Welcome to my latest e-update. Here is a summary from the past month as your State Representative.
A BIG NEW THING is that as of April 15th, state legislators are prohibited from sending out 50 or more pieces of identical materials from our office, including the e-update. We thought that meant we could continue posting our e-update on the web site, however we quickly learned that the “subscribe button” on mailchimp is not removable and could put us in jeopardy of breaking the Rule of 50. So, we immediately paused the newsletter until we could figure out what to do.
With the rule of 50 in place, our office has decided to transition to monthly e-updates for the summer. Our monthly e-update will be posted on our legislative website and social media, but cannot be sent directly to your inbox. We will have to remove all subscriptions until the Rule of 50 is over. If you have any questions regarding this rule, please let us know!
As always, previous updates are available on our website and social media.
Please contact our office with any questions or concerns. Forward together,
Robyn Vining
Happy 4th of July!
Former Alderwoman Allison Byrne happened to catch this magical moment when parade + candy turned into parade + candy + hugs.
As we know, shortly after we left the parade we learned of the devastating shooting in Highland Park, IL, and the concern that the shooter went to Madison next, and seriously considered opening fire there. Gun violence is not inevitable. Gun violence is a public health crisis. Gun violence is an epidemic. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We know what to do, so let’s do it.
Which leads us to the next update….
Update on Gun Safety
A Report from Constituents:
“Wauwatosa volunteers Andrea Fischer and Lindsay Atkinson attended an event celebrating the passage of The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act at the White House in mid-July. They were thrilled to be a part of this event, hear from President Biden and Vice President Harris, and to stand alongside gun safety advocates, and gun violence survivors. This historic legislation supports state red flag laws, disarms domestic abusers, clarifies who must run background checks, cracks down on gun trafficking, funds community violence intervention and more.”
-Andrea & Lindsay
From Rep. Vining:
President Biden addressed gun safety across the U.S. on July 11th with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a commonsense bipartisan proposal which creates clearer restrictions for, among others: domestic abusers, buyers under 21 years of age, and criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements. The proposal also provides funding for student learning and activities in school and mental health services for children.
The Biden Administration will continue urging Congress to take further legislative action to secure gun safety in America, and will use all available resources to battle gun violence. Gun safety is a priority for the White House, and it should be a priority here in Wisconsin as well.
DOJ Supports Regulating Ghost Guns as Federal Gun Violence Prevention Legislation Passes for First Time in Decades
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has joined a group of 20 states in filing an amicus brief supporting an important new federal rule regulating “ghost guns”: unserialized weapons that are often made at home from weapon parts, kits or partially complete frames and receivers. These guns can be purchased without background checks.
The rule would help ensure that buyers pass background checks before purchasing such kits and that law enforcement officers can trace any self-made guns that are later used in a crime. It would also limit gun traffickers’ ability to distribute these dangerous weapons.
“Treating ghost guns the same as other firearms will help make communities safer,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “This common-sense step to help fight gun violence should be upheld.”
The Milwaukee Delegation visited UWM on July 8th. As we begin to prepare for the next budget cycle (yes! Already!), we checked in with UWM on capital projects, construction and new spaces, and also visited areas for proposed projects so we can see with our own eyes what’s being asked, and speak with professors and administrators to understand the why behind the asks. Chancellor Mone also spent time with us, shared a presentation about UWM, and in our afternoon we were able to learn a lot about what’s going on at one of Wisconsin’s fabulous universities: the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (an R1 research university!).
A professor of neuropsychology talked to us about his work studying the plasticity of the brain and how it might be linked to Alzheimer’s (I think I got that right?), showed us his lab, and talked about his work with students. We also visited some chemistry labs, etc.
And, we visited a manufacturing partnership space and saw where code can be written, and then applied and tested.
We also took a very windy photo with the panther!
I’ve spoken on the Assembly floor both budget cycles about funding the UW system, and its 23:1 ROI— next budget debate is likely June 2023.
Green Homeowners United Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
A bunch of us from the Milwaukee Delegation joined Green Homeowners United, West Allis Mayor Dan Devine, and local West Allis alders Danna Kuehn and Angelito Tenorio, for a ribbon cutting in West Allis this month. Green Homeowners United seeks to reduce the effects of climate change while also cutting energy costs. Pictured alongside West Allis officials: Rep. Vining, Rep. Sinicki, Rep. Haywood, Rep. Moore Omokunde, and co-owner Kevin Kane.
The National Mental Health Crisis And Suicide Prevention line has a new number: 988
The new national suicide hotline number took effect July 16th and now anyone in the U.S. can text or call the number to be connected with a trained counselor during mental health emergencies. These counselors can also help direct callers to additional resources regarding mental health and substance use treatment.
