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,
Rep. Robyn Vining
Rep. Robyn Vining Applauds Governor Evers’ Call for Special Session to Allow Voters to Introduce Constitutional Referendum
'The Will of the People is the Law of the Land’, that is the inscription on the ceiling of the Governor’s conference room in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Beneath this inscription is where the Wisconsin governor often signs legislation into law, and this month we stood together beneath this inscription to declare that after years of legislative Republicans obstructing the statewide will of the people, and in the wake of the overturning of Roe V. Wade, and as we live daily with the ominous reality of the now-reenacted 1849 criminal abortion ban, Governor Evers is calling on the Wisconsin legislature to come into session and restore voice to Wisconsin voters. Important topics close to the hearts of voters that could be on future ballots if this passes include fair maps, universal background checks, legalizing cannabis, medicaid expansion, and restoring comprehensive access to reproductive healthcare.
I swore an oath to represent the will of the people I represent, and that is what we are doing here today. The Will of the People is the Law of the Land in Wisconsin– it is time to return the power to the people.
Update from the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations
This month, I had the honor of traveling to the Menominee Nation in Keshena, WI. During the committee’s time there we met with tribal leadership and toured the Menominee Reservation, including this beautiful spot on the Wolf River. We finished our day with a public hearing where we discussed four pieces of legislation that we are working on. These include:
LRB-0012/P1, relating to pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a high school graduation ceremony.
LRB-0014/P1, relating to requiring school districts to report information related to American Indian children attending school in the school district.
LRB-0265/P1, relating to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
LRB-0011/P1, relating to model academic standards related to American Indian studies, informational materials related to a school board’s obligation to provide instruction on American Indians, and the American Indian studies requirement for teacher licensure.
Labor Day Parade
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee, Mr. President! Thank you for coming to celebrate Labor Day, and support Labor! Click HEREto see President Biden’s speech in Milwaukee.
On Labor Day, I had a fabulous time standing in solidarity with labor and marching together in the Labor Day parade! I bounced back and forth between SEIU & nurses and teachers and AFSME. Forward TOGETHER!
Governor Invests In Our Kids
This month I joined Governor Tony Evers and State Superintendent, Dr. Jill Underly, for a HUGE announcement on how the governor will prioritize Wisconsin kids in his biennial budget proposal. We have a projected $5 billion surplus– Governor Evers’ proposal will use this money to make meaningful investments in our kids and our schools without raising property taxes across our state.
As Governor Evers said, “What’s best for our kids is truly what’s best for our state. We will never regret doing the right thing for our kids.” These investments include:
🔵LITERACY:
$10 million each year to fund literacy-related programming for our kids.
🔵MENTAL HEALTH:
$240 million through a permanent Get Kids Ahead student mental health categorical aid and streamlining funding so that every school and student has access to mental health resources.
🔵HEALTHY MEALS:
State funding to provide free meals to all students who qualify for free and reduced meals, and significantly decrease the cost for full-priced school lunch. This would help ensure kids aren’t hungry when they’re trying to learn, and they get the nutrition they need—regardless of their family income.
🔵FINANCIAL LITERACY:
$5 million for a “Do the Math” initiative administered by the DPI to provide districts the resources to start or improve financial literacy curriculum and prepare students for financial success.
🔵OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMMING:
$20 million in an Out-of-School Grant program that increases access to community- and school-based before and after-school programming.
🔵TEACHER SHORTAGES:
Changing the law to allow any school district to hire retired teachers and staff in order to help districts fill open positions with experienced staff.
🔵SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING:
Increase the reimbursement rate for special education from roughly 30 percent to 45 percent in the first year of the biennium and to 60 percent in the second year of the biennium, with a goal of achieving 90 percent reimbursement by 2026-27.
🔵INCREASED PER PUPIL FUNDING
Thank you, Gov. Evers, for prioritizing our kids!
ClickHEREto read the Governor’s K-12 Budget Priorities.
JFC Update on Opioid Settlement Investing Plan
Last month, GOP lawmakers objected to the opioid settlement plan that would have invested $6 million in urgent relief. On September 8th, the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee finally agreed on a spending plan for the roughly $31 million that Wisconsin expects to receive from drug manufacturers.
The new plan takes money away from K-12 Evidence Based Substance Use Prevention curriculum or programs, and it completely removes funding for family support centers - these funds are being redirected towards a grant program for law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Health Services has now received $6 million in funding and can finally get to work battling the opioid epidemic in Wisconsin.
New MCW Cancer Research Building
This month, Senator LaTonya Johnson and I joined the Medical College of Wisconsin for a ceremonial groundbreaking of the MCW Cancer Research Building, which is expected to be completed by late 2024.
Once complete, this project will make Milwaukee home to the area’s first-ever, state-of-the-art cancer research facility – an effort supported through a $10 million grant from the State of Wisconsin Building Commission.
Also present were many leaders, partners and donors who make it possible to accelerate discoveries in cancer research and treatments.
“The MCW Cancer Research Building will serve as a hub for cancer innovation and bring together the brightest minds to forge innovations that will address the cancer burden impacting patients and families in eastern Wisconsin and beyond,” said John Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW president and CEO.
“Perhaps most importantly, this facility will allow us to increase our attention to reduce cancer disparities among underrepresented groups in our communities.”
ClickHEREto see the MCW press release on the topic.
Milwaukee Delegation Visits the Grand Avenue Club
Earlier this month I got to join my colleagues in Milwaukee to tour the Grand Avenue Club. We had a wonderful tour. I really appreciated the sharing we heard from partners. The Grand Avenue Club is a community for people with mental illness– a wonderful space that has been meaningful to many Milwaukeeans, and I’m grateful we were able to hear from so many of the members during our visit.
Back to School!
Welcome back to school, MPS! I was honored to join Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes to welcome kids back with cow bells and cheering pom poms (my dance team and cheerleader days coming quickly back!) and a RED CARPET! Lots of fun, indeed!!! Welcome back to school, kids and teachers and administrators and staff!
Teens Grow Greens
Update from our “Teens Grow Greens” Milwaukee Delegation trip this spring— my garden is alive and BEAUTIFUL.
I’m so glad the MKE Delegation toured in the spring, and I was able to fill my garden with their handiwork!
Spectrum Interview
The new round of “Know Your Electeds” interviews is up at Spectrum news!
See mineHERE
UW Nurses Reach Agreement with Gov. Evers
Earlier this month, Governor Evers, who opened the Governor’s Residence as a location for conversation, UW Nurses, SEIU, and UW Health Administrators came to an historic agreement and prevented a scheduled UW Health Nurses’ strike.
In the words of Governor Evers, "This wasn't easy, It took time, honesty and commitment from both sides to better communicate, and that is exactly what they did." As a proud progressive, union wife, and advocate for workers’ rights, I extend a HUGE congratulations to all the UW Health Nurses who have continued to advocate for their right to form a union!
It is imperative that people across Wisconsin are able to earn a livable wage, go to work in safe working conditions, and have a healthy relationship with the companies with which they work.
I have tremendous respect, appreciation, and admiration for our frontline healthcare workers— I know this work is not simply what you do, but who you are. Thank you, UW Health Nurses, and CONGRATULATIONS!
Equal Pay for Women in the Workplace
Mom’s Equal Pay Day:
This month of September, we observe Mom’s Equal Pay Day and acknowledge pay discrimination that affects mothers throughout our state, nation, and world. Mothers in America have to work much longer to earn the same annual wages as white men.
Black Women’s Equal Pay Day:
For Black, Latina, Asian & Pacific Islander, and Native American women, the wage gap is even larger. For a Black woman to earn what a white man earned the previous year, she must work through September 21st of the new year. Many of these women are fierce leaders in their communities fighting for racial justice and equality in our state and country - we must do our part in ensuring pay equity for the women that support us everywhere.
Mainstreet Grants Update
On September 13th, Governor Evers announced an additional $25 million investment in our successful Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, bringing the total investment to $100 million. I am proud to have co-authored part of Act 1, part of the Main Street Recovery efforts, a bill signed into law on January 27th, 2021 , and aimed at helping small businesses and families recover from the COVID-19 pandemic with important state grant funding.
With this additional investment from Governor Evers, over 10,000 businesses and non-profits will have received grants in all 72 counties! More information about the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program and how to apply is available on the WEDC websitehere.
Happy Voter Registration Day!
You can register to vote online by mail, or in-person! To register online, go tomyvote.wi.gov - it only takes about two minutes.
If you would like to vote by mail, you can print out a voter registration form atmyvote.wi.gov, fill it out, and send it to your municipal clerk.
Finally, if you would like to register in person, you can go to your municipal clerk’s office up until the Friday before the election, or you can register on Election Day - Tuesday, November 8th - at the polls. Just remember to bring Proof of Residence, such as a WI Driver’s License!
Online voter registration is available until October 19th.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month – this month we celebrate the accomplishments, history, and culture of the Hispanic community.
This month recognizes the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.
To all Hispanic Wisconsinites – We honor you and celebrate you this month, and every month!
On September 17, 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to sign the U.S. Constitution. After 3 months of writing and deliberation 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed on the Constitution. This marks the beginning of our federal government!
Since 2004, we’ve marked Sept 17th as Constitution Day to celebrate the beginning of our work to create a democratic nation by, of, and for the people.
May we continue the work of creating a nation with “liberty and justice for all”.
Happy Rosh Hashanah
L’shana Tova, happy Jewish New Year, to all who are celebrated! I hope you all were able to enjoy a meaningful day and that this new year is sweet and meaningful (like the apples and honey typically enjoyed on this day)!
COVID-19 Updates
I got mine this month!
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved a new booster shot for all those who have completed their vaccine series or received other boosters at least 2 months prior.
Moderna’s new bivalent booster vaccine is approved for those who are 18 and over. Pfizer’s new bivalent booster vaccine has been approved for those who are 12 and over. This new dose has been created to better protect against newer COVID-19 variants.
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, getting your booster shot will provide the best protection from COVID-19, including the newer variants.
