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Weekly E-Update

Happy Friday! I hope you are all safe after the snow storm–here’s a look at a very busy week! I had hearings, met with nurses, restaurateurs, hospitality industry professionals, an Alzeimer’s advocate and neighbor, local students visiting the Capitol, advocates and activists and organizers from Madison and Milwaukee, and many colleagues regarding shared work on behalf of our constituents. There were many efforts this week to find bipartisan solutions on critical issues, like mental health, and childcare. We are working hard with our constituents in mind—may we find ourselves a year from now with meaningful products of this important work.

It’s truly and honor to represent you, and work on your behalf.

-Rep. RBV

Wauwatosa East Orchestra!

I had SO MUCH FUN welcoming the Tosa East Concert Orchestra to the Capitol Concerts for “Music in our Schools Month.”

The music filled the rotunda and it was a beautiful day at the Capitol!


Families of the musicians: stay tuned. I asked the Capitol photographers to take photos for you and we will send a zip file to the school.
Economic Justice Bill of Rights Press Conference

Wisconsin Democrats have once again introduced our Economic Justice Bill of Rights–this is an updated version of the vision after discussions with organizers and stakeholders. My gratitude to Rep. Hong and Rep. Shelton for their leadership.

 

I am a co-sponsor of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights because I believe that every Wisconsinite–urban, suburban, or rural, white, African American, APIDA, Latinx, or Native, LGTBTQ+, and people of all ability statuses–are entitled to these rights. 


When I came in as a freshman legislator 5 years ago, I began using the charge, “Forward Together”, and I did that because I believe that if we do not move forward together, we have not moved forward at all. This bill of rights ensures every Wisconsinite of basic human rights, moving Wisconsin Forward Together.

 

We declare that the Economic Justice Bill of Rights includes the following: 

  • A job that provides dignity at work and pays a living wage

  • Adequately funded public education and affordable, accessible child care

  • A union, public or private, and collective bargaining

  • Affordable, accessible, and comprehensive high-quality health care

  • A clean, sustainable environment and healthy planet

  • Decent, sustainable community infrastructures including safe, affordable housing, transportation, and broadband

  • Equitable access to capital, investments, financial institutions, and retirement

  • A fair, restorative, and equitable justice system 

  • Recreation and participation in community and civic life

  • Life, self-determination, and freedom from oppressions

With liberty and justice for all.
CEX Crowley Affordable Housing

County Executive David Crowley signed a resolution that allocates over $9 million for much-needed affordable housing contracts in Milwaukee County. This legislation makes use of the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, which distributes funds from the federal government to be used for expanding affordable housing in Milwaukee.

Affordable housing projects will be directed towards the county’s suburbs, including 56 new affordable rental units on W. North Avenue in Wauwatosa, and 17 affordable units at the Mayfair Collection, also in Wauwatosa! These rental units would provide affordable, independent living options for residents living with disabilities. The developer is also partnering with AbleLight, a non-profit human services organization that works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the project.

Read County Executive David Crowley’s press release on the affordable housing resolution here.
 

“For generations, county residents have been prevented from securing affordable housing due to discrimination at all levels of government, discrimination in the home finance industry, and the prejudiced attitudes of a small, but fervent group of residents.

"Thanks to partners at the municipal, state, and federal levels we are reversing generations of neglect and taking significant steps toward our goals to transform Milwaukee County neighborhoods."

-County Executive David Crowley


“I supported the American Rescue Plan because it is helping communities across Wisconsin build back stronger from the pandemic, and I am proud this investment will help more of our neighbors find affordable housing while increasing equity across the county.”  

-U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin

Children's Caucus Discusses The Childcare Crisis

This is what International Women’s Day looked like at the Capitol as we grappled yet again with how to address the childcare crisis. This crisis doesn’t belong solely to women, but it does disproportionately affect women when we do not have affordable, accessible, quality childcare. The bicameral (senate and assembly) Children’s Caucus met this week to discuss the absolutely desperate need for affordable, accessible, quality childcare right now.

This hits home for me hard. As a small business owner who couldn’t afford more than two days of childcare a week, I worked long days those two days, and I also worked every naptime, and nearly every night from 10pm-2am. And weekends. It was very difficult, and it’s not a sustainable solution. We must do better, we can do better, let’s do better.

This is a workforce development issue. This is an economic infrastructure issue. This is a human issue.

If we don’t come together and put up some sustainable solutions—or temporary help so society can build long-term sustainable solutions–we will be in a world of trouble far worse than the very difficult place we are in right now.

The Governor’s Childcare Counts program is important. Thank heavens for that. And. We need to do more. Wisconsinites need us to do more.

Jobs, Economy, and Small Business Development Informational Hearing Job
The committee held an informational hearing this week with invited speakers to discuss Wisconsin’s economy.

Through federal pandemic aid to our state, Gov. Evers has invested in small businesses, farmers, and tourism. This includes support for more than 100,000 small businesses, and nearly 3,000 of those businesses have opened up new storefronts all across Wisconsin.

“We begin this biennium in the best fiscal position we’ve ever been in our 175-year statehood.

“This is a breakthrough budget, one that has rarely—if ever—come along in our state’s history. And with this opportunity comes responsibility—today, we carry the weight of posterity.”

-Governor Tony Evers

  • Wisconsin ranked 1st in the country in aid allocated to businesses
  • Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the Midwest for allocating federal aid funds during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the country for aid directed to economic development

Because of Governor Evers decisive leadership, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is 2.8%, one of the lowest in state history!!

