Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau publishes updated information reflecting changes in the population since the previous census. This information is used by states to redraw local, legislative, and congressional districts so that each district has approximately the same number of people. The new legislative maps will have approximately 59,000 people per Assembly District.
The Wisconsin State Legislature, according to our constitutional and statutory duty, has undertaken this task with requests for additional input from numerous public advocacy groups, including the ‘People’s Maps Commission’, and Wisconsinites from across the state. The new district maps introduced this week are the next step towards crafting final districts which meet every criteria required by state law, the U.S. Supreme Court, Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Wisconsin.
This is the first time the public has been able to submit maps directly to the Legislature for consideration. This new opportunity gave any Wisconsin resident the ability to draw their own statewide map, regional plan, or community of interest (COI) through the DrawYourDistrictWisconsin.com website.
With the introduction of the maps as legislation, Wisconsinites will now have the opportunity to thoroughly review and give comment on congressional districts, state senate districts, and state assembly districts as part of the public hearing process. That additional input will continue the open, transparent process as bills move through the Legislature. Public hearings will be happening in the coming weeks.
For further information on the history of redistricting in Wisconsin, the non-partisan Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) published an in-depth guide explaining the law, principles, and process.
If you have any questions about the maps or the redistricting process, please reach out to my office and we can do our best to answer them.
As a reminder, the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) is a standing committee in the Legislature which passes the state budget but can also pass other legislation to be sent to the floor of each house. If a bill proposes to spend money, it must go through JFC and be voted on. This week, JFC met on a few proposals.
Apprenticeship Tuition Tax Deduction
Assembly Bill 115 (AB 115) creates an individual income tax deduction for tuition paid for apprenticeship programs. Under current law, tuition paid by students for programs approved by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is tax deductible. AB 115 would provide the same deduction for tuition paid for apprenticeship programs. This deduction would apply to tuition paid by the apprentice and not tuition paid by an employer. It is my hope that this bill will make it easier for young men and women in Wisconsin to enter the trades and learn a skill. The skills learned in apprenticeship programs lead to high wage jobs and stable careers. This bill could make a big difference for aspiring tradesmen and women in our community and our state.
I voted ‘Yes’ on this bill in JFC and it passed on a vote of 11-4. It will now go to a full vote in the Assembly.
Agricultural Exports
Assembly Bill 314 (AB 314) requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to promote the export of Wisconsin’s agricultural and agribusiness products. The bill funds the program at $5 million over the course of the next five years in order to increase the value of Wisconsin’s exports by at least 25% by June 30, 2026. Wisconsin produces about $105 billion worth of agricultural products per year, but unfortunately we only export about 3% of those goods. I am proud to support this bill to help farmers across the state continue to export Wisconsin products in our country and around the world.
AB 314 passed out of JFC unanimously and is ready for action on the Assembly floor.
Motor Vehicle Fleet Registration
Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481) creates a fleet license plate for owners of a fleet of 10 or more automobiles or small trucks. They would pay the same annual registration fee as they had prior, but they would be issued a license plate embossed with the word “Fleet” which would not require the registration sticker. Businesses that own multiple vehicles sometimes do not see their vehicles come back to a central location on a regular basis. They could be somewhere around the state or even the country. When the time comes for the vehicle registration to be renewed, it can be difficult to get the physical sticker to where the vehicle is located in order to stick it to the license plate. This bill eliminates that issue for businesses in Wisconsin.
AB 481 passed out of JFC unanimously and is ready for action on the Assembly floor.
Meat Processor Grants
JFC also approves (or denies) requests from departments to allocate funds for certain projects or programs. This week, JFC approved DATCP’s request to use $200,000 in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years ($400,000 total) for grants for meat processing facilities in Wisconsin. These grants are used to promote meat industry growth in Wisconsin.
The committee approved this request unanimously.
Drug Take Back Day
Tomorrow is Drug Take Back Day, an opportunity for members of the community to safely dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, including:
Capsules
Creams
Inhalers
Non-aerosol sprays
Ointments
Pills
Patches
Vials
Liquids must be in their original container. Pet medications are also accepted. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices with the batteries removed are also accepted.
There will be one Drug Take Back Day collection site in our community:
Pick n’ Save
8770 S Howell Ave
Oak Creek, WI 53154
Event Hours: 10am-2pm
If that doesn’t work for you, there are many permanent drug drop box locations. Click here to find a permanent drug drop box near you.
Keep your family and community safe by safely disposing of your medications!
Trick-or-Treating around the 21st Assembly District
As you are making your Halloween plans, I wanted to make you aware of the citywide trick-or-treat times in our community. Be safe and have fun!
Don’t Miss These In-District Events!
Lights on Edgewood (101.5 FM) – Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm (throughout the month of October) – 1322 Edgewood Ave, South Milwaukee https://www.facebook.com/LIGHTSONEDGEWOOD/
Hotel California “A Salute to the Eagles” – Saturday, November 13 at 7pm – Oak Creek Performing Arts & Education Center (PAEC), 340 E Puetz Rd, Oak Creek https://www.oakcreekpaec.com/tickets
As always, if you have any comments regarding the content of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez State Capitol, Room 321E PO Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0021 or (608) 266-0610 Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov | |
