At the State of the State, Governor Evers declared 2023 “The Year of Mental Health”! As the Ranking Member on the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Prevention, I am well aware of the serious nature of the need for mental healthcare in Wisconsin right now, our mental healthcare deserts, our challenges, and Governor Evers’ and my firm resolve to make progress, swiftly. I am ready to work alongside Governor Evers to expand the quality and reach of mental health resources for Wisconsinites. 

“The state of mental health in Wisconsin is a quiet, burgeoning crisis that I believe will have catastrophic consequences for generations if we don’t treat it with the urgency it requires. Mental and behavioral health is as much a health issue as it is an economic one: it affects kids in the classroom; it affects workers being able to join and stay in our workforce; it affects whether folks are able to stay in safe housing or have economic security; it affects folks’ ability to take care of and provide for their family and loved ones.” -Gov. Evers, State of the State 2023

The People’s Governor recapped accomplishments from the last 4 years, and set a vision for the next 4:

• 2023 The Year of Mental Health

• Wisconsin is in the best economic position in its history.

• K-12 schools under Scott Walker had dropped badly in the nationwide rankings but have now returned to the top 10 in the country!

• Shared Revenue: Governor Evers wants to send up to 20 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue back to our local communities for shared revenue–our local cities are begging for help, and Governor Evers is responding.

• Childcare: Governor Evers expanded the Child and Dependent Care Credit, invested more than $22 million into the Partner Up! program, and will be providing over $340 million for Child Care Counts. We need affordable, accessible child care.

• When Governor Evers took office in 2019, Wisconsin “trailed the country in start-ups and small business creation”--we were known as “one of the worst states for start-ups”. New business formations increased by 42% between 2019 and 2021. The Main Street Bounceback grant program, and other investments, are working! Thank you, Governor Evers!

• Wisconsin has been fixing the darn roads (Gov. Evers even fixed some himself!), and expanding high-speed internet access. 

• The PFAS Action Plan + over 1,000 contaminated wells are being addressed across our state.

At the Governor’s Residence after the speech, Governor Evers and I were STILL JAZZED from the progress we have made over the last 4 years, especially compared to the previous 8. The legislature gathered with the Governor to celebrate–what an exciting night! 

Sunday, January 22nd, was the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Instead of a celebration, we continue to fight back to Restore Roe. Over a thousand people marched in Madison in support of reproductive healthcare on the anniversary.

On Monday, Wisconsin Democrats introduced a joint resolution asking voters in April 2024 whether they support repealing the 1849 criminal abortion ban. Legislative Democrats are committed to repealing our state’s archaic abortion ban and restoring Roe in Wisconsin. We need to #RestoreRoe. 

This should be on your ballot. You should have a voice. You deserve that. Wisconsin elected Republicans cannot continue to ignore the will of the people. The will of the people should be the law of the land.

Recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, LRB-1410

Joint Resolutions are a way for the entire legislature to officially recognize a date, event, or person. This bipartisan resolution is a way for the legislature to recognize the danger and reality of human trafficking in our community, and I was proud to sign as a co-sponsor. 
 

Advisory Referendum on 1849 Abortion Ban, LRB-1541

We must live and legislate with empathy and compassion. Abortion is a decision to be made by a patient and their doctor, a decision that should not be made, or interfered with, by the government. I am proud to support this referendum which would let Wisconsinites vote in the 2024 spring election on whether the Wisconsin legislature should repeal the archaic 1849 criminal abortion law. While this referendum is non-binding, meaning it would not change the law, it would send a strong message to Republicans in the legislature that members of our community do not want their bodies controlled by outdated and archaic laws. (Wisconsin does not allow for binding resolutions.)
 

Recognizing February as American Heart Month, LRB-1336

Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in Wisconsin.  This resolution will bring awareness to the danger of cardiovascular disease and shed light on what it means to live a heart-healthy life!

On Tuesday, my staff met with visitors from various credit unions in Wisconsin such as Landmark, Summit, and the UW Credit Union. In Wisconsin, 61 percent of residents are members of a credit union. 

My staff will take a Capitol meeting on my behalf on days I’m in the district–we are one team in the office dedicated to the district, and I am proud to have Bryce and Ben in Madison every day working for the people of the 14th!

Happy Lunar New Year! The Lunar New Year began on Sunday and continues for 15 days, up until the next full moon. Wishing peace and love to all who are celebrating.

This celebration on Sunday was interrupted  by tragedy when a mass shooting occurred at a Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park, CA. We have now seen almost 40 mass shootings in less than 30 days in the United States in 2023. Gun violence is a public health issue, and we must act. Our nation NEEDS to do something about this issue. Every person deserves to be and feel safe in their community.

This month of January, we raise awareness for human trafficking throughout Wisconsin and across the country and globe. Read my op-ed on human trafficking here.

Happy birthday, Milwaukee! While Wisconsin is almost 175, Milwaukee is 177! I was thrilled to join Governor Evers, County Executive David Crowley and Mayor Johnson, as well as many other public officials, members of the press club, and milwaukeeans and fans of Milwaukee last night to celebrate!

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, to honor the lives of the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. 

May we remember and educate to prevent tragedies like these from happening again.