Going Big for Small Business
As a small business owner, and from my conversations in the community about the difficulties small business owners face, I understand what it takes to start and run your own business from the ground up. Right now, the state has different resources to make it easier for business owners, but the information is not centralized. This bill creates a convenient one-stop opportunity shop that reflects the diverse needs of Wisconsin small business owners. It also saves tax payers money!
In 2020, 99.4% of businesses in Wisconsin were small businesses. Over 15,000 net new jobs were created by small businesses in 2019, and over 85% of these jobs were created by companies with less than 20 employees. Wisconsin is a small business state!
From the dedicated entrepreneurs in the Driftless Region, to the hustling urban Milwaukee restaurateurs, and nursing suburban mothers juggling a new business during naptime and late into the night, everyone deserves a chance to follow their dreams with more ease and opportunity than small business owners face right now.
See my full press release HERE.
Rep. Vining Joins Mayor Johnson and Local Mothers and Advocates to Proclaim Gun Violence Prevention Week
On Monday, I was honored to join Milwaukee Mayor Johnson, members of Moms Demand Action, WAVE, Milwaukee Office of violence prevention, 414 Life, Milwaukee Blueprint for Peace, and tenacious advocates against gun violence for an official City of Milwaukee proclamation for Gun Violence Survivors Week. We know that to end gun violence and protect our state from the generations of trauma caused by gun violence we must do the hard work- we need to pass legislation requiring background checks on every gun sold, train on safe storage, fund violence interruption and prevention programs, center the survivors of gun violence, and fight with the resolve the women at today’s press conference have called us to.
Gun violence is a public health crisis, and it is solvable if we do the work. I am always grateful to be led by the women we were with today— their hearts, their stories, and their resolve remind us all why we must keep fighting for safer communities.
February is Black History Month
In honor of Black History month, members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus have put together events to celebrate Black history and discuss important issues for BIPOC individuals. During the week of February 7th-11th, Senator LaTonya Johnson, Representatives Sheila Stubbs and Supreme Moore Omokunde, will be hosting virtual events that will shed light on the unique challenges Black Wisconsinites face in achieving optimal health and wellness, including how social determinants of health, systemic barriers, and public policy influences this pursuit.
Black History Month Schedule:
- February 8th (4:30pm-6:00pm)- State of Black Milwaukee: Diving into Our State’s Racial Disparities. Register HERE.
- February 10th (10:30am-12:30pm)- Roundtable with Wisconsin State Agencies Register HERE.
- February 10th (6:00pm-7:15pm)- Ya Need Therapy: Continuing the Conversation of Black Mental Wellness Register HERE.
Register or join us by clicking on my pinned "BHM" instagram story! If you have any trouble registering, please don’t hesitate to contact my office for assistance: Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov
Recap of Meetings
The past few weeks in the capitol have been busy! Between floor sessions, committee hearings, and meetings, we have been hard at work. Here’s a quick recap of some of the meetings:
Our meeting with the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation
- Wisconsin League of Credit Union: On January 26th, we met with the League of Credit Union to discuss an update on the 14th district’s credit and credit unions. I also learned more about the league’s policy priorities.
- Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation: On January 26th, we met to discuss Assembly Bill 184 and Assembly Bill 744. These bills eliminate co-pay accumulators (we will hear this bill in committee on the 16th!) and create a Rare Disease Advisory Council.
- State Fair Park Board: On January 21st and 31st, the State Fair Park Marketing subcommittee and Board of Directors held meetings. I serve on this board as part of my legislative duties. We discussed important action items such as the search for a new CEO, the Cream Puff Pavilion, and reports from various committees.
Recently Co-Sponsored Legislation
Here are some bills that I recently signed onto as a co-sponsor. A friendly reminder that once these bills finish circulating for co-sponsors, they will be submitted to the Speaker’s office to receive a bill number and a committee assignment. It’s at that time they’ll also have a link so you can look up more information on the bill:
- LRB-5877/1, Governor Evers' Plan for Budget Surplus
- Call your legislators, the deadline to sign on is the end of the day Monday!
- LRB-2613/1, relating to: scholarships for sibling connections and making an appropriation.
- LRB-5855/1 - relating to: grant programs for victim protection services and for law enforcement agencies to provide services to crime victims and witnesses before a person is charged; funding for crime victim services; reimbursement
- LRB-5694/1 - relating to: court orders that prohibit a person from possessing a firearm under federal law
- LRB-5702/1 - relating to: grants for pretrial release monitoring and accountability programs and making an appropriation
- LRB-5701 relating to: violence prevention grants and making an appropriation.
- LRB-5700/1 - relating to: creating a community policing and community prosecution grant program and making an appropriation
- LRB-5749/1 - relating to: an increase in county and municipal aid.
- LRB-5838/P1: relating to: honoring the life and accomplishments of Colin Luther Powell
- LRB 3006/1 – Reinstating the 48-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases
- Letter to Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee regarding a Henry "Hank" Aaron postage stamp
- LRB-5416/1, relating to: address confidentiality program
- Senate Bill 317 - relating to: the possession of a firearm by a person who has committed a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and providing a penalty.
Next Week’s Hearings
Next week, the Assembly Committee on Small Business Development, as well as the Committee on Mental Health, will hold both public hearings, and executive sessions (that’s where we vote a bill out of committee). We are waiting on the Republicans to reveal the full list of bills we will be hearing. There will also be an informational hearing with Secretary Missy Hughes of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Session Newsletter and Survey
Have you received your copy of the session newsletter and survey? Newsletters have been landing in mailboxes over the last week. You can fill out that survey online if you’d prefer. As of this week we have received about 160 online responses, and more in the mail, and I have really enjoyed reading through your responses! We look forward to hearing from you! Please do leave your contact information when you fill out the form so I can contact you in response to your answers. It’s not required, but it is helpful! Thank you!
Here’s a handy link!
LINK to survey: https://forms.gle/Xf2MWzHA6nMDfh4D9
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of February 4, 9,053,493 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Wisconsin and 63.4% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose, with 59.5% fully vaccinated. Additionally, 1,879,777 additional or booster doses have been administered.
DHS has reported that new data indicates that unvaccinated individuals are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and die from COVID-19 at 14 times higher rates than fully vaccinated individuals.
The best protection against any variant of COVID-19, is to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot. All Wisconsinites ages 5 and over are eligible for a FREE COVID-19 vaccine series. Additionally, all those 18 years or older who had their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or got their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, are eligible for a free booster shot. Getting your booster shot will provide the best protection from COVID-19, including the new omicron variant.
Find more information of COVID-19 variants HERE.
Find additional information on booster shots HERE.
For more information about where you can get a vaccine, visit the DHS website HERE.
En español, AQUI. ¿Tiene preguntas sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19? Llame al 844-684-1064 (llamada gratuita)
COVID-19 Update
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 235,604 Fri, Jan 28, 2022 and 237,126 confirmed cases Fri, Feb 4, 2022 (increase of 1,522)
Waukesha - 92,914 Fri, Jan 28, 2022 and 93,914 confirmed cases Fri, Feb 4, 2022 (increase of 1,000)
