Hello again District 17,

State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde here with the Second Edition of my quarterly newsletter. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some important things that have happened recently both in Madison and at home in Milwaukee.

Firstly, on the legislative end of things, I wanted to update you on the Wisconsin state budget process. While I was in strong support of Governor Evers’ original budget proposal, I am extremely disappointed in the budget proposed by the Joint Finance Committee and passed in the Republican-majority legislature. It lacks many of the provisions that I feel are crucial to improving the lives of our neighbors here in Milwaukee. It is for this reason that I voted against the Budget on the Assembly Floor. While the budget ultimately did pass after Governor Evers signed it, my Democratic colleagues and I will be introducing stand-alone legislation throughout the next 2 years to ensure that the majority of the original budget *DOES* pass. Politics simply should not get in the way of helping our fellow Wisconsinites!

On August 11, the Assembly Committee on Education held a Public Hearing on AB411, a bill aimed at ending anti-racist and anti-sexist trainings in K-12 schools. This bill is both racist and extremist. It seeks to erase the history of Black and Brown folks in America, our struggle and lived experience. Rather than seeking to sideline true history and lived experience, we need to come to terms with it in order to form a more perfect union. Teaching the truth about America’s past is not “sexual stereotyping” as my Republican colleagues argue…it is American history and American truth. Our past informs our present!

On the lighter side of things, we had a successful Juneteenth celebration both at home in Milwaukee and here at the state capitol. At the State Capitol, we were joined by Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus members, both past and present. We were also honored to have a virtual appearance from the Honorable Ms. Opal Lee. Milwaukee did it big for our 50th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! I was honored and humbled to take part in both of these celebrations.

And finally, this was an incredibly special summer for our district and for the city of Milwaukee - shout out to Giannis Adetokunbo and the team for making us all so proud. BUCKS IN 6!!!

Thank you for your continued support, it is my honor to represent you. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or thoughts. You can also click here to subscribe to this newsletter and stay up to date on all the critical things we’re doing here in Madison.

P.E.A.C.E.,

Supreme Moore Omokunde
State Representative
#YoureInThe17th

STATE CAPITOL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WISCONSIN'S BIENNIAL BUDGET

Rep. Moore Omokunde speaks during the Assembly Floor Session on AB68, Wisconsin's Biennial Budget; June 29, 2021

A new legislative session means a new biennial budget for the State of Wisconsin. Governor Evers proposed a necessarily robust budget for 2021-23 that, amongst other things, sought to do the following: 

• Expand BadgerCare, which would not only help more folks obtain health insurance, but would provide Wisconsin with more than $1 billion in federal funding towards creating a more equitable society. 
• Increase the minimum wage in Wisconsin from $7.25 to $10.15 by 2024, with $15 to follow shortly after.
• Restore bargaining rights of public employees
• Establish the statewide Office of Environmental Justice as well as the statewide Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy

Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues in the Wisconsin State Legislature do not agree with Governor Evers about moving Wisconsin forward. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee introduced Motion 19 back in June, which stripped nearly 400 items from the budget, including all of the items above.

Additionally, Republicans removed every single item in the budget that contained the word "equity," making abundantly clear that they have no intention of creating a more equitable Wisconsin for all. Personally, I am appalled (but not surprised) that my Republican colleagues care so little about helping folks less fortunate than themselves to self-actualize. That said, it is important that We the People make our voices heard in support of a more equitable Wisconsin!

I want to know what YOU think about Wisconsin's Biennial Budget proceedings - email me at rep.mooreomokunde@legis.wisconsin.gov to share your opinions and concerns.

COMMITTEE UPDATE - TESTIFYING IN OPPOSITION TO "ANTI-CRITICAL RACE THEORY" BILLS

Representative Moore Omokunde and Rep. LaKeshia Myers testify before Assembly Committee on Education - August 11, 2021

On August 11th, the Assembly Committee on Education held a Public Hearing on AB411, a bill that seeks to ban "anti-racism and anti-sexism pupil instruction." I testified in opposition to this bill and want to lay out why I did so: 

Why is AB411 a problem? This bill is both racist and extremist. It seeks to erase the history of Black and Brown folks in America, our struggle and lived experience. Rather than seeking to sideline true history and lived experience, we need to come to terms with it in order to form a more perfect union. Teaching the truth about America’s past is not “sexual stereotyping” as my Republican colleagues argue…it is American history and American truth. Our past informs our present!

History, exactly as it happened, is complicated and often uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t collectively address it as one nation. Ignoring truths simply because they make people uncomfortable is not the answer – in fact, it is a recipe for further grandiose myths and conspiracies. We shouldn’t whitewash our history more than it currently is.

For example, Juneteenth has been celebrated in the United States since 1865, but only became an official national holiday this year. Yet under AB411, teachers would be stripped of the ability to explain the significance of this day to their students! In the United States, our diversity has been and should be our strength: we should be proud to support equity and inclusion in our classrooms.

This legislation attempts to erase the stains of our nation’s past – stains that cannot be ignored and must be addressed. This legislation seeks to divide our country even more than the right’s “Critical Race Theory” strawman does. Our children and our classrooms should be kept out of fights that are purely political in nature. I strongly urge the committee to reject AB411.

I want to know what YOU think about legislation up for debate in the Wisconsin State Capitol - email me at rep.mooreomokunde@legis.wisconsin.gov to share your opinions and concerns.

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION - AT THE CAPITOL / 50 YEARS IN MILWAUKEE

The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus stands in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol, Juneteenth flag flying high overhead in the background

On June 18 at the State Capitol in Madison, the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus (on which I am honored to serve) hosted a Juneteenth celebration featuring Governor Evers, Lt. Governor Barnes, and my mother, Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Most importantly, we were surprised by special guest, the Honorable Freedom Fighter Ms. Opal Lee.

On Saturday, June 19th, I had the honor and a privilege to walk once again in Milwaukee's Juneteenth Parade and to partake in the festivities afterwards. This year may have been the first that Juneteenth is a federally recognized holiday, but it was Milwaukee's 50th annual Juneteenth celebration. Our city *ALWAYS* knows how to get down on Juneteenth. I am both humbled and immensely proud to represent folks like yourselves and I appreciate everyone for showing out at the parade! Although recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is a monumental victory, we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. The work continues!

DISTRICT 17 CONSTITUENT AND BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

September is also back-to-school month! For our Constituent Spotlight, we highlight 41 individuals from District 17 that graduated from schools across the UW system during this past spring. Congratulations graduates!  

District 17 Business Spotlight - coming soon, in partnership with MKE Black Inc.

We want to spotlight YOU, the constituents and establishments of the 17th District! To be included in a future newsletter's Constituent and/or Business Spotlight, please reach out to my Legislative Aide, Will Zolecki, at 608-266-5580 or email at will.zolecki@legis.wisconsin.gov 

DISTRICT 17 - COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINE RESOURCES

COVID-19 vaccines are still available for *FREE* throughout Milwaukee. You do NOT need to have health insurance or a government issued ID to receive a vaccine. Additionally, it was recently announced by the CDC that children ages 12-17 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Should you choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, below is a great resource to find out where you can receive your free COVID-19 vaccine: 

https://city.milwaukee.gov/CovidVax - For pop-up vaccination clinics, both in-district and in Milwaukee

-OR-

Schedule a vaccine appointment at Walgreens or at Pick n Save when it is convenient for you