Back in Session!

This week the Assembly held its first floor session for 2018, and I am very proud to have been able to work on and support a number of initiatives that keep Wisconsin moving in the right direction.  You might be surprised to know that, so far this session, over 90% of the bills that the Assembly has passed have received bipartisan support. I am very excited that this week's floor period continues to reflect our dedication to working together to make Wisconsin an even better state to live and work in. Here are a few highlights from this week's session.

Assembly Bill 653: I am very proud to have co-sponsored and supported this legislation, which expands the health care information that is  included in mammogram reports for women. AB 653 requires that density of breast tissue also be included within the summary of mammogram results (which women already receive after a mammogram). This is vital information, as higher breast density not only makes it more difficult to detect tumors, but is also a risk factor for breast cancer. Including tissue density information in mammogram summaries is an important step to ensuring that women have the facts they need in order to be better informed about their health. Over 250,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and although the number of survivors continues to grow, having access to necessary health information is an important component to early detection, prevention, and awareness. AB 653 unanimously passed the Assembly and will now be considered by the Senate.

Assembly Bill 565: This legislation eliminates the fees associated with placing a credit freeze on a credit report in the event that a security breach has occurred. Under current law, an individual who needs to place a freeze on their credit report can be charged a fee by the credit reporting agency (the three major agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).  AB 565 prohibits an agency from charging a fee for placing or removing a freeze on a credit report. In the event of a security breach, it is vital that consumers have easy access to a security freeze in order to protect their information. Eliminating this fee ensures that consumers are better able to protect their personal information in the event of a security breach. AB 565 passed unanimously in the Assembly and now heads to the Senate.

Unemployment Rate Ties for Lowest on Record

This week the Department of Workforce Development released the November and preliminary December employment estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report revealed some very positive news for the state of Wisconsin. Our state's unemployment rate dropped to 3.0%, which ties it with the lowest rate on record and makes it the lowest rate ever seen in the month of December. The report also showed that total labor force and employment are at an all time high. This data is certainly encouraging and shows that we are continuing to make important steps toward ensuring a strong economy and capable workforce here in Wisconsin. If you'd like to see the full press release on the report, click here.

Outdoor Winter Activities

Wisconsin is a beautiful state to enjoy all four seasons, and I'm hoping you'll take the time to enjoy some of Wisconsin's best winter activities! This Saturday, Wisconsin's free fishing weekend begins. You can enjoy fishing January 20-21 without needing to purchase a fishing license. You might also want to check out one of the many free fishing clinics that will be taking place across the state. This free fishing weekend is open to all residents and visitors to Wisconsin.

Snowmobiling is another popular winter activity here. I encourage any snowmobilers to review these important safety tips before taking to the trails. I'm wishing all snowmobilers a fun and safe sledding season!