Child Sex Trafficking -Topical Town Hall
Our next topical town hall will be on child sex trafficking on Thursday, January 30th from 7:00-8:30PM at the Fisher Building in Wauwatosa. This is part of the education we all need.
Facebook event - click here
*RSVP recommended to Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov*
This informational town hall is offered by our office as a constituent service to provide education about different non-partisan topics that are of interest to the community.
This Week
From my morning run yesterday, in what is clearly the dead of winter. Be it cold and snowing and snowing and snowing, the capitol was bustling this week, feet are moving quickly, the phones are ringing, email inboxes are hopping, bills continue to roll out, and the building is busy-busy-busy! We are hard at work seeking common ground on important issues and working to “get it done”! I hopped around the Capitol a lot this week to partner on bills, build consensus across the aisle, and move projects forward.
Vaping Legislation
This week, I introduced a bill with State Senator Jennifer Shilling to enforce proper business practices by vaping product retailers, as they currently do for tobacco and cigarette products in Wisconsin. This bill is part of the Vaping Awareness Prevention package to improve public health in Wisconsin in regards to the use and sale of vaping products.
Our role as legislators is to write and pass laws that protect and promote the well-being and safety of our constituents. Vaping has quickly become a public health and safety issue, especially when it comes to our kids. This bill builds on the action by our state agencies to protect public health and consumer safety. We are partnering with experts to work to protect our kids.
Read my full press release on the bill here.
Learn more about this bill package in this Journal Sentinel Article or watch this news clip!
Human Trafficking Op-Ed
Following my floor speech last week on human trafficking awareness and prevention, I submitted an op-ed on the topic to continue the discussion.
The op-ed was published on the following sites (click to read!):
The Journal Times
Urban Milwaukee
The Cap Times
Session
While zipping to the floor for session this week, a couple bills came in. New bills, once drafted, arrive in confidential blue envelopes. New bills are also sometimes casually referred to as “blue envelopes”. These two new bills I just received are designed to help rural, suburban and urban families, and I look forward to introducing them soon!
In Session on Tuesday, the State Assembly voted on 35 bills and 4 resolutions. The full list can be found here.
State of the State
On Wednesday, Governor Tony Evers delivered his second State of the State address, outlining priorities for the year. Two main points from his address:1- Governor Evers has called the legislature into special session next week to take action on an agricultural agenda.
2- Governor Evers is signing an executive order for non-partisan redistributing reform (Fair Maps!).
Read more on Gov. Evers plans here.
Read my full press release on the State of the State here.
Waukesha County Foster Care Event
Yesterday, I attended Waukesha County's Foster Care Celebration and Launch Event to kick off their Foster Care Team's efforts to recruit 20 more foster families in 2020. It was an honor to attend such a great event!
If you’d like to become one of the 20 in 2020, contact them at fostercare@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7373
Here are the bills I have supported for foster care and adoption:
- AB 564: expanding eligibility for adoption assistance from age 10 to age 7, and sibling groups from 3 to 2
- AB 657: providing camp scholarships for sibling connections at a special summer camp for siblings in foster care
- AB 659: providing University of Wisconsin and technical college tuition remissions for and grants to support foster care and other out-of-home placement students
- AB 658: "Wendy's Wonderful Kids" - supports finding adoptive placements for children in foster care
- AB 624: helps provide driver's licenses, drivers ed, and insurance for youth in out-of-home care
Next Week
Special Session on Agriculture
In the State of the State address, Governor Evers called on the legislature to hold a special session to consider 8 bills related to agriculture and the farming industry in our state. This special session is set to occur on Tuesday, January 28th at 1pm.
Committees
Health Committee Executive Session & Public Hearing
Wednesday, January 29th at 9am
Children & Families Committee Public Hearing
Wednesday, January 29th at 11am
Watch both live on Wisconsin Eye! wiseye.org/live
Looking Forward
In-District Office Hours:
We look forward to hosting more in-district office hours with constituents this year!
Our next office hours will be on Friday, January 31st from 11-1PM at Miss Molly's Cafe, on the border of East Tosa/MKE. Email us at Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov to sign up. We have ONE SPOT left at 12:30!
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