988 services can be instructed in English or Spanish and uses a Language Line Solutions to provide translations in over 150 additional languages. Texting 988 will connect you to services currently available in English.
This number can also be contacted if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Both 988 and 1-800-273-8255 (the previous suicide hotline number) will connect you to the same services.
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month recognizes Bebe Moore Campbell’s dedication towards improving access to mental health services in Black and Brown communities that have been historically underserved. The month of July honors the unique experiences of individuals belonging to underrepresented identities and mental health journeys of these individuals and groups. This month provides the time for people to recognize people who are generally overlooked during conversations of the importance of receiving mental health services, and the unfair inequities–specifically systematic and historical barriers– that have poorly impacted an individual’s mental wellbeing.
Holding conversations about mental healthcare are equally important in July as they are in any other month! Mental HealthCare is Healthcare. #breakthestigma
As the ranking Democrat on the Committee of Mental Health, I have and will continue to work for prioritizing mental health services for all Wisconsinites. Mental healthcare is healthcare, and everyone deserves access to quality, affordable mental healthcare.
Rep. Vining Calls for Violence Prevention Efforts in Milwaukee
Went to bed thinking about this. Woke up thinking about this.
Homicides of women are up over 200% this year. Get mad. And demand action next session from your Republican-controlled legislature.
We cannot standby and watch this continue without fighting to protect women from violence and death. This is a worthy cause for the legislature. Protect women. Now.
Throughout my time in office I have continued to work to support violence survivors and prevent continued violence in our state. During both of my terms in office, I co-sponsored bills that aim to prevent violence in our communities.AB 458directed the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish a program to award grants to cities and counties to conduct violence prevention programs.
Throughout our current session’s budget process I fought for funding for violence prevention efforts even as members of the GOP eliminated countless provisions from the governor’s proposed budget.
Last October I was glad to support Governor Evers as he advocated for survivors of violence by making a $45 million investment in violence prevention and support for crime victims. Under the plan, $25 million went towards violence prevention efforts and $20 million to support victim services in Wisconsin.
It is clear that we must continue to advocate for violence prevention efforts to be prioritized in our state and by our legislature.
Session starts in January 2023. I’m working on my budget proposal items now.
If you work closely with victims and survivors of violence, please feel free to reach out with what you are seeing as needs.
To read more about Governor Evers investments clickhere.
Updates from the Supreme Court of Wisconsin (SCOWIS)
On July 8th, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled4-3 in favor of outlawing unstaffed drop boxes for elections, forcing voters to mail or hand-deliver absentee ballots to election clerks. Such a restriction only makes voting, a constitutional right, more challenging. Dropboxes provide contactless convenience for working families, individuals living with disabilities, those who are homebound, nursing homebound, and others who rely on dropboxes to cast their vote.
This is voter disenfranchisement. Our state values the hard work of every election clerk, poll worker, and election official - these citizens work tirelessly to ensure that every legal vote is counted at every election. They are quintessential for our state’s democracy. As the conservative majority attempts to instill more skepticism and distrust in our elections, they continue to strip away the voting rights of citizens - it is unjust, and it is un-American.
In addition, SCOWIS ruled in a 4-3 decision which grants health authorities the ability to take necessary action in order to stop the spread of communicable diseases without oversight from governing bodies. The lawsuit was initially developed during the height of the pandemic by two parents who challenged orders from Public Health Madison and the Dane County Director regarding indoor gatherings, school closures, and enforcing masks in indoor spaces.“Preserving the authority of local public health officials to be able to control communicable disease is a top priority for Wisconsin public health professionals,” says Dr. Geof Swain, president of the Wisconsin Public Health Association. “We were very pleased that authority was preserved in this ruling.” To learn more about the impacts of this ruling, click here
Lastly, on July 8th the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ruled that parents suing the Madison School District over gender identity policies could no longer remain anonymous to the opposing attorneys. The identities of parents suing the school district do not have to be disclosed to either the school district or the public. The 2018 adopted policy allows students to be referred to as their preferred name and pronouns without having to disclose this information to anyone, including the student’s guardians. A 2020 circuit court decision to temporarily suspend parts of the district’s guidance on gender identity following a group of anonymous parents and a conservtive law firm suing to overturn it.
As a member of the Assembly Committee on Health, supporter of the work of our election officials, and LGBTQ+ advocate and ally, you can count on me to continue to protect the rights of Wisconsinites to vote, rely on local health officials, and express their gender identities as they see fit.
(Our intern, Hannah, wrote these SCOWIS summaries. Thank you, Hannah!)