Research in the Rotunda

Research in the Rotunda day in Madison! 

UW students from around the state presented their research—our district doesn’t have any students here this year, so we cheered on everyone else!

State Budget Listening Sessions

 

Joint Finance Listening Sessions. The Committee on Joint Finance goes on tour this spring to hold public hearings in 4 cities. I am once again super-disappointed that the Republicans refused to hold a hearing in Milwaukee County, so we have an option Monday at UWM, and I have made arrangements with 2 members of JFC to host our own in Milwaukee County soon. Details below.

JFC locations:

  • April 5th Waukesha County Expo Center, Main Arena 
    1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha

  • April 11th UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center Ojibwe Grand Ballroom (Third Floor)
    77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire

  • April 12th Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center Sandstone Meeting Room
    45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells

  • April 26th Lakeland Union High School
    9573 State Highway 70, Minocqua

Submit Comments to the Members of the Joint Committee on Finance: If you are unable to make it to one of the four listening sessions, you can offer your own thoughts and ideas for the budget to the members of the committee here!

Local Listening Sessions With Your Rep! As mentioned above, I will also host a budget listening session in the district. Our office will release more details on the dates, times, and locations of these in the next few weeks!
International Women’s Day
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.

Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.”

Source
 

March 8th is International Women’s Day, and this year the theme is “Embrace Equity”. It is important to understand the differences between equity and equality. 

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.

Equity, on the other hand, recognizes that every person does not begin in the same place in society. This means each person needs different resources and opportunities to achieve an equal outcome.

See more here at: https://www.internationalwomensday.com

Advocacy Visits
Wisconsin Restaurant Association 
I had the pleasure of meeting with Jose and Citlali from Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen in West Allis to talk about what can be done in the legislature to help restaurant owners in our community! We talked about eliminating the personal property tax (a bill that I authored), boosting Wisconsin’s tourism (which Governor Evers included in his budget), as well as our mutual love of being small business owners. And well, we talked about their delicious food!
Hotel and Lodging

I met with members of the Bravo Hospitality Group to talk about legislation to help hotels in our district!

Among the legislative issues we discussed were eliminating the personal property tax (a bill that I authored), supporting Governor Evers’ budget proposal to invest $33.6 million in tourism funding, and modifications to room taxes. 

Alzheimer’s Association 

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the country and affects millions of adults over the age of 65 in the US every year. I met with Robyn from Wauwatosa to discuss provisions in Governor Evers' budget to support family caregivers and invest in research to not only diagnose but treat this terrible and debilitating disease.

Wisconsin Nurses Association 

I capped off my week of meetings at the Capitol with a visit from nurses from my district! Over 700 nurses came to Madison from all over the state to talk to their legislators about workforce issues and to highlight provisions in Governor Evers budget. 

Nurses are critical to our healthcare system, but staffing shortages have stretched many nurses too thin. As the Ranking Member on the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Prevention, I see a need for more mental health services for our Healthcare Heroes to make sure that their mental wellbeing is cared for. 

Hanging out in Tosa

Milwaukee Delegation leadership met at Highlands Cafe on a corner that is 75% Assembly District 18, and 25% Assembly District 14– 2 corners Tosa, 2 corners MKE, but 75% AD18. Welcome to gerrymandering! Good thing the lunch was DELICIOUS.

Thanks to Senator Larson and Rep. Moore Omokunde for being so fun to work with!

He Came for the Cookies!

Shout out to Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde for coming to our assembly district to support some of our Girl Scouts, Troop 16230 Of Washington Elementary School!

I hope all our West Allis and Wauwatosa girl scouts are having an exciting cookie season!

Co-Sponsored Bills

Here are the bills I co-sponsored this week. You may notice that all of these are resolutions, which is a way for the entire legislature to officially recognize a date, event, or person. 

Proclaiming March 31st, 2023 as Wisconsin Transgender Day of Visibility, LRB-2296

The International Day of Visibility is a day set aside to acknowledge, celebrate, and elevate transgender and non-binary people across the world and here in Wisconsin. This joint resolution recognizes the achievements of the many transgender individuals and organizations in Wisconsin who have made contributions to our state through volunteerism, advocacy, political engagement, military service, and artistic expression. 

Proclaiming March 2023 as Women’s History Month, LRB-0712

Women have a long history of fighting for equal rights, and the accomplishments of ALL women should be celebrated. 

Honoring the Life & Public Service of Dr. Rebecca Blank, LRB-2249

I was incredibly saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Rebecca Blank, the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2013-2022. Dr. Blank dedicated her career and life to public service, and served as an exceptional role model for young women everywhere. 

Proclaiming March 2023 American Red Cross Month, LRB 2238

The American Red Cross has helped citizens prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies since it was established in 1881. They help Wisconsinites in the wake of disasters and tragedies, and offer first aid services and facilitate blood drives all across Wisconsin. Because of the invaluable work the American Red Cross does every day, I was happy to support this bipartisan resolution. 

Reintroduction of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, LRB 1728

Everyone deserves access to economic opportunities. This Bill of Rights is a framework used to shape our legislative priorities to promote justice for all Wisconsinites throughout the legislative session!

Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

 

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Madison, WI 53708 

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TF: (888) 534-0014

Email: 
Rep.Vining@legis.wi.gov 
Web: www.vining.assembly.wi.gov 

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