State of the Tribes Address and Floor Session
This week we heard from Tehassi Hill, Oneida Nation Chairman, about the state of the 12 Native American Tribes in Wisconsin. This annual speech is given by a leader of one of Wisconsin's Native American Tribes to a joint session of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate. Chairman Hill discussed issues that greatly impact Wisconsin's Native population.
After Chairman Hill spoke, the Assembly convened for a floor session to vote on many joint resolutions and bills. Included in the bills we voted on was Assembly Bill 20/ Senate Bill 19, which would remove the "R-word" from agency rules.
This bill builds on the progress made by 2011 Wisconsin Act 126, which deleted the phrase “mental retardation” from Wisconsin statutes. However, the statute didn’t instruct state agencies to take the phrase out of their rules.
I was proud to vote to permanently remove this offensive word from Wisconsin's administrative code. This term has no place in Wisconsin government, and it is important to make sure that those with intellectual disabilities know that they are valued here in Wisconsin.
Assembly Bill 20/Senate Bill 19 has been passed by both legislative houses and is awaiting Governor Tony Evers' signature.
As always, I encourage you to follow my updates on social media or contact my office directly with your questions. Best wishes on your weekend!
Public Hearings on the Budget
Part of my duties as a member on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is to hear from the public, and understand what issues they would like tackled in the upcoming biennial budget. As I mentioned in my previous E-Update, JFC members will spend the next couple of weeks traveling around the state to host a series of public hearings.
Last Friday we held the first public hearing in Janesville. It was a great conversation with 200 people speaking on the issues that they feel are most important. This was followed up by over 300 people speaking to the committee on Wednesday in Oak Creek.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the public hearings. It was truly inspiring to see Democracy in action. The committee will be holding two more public hearings in the coming weeks: one at UW-River Falls on April 15th and another at UW-Green Bay on April 24th.
If you are not able to attend any of the public hearings, please know that there are still ways for you to be heard. Written comments can be emailed to the Committee at budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or mailed to Committee Clerk Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.
Tour of MATC
I was able to take a tour of Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) on Wednesday. While taking the tour I was able to see first hand the great facilities and work that Wisconsin's technical colleges do. Thank you for the tour!
Budget Listening Sessions
Senator Devin LeMahieu, Rep. Tyler Vorpagel and I will be having two listening sessions in Sheboygan and Oostburg to hear your comments