Introduction of ERPO 

After a year of record firearms sales and increasing rates of suicides and accidental shootings, my legislative colleagues and I introduced two firearm safety bills today and called for bipartisan support to help prevent gun deaths in Wisconsin.

For years our elected leaders have not only failed to respond to gun violence, they refused to even discuss it. These bills can save lives in every part of the state, urban and rural, red and blue, and are supported by 80 percent of Wisconsin voters. They are consistent with our Second Amendment rights and provide strong due process protections. I urge all my colleagues to come together to support this legislation that will save lives and make all our communities safer.

LRB-2751 would require a background check on all gun purchases in Wisconsin. Under current law, a gun purchased at a licensed firearms dealer requires a background check, but a gun purchased online, at a garage sale, or from a private, unlicensed seller does not. This loophole in state law was exploited by the Brookfield Azana spa shooter, who had a criminal history of domestic violence but was still able to get a gun and kill four people in a hair salon. 

LRB-3007 would create an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). 19 states have ERPO laws, which allow a judge to order guns to be removed from a situation where there is clear evidence of someone in crisis or an individual planning a mass shooting. Without an ERPO, if a parent or friend suspects someone has a gun and is at imminent risk for suicide or violence against others, there is no recourse to help prevent such a tragedy before it’s too late. The Supreme Court has upheld that the right to bear arms does not extend to those who pose a threat to the safety of themselves or others, and states such as Indiana, Florida and Connecticut have used ERPO laws to successfully reduce suicide rates and prevent mass shootings at schools and workplaces.

Both of these bills are supported by law enforcement officers and responsible gun owners, because they know how important it is to keep guns away from those who want to harm themselves or others. These are data-driven, common-sense solutions to a crisis that is devastating families and communities all across the state.

As a member of the Workforce Development Committee, I want to remove barriers to employment, especially for women and men with young families. On Tuesday, the committee met in Executive Session to consider AB-115, a bill which would provide a tax credit on tuition paid by an individual who participates in an apprenticeship program.  I support this bill, but I think it could be made even better!  I proposed an amendment that would extend the credit to cover child care expenses for apprentices-in-training, in cases where tuition is already covered by an employer.  Though the amendment did not pass in committee, I have reached across the aisle to the bill's authors to see if we can make this legislation even more beneficial to Wisconsin's apprentices and their families.

Supreme Court: Justice on Wheels

On Friday, October 15, 2021, Justice on Wheels will be visiting Ozaukee County to showcase the Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices in action. The opening ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Ozaukee County Administration Center, 121 West Main St., Port Washington, WI. Two arguments are scheduled that day at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and are open to the public.  Seating is limited.  If you are interested in attending the ceremony or one of the hearings, please RSVP by reply email to Stephanie.blumenthal@wicourts.gov before October 1.  Please include your name, the name of a guest if desired, and indicate which session you would like to attend. Ozaukee is the 31st Wisconsin county to be visited as part of the program!

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and we can all do our part to prevent and spread awareness about suicide. It is important to remember that suicide is not a taboo topic. Sadly, it is a very common issue, and the first step to solving it is talking openly about it and removing the stigma around it. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or text HOPELINE to 741741 or visit this website for more resources and ways to be involved.

I-43 Update--Overnight Closures

Northbound drivers, lookout for the following overnight closures on I-43 between Capitol Drive and Silver Spring Drive: 

• Friday, September 24, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For those of you traveling southbound on I-43 between Silver Spring Drive and Capitol Drive, the following are dates of overnight full closures:

• Friday, September 24, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Saturday, September 25, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Pay attention to the following ramp closures approximately one hour before the aforementioned closures:

• Fiebrantz Avenue entrance ramp to I-43 northbound 
• Silver Spring Drive entrance ramp to I-43 southbound

Detour Routes:

• Northbound drivers are advised to use the Green Bay Avenue exit ramp, north to Silver Spring Drive, east to Port Washington Road, south to I-43 NORTH entrance ramp to get around the closure.
• Southbound motorists should use the Silver Spring Drive exit ramp, west to Green Bay Avenue, and south to 9th Street, south to I-43 SOUTH entrance ramp to get around the closure

DHS Update

If you received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between August 20 and September 19, don't forget to claim your $100 reward by September 30! The most effective way to protect ourselves and others from coronavirus is to get vaccinated, so get your shot today! If you have already received both doses but are at high risk and over the age of 65, the FDA has approved a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Stay tuned and visit this website for more information about boosters, vaccine records, and testing. 

Office Hours

We continue to offer in-person Office Hours in the district each week on Friday mornings from 9 am-12 pm.  You can click here to sign up to talk with me about issues that are important to you.

• October 1 at Fiddleheads in Thiensville
• October 8 at City Market Cafe and Bakehouse in Whitefish Bay

Contact Our Office

There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts and concerns with us:

Call our office at (608) 266-0486

Email us at Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov

Visit our website to learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns.