and family day. The parade will feature over 100 different groups, ranging from scout troops to military units. Family day begins at the end of the parade on the grounds of the Americanism Center, featuring games and prizes, as well as fireworks at dusk.

In a contest, students continue to write essays on the significance of the flag. Several winners are from the 20th Senate District.

Waubeka Flag Day Observation
Saturday, June 13
Americanism Center 
4200 Valley View Dr. 
Waubeka, WI 53021

Last week, I had a positive meeting with Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. I told him my requirement to vote for the budget.

Prevailing wage repeal for local units of government must be included in the budget. This common sense reform ensures the most efficient use of our taxpayer dollars.

This repeal will save local units of government – counties, schools, towns, villages & cities – at least a half billion dollars the next two years. My commitment is to protect taxpayers and provide relief to local units of government.

Last week I made my position clear that my vote on the budget is solely dependent on full repeal for local units of government – all other provisions are negotiable.  Since then, it has become clear that an effort is underway to draft a compromise package of “reforms” to be included in the budget.  These “reforms” would likely include exempting a limited number of entities, tweaking the methodology for collecting wage data, and increasing certain project thresholds.  In my eyes, this sort of “reform” is unacceptable.

As uncomfortable to some as these negotiations may be, I will not back down from my position that this budget must include full repeal for local units of government – anything less is unacceptable.

Pain-Capable Bill Sent to Assembly

Tuesday, I voted with my Senate colleagues to approve the Pain Capable Abortion bill prohibiting abortions for babies who can feel pain.

This bill brings our state into the 21st Century. Through medical advancements and substantial medical evidence, we know babies aborted after 20 weeks can feel pain.

This bill will protect the lives of pain capable unborn children. The pain suffered during an abortion is additional proof these babies are members of our human family.

As a state, it is important we protect the lives of the most vulnerable.

Bi-partisan support for two bills

One of the first votes I took in the Senate was to remove the 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases. As a strong supporter of our 2nd amendment rights, I supported removal of the mandatory waiting period for law-abiding citizens to purchase handguns.

Wisconsin still requires background checks for handgun purchases. Often checks are completed within 48-hours. The moment a check clears no law-abiding citizen should be prohibited from taking possession of their firearm. In fact, current Wisconsin law does not have a waiting period for rifles and shotguns. Senate Bill 35 now heads to the Governor's desk.

The second bill (SB 70) was approved by both the Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday.

Once signed by the Governor, the bill will allow off-duty and retired police officers to carry on or near school grounds.

We all know police officers are trained in various situations to keep us safe. These trained professionals keep all of our families safe.

Both bills were approved with bi-partisan support.