50 Piece Rule
Starting on April 15th, state legislators are prohibited from sending out 50 or more pieces of identical materials from our office, including the e-update. That means we can write the e-update and post it online, but we cannot email it directly to you.
So, after April 15th, our weekly e-update will be posted on our legislative website and social media but will not be sent directly to your inbox. If you have any questions regarding this rule, please let us know!
Special Session This Week
Legislative Democrats were ready on the floor with or without our Republican Colleagues this week.
This week Assembly Democrats stood ready to come to the floor for Governor Evers' call for a special session. Instead, legislative Republicans gaveled in and out of session without acting on policies supported by Wisconsinites across our state. Wisconsinites deserve better than this.
We had an opportunity to pass Gov. Evers’ plans to use our projected surplus budget to provide relief to folks across the state —while still keeping a projected $2 billion left over. Legislative Republicans chose to gavel out of session and to wait until the next budget cycle after elections. This leaves $3.8 billion sitting in Madison that will not help Wisconsinites buy groceries, pay for gas or childcare, heat their homes, or put food on their tables.
Wisconsinites are the reason for our state’s and our economy’s success. There’s no reason we can’t find common ground and provide relief for them. Legislative Democrats stood ready this past week to do just that.
End of Session
Rather than using the last week of session to address the issues Wisconsinites are facing, legislative Republicans decided to end the session early. Legislative Republicans closed out the session without acting on policies supported by Wisconsinites across our state. Wisconsinites deserve better than this.
Assembly Democrats stand ready to take up legislation that would ensure that our government acts as a force for good. We're not done! The most recent Marquette University Law School Poll shows that the Republican-controlled State Legislature has a 37% approval rating. It is past time that the legislature acts on the will of the people and passes broadly supported policies like fair maps, affordable and accessible healthcare, universal changing stations, funding for mental healthcare, supporting small businesses, environmental protections, and much more. Look out for more info on what we should have passed this session in next week's e-update!
Just last week, I introduced LRB-6204 to provide hazard pay for our frontline workers! I am committed to continuing to work for Wisconsinites for the remainder of the session.
International Women’s Day
Tuesday, March 8th, was International Women's Day. Happy International Women’s Day from most of the women in the Democratic caucus in the Wisconsin State Assembly!
Recently Co-Sponsored Legislation
Listed below are some bills that I recently co-sponsored.
- LRB-6118/1, relating to: Local shared services grants, regional affordable housing grants, and grants for certain local redevelopment projects
- LRB-6222/1, relating to: Supplemental Aid for Slow or Low Growth Municipalities
- LRB-6223/1, relating to: Increased Reimbursement to Counties for Specific State-Mandated Services
- LRB 4267/1 relating to creating the WisEARNS retirement savings program and making an appropriation
- LRB 3056/1 Relating to: encouraging lodging establishments to provide training to employees on recognizing and preventing human trafficking
- LRB 3057/1 - Creating a human trafficking council
Research in the Rotunda-- Congratulations on a Job Well Done!
Congrats to Joey Reddin of Brookfield for completing and presenting his work on the “Voter ID Laws”— I enjoyed hearing the presentation on Wednesday, and connecting Joey with Lieutenant Governor Barnes to chat about the presentation! Wednesday, March 9th was UW system student research day— if you ever have a student presenting research in the rotunda, please let me know so I can stop by and meet them!
Maps! Maps! Maps!
Last week we finally received the new legislative maps. I requested more information on them from the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, and I received that information today. Here is a drawing of the new Senate District 5 (SD-5). Within each senate district there are 3 Assembly districts: AD-13 (blue), AD-14 (lime green), AD-15 (purple). This graphic shows the 3 new assembly districts, and the new senate district. The blue lines are the city/municipal boundaries.
For a general overview, Wisconsin has 99 Assembly Reps with districts about 60,000 people, and 33 Senators.
Here’s a ward-by-ward view of the new 14th Assembly district.
The blue lines are the city boundaries.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Due to time constraints of our office this week, we have no specific COVID vaccination update. See links below for information on how to find a vaccine in the 14th district!
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)