Conservation Champion Award
I am proud to be named a Conservation Champion by Wisconsin Conservation Voters! It is an honor to work to protect our air, water, land, and democracy! I received a score of 100% on the Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ 2021-22 Conservation Scorecard! I earned my 100% by casting votes to protect Wisconsin's air, water, land, and freedom to vote. Voters elected me to be a champion for our environment and democracy – and I’ve kept my promises. I will continue to fight for a cleaner, healthier future for all in our state.
I joined a bipartisan group of legislators on a letter requesting our federal Wisconsin delegation reauthorize, increase funding, and allow virtual home visiting for the Mother, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV). This program is very important to Wisconsin.
The Mother, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) is a federal grant program that supports home visits which promote the improvement of maternal and infant health. MIECHV addresses both mental and physical health assessments during a critical developmental period. Despite the success of the program, MIECHV has not received increased funding for nearly a decade, with pre-pandemic estimates suggesting that MIECHV only reached 3-5 percent of eligible families. The expansion of MIECHV will allow more families to access the vital care that they both need and deserve.
Rep. Vining Advocates for Working Families This Session
I am proud to have earned a 100% score from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO this legislative session. Wisconsin’s AFL-CIO continues the important work of fighting for economic and social justice for all working people.
I will always advocate for the working families of Wisconsin!
Happy Intern Appreciation Day
Yesterday, Thursday, July 28th, was Intern Appreciation Day! I am excited to introduce our summer intern, Hannah, who grew up right here in the 14th Assembly District!
We’ve been thrilled to have her join our office and appreciate all she has done for the people of AD14! This summer Hannah has been working on our social media, keeping up-to-date on news in the district, and helping research letters for our constituents. If there’s a graphic that you’ve loved on our Facebook or Instagram this summer, there’s a good chance Hannah made it!
Learn more about Hannah:
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
College/University: UW-Madison
Year of Study: Rising Junior, class of 2024
Majors: Legal Studies and Communication Sciences
My favorite place to get coffee around the Capitol: Wonderstate
My favorite policy or policy area is: Healthcare
A fun fact about me is: If I hear the first 5 seconds of a song, I can name the title and artist.
Favorite thing about interning with AD14: Being from the district, I am grateful to build upon both old and new relationships with my “neighbors”! There’s something really special about getting to help support your community in a way you never have before.
July is Disability Pride Month!
July is Disability Pride Month, and July 26th was National Independence Day ! On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals living with disabilities. This month allows us to take time to reevaluate how we define and think about “disabilities”. Disability Pride is designed to not only begin conversations about what disabilities are, it is also a time when people living with disabilities take pride in their unique experiences. This month lets all people see that what some consider “disabilities” are actually a natural and beautiful component of human diversity!
See Governor Evers’ proclamation honoring Disability Pride Month 2022HERE.
*please note we take very seriously in this office not just what we say, but how we say it. We debated back and forth, based on varying opinions, whether to use quotation marks around the word, “disabilities”. In the end we decided to use them. If you have an opinion otherwise, we are listening with love and, I hope—sensitivity.
Governor Evers Announces Release of 2022 Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access Annual Report
This month, Gov. Tony Evers’ Task Force on Broadband Access released its second annual report. The 2022 report provides an update on efforts under Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration to expand access, adoption, and affordability of high-speed internet across the state and makes recommendations for the state to continue building on this progress.
Since Gov. Evers took office in 2019, Wisconsin has disbursed or committed nearly $300 million towards expanding broadband! This includes $105 million in federal funding directed by the governor.
The 2022 report can be foundhere. More information about the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access, as well as the 2021 report can be foundhere.
Eid Al adha Mubarak!
Eid al-Adha Mubarak! To all those who celebrated, I hope this holiday brought joy and prosperity.
Third Annual Developmental Disability Professionals Day!
July 15th, 2022 marked the third annual Developmental Disability Professionals Day. This day is dedicated to recognizing the work completed by developmental disability professionals and the critical work you contribute to our community!
Developmental disability professionals provide services to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, work hard for positive change in our world, and deserve credit for advancing the rights of people with developmental disabilities.
This month we pause to say we value and appreciate you, your work, and your belief that all people are inherently valuable and important members of our society. Thank you!
Happy Belated National Postal Workers Day!
July 1st is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the efforts of postal workers across the nation. On that day, and everyday, I ask that each of us commemorate the work that these workers put in day after day. They play a vital part in our community! To all postal workers: we thank you!
COVID-19 Updates
This month, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties have seen significant increases in COVID-19 cases. According to CDC guidelines, it is a good idea to mask up indoors to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe and healthy!
Learn more about what DHS recommends for your county HERE.
The best protection against any variant of COVID-19, is to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot. All Wisconsinites ages 6 months and over are eligible for a FREE COVID-19 vaccine series. Additionally, all those 11 years or older who had their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, are eligible for a free booster shot. Getting your booster shot will provide the best protection from COVID-19, including the newer variants.
