Cocktails-to-go Bill

I'm happy to announce that on February 11th, my Cocktails-to-Go Bill passed unanimously through the Assembly Committee on State Affairs. Wisconsin's restaurants and taverns have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic and providing them with an additional source of income is essential to helping them survive this pandemic. This bill would allow restaurants and taverns with a Class B liquor license to sell mixed drinks with to-go orders. Thirty-three others states have already enacted similar legislation and I look forward to this bill passing out out of both legislative houses next month.

Green Bay Coal Piles

Brown County now controls the necessary land to finally relocate the coal piles in downtown Green Bay. Last Wednesday, the Brown County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to purchase 43.75 acres of the Pulliam Power Plant property from Wisconsin Public Service Corp. for $2.7 million. The purchase allows the opportunity to move C. Reiss Coal Co.'s operations off of its riverfront property next to the Mason Street bridge. This 60-year effort would create a $200 million economic development project in the heart of our city.  I have been working with local, county and federal officials on this effort for five years, and am encouraged by the continued progress in this long-term project.

Sexual Assault Kits Bill

Under current law, there is no statutory procedure for the collection or processing of sexual assault kits. My Sexual Assault Kits Bill creates guidelines for the procedure and timeline of sexual assault kit processing. I have worked with victim advocacy groups, health care professionals, and law enforcement agencies over the past two years to develop this legislation and ensure this critical, necessary piece of legislation is not only helpful to the justice system, but sensitive to the needs and concerns of sexual assaults survivors.  I will be testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday regarding this legislation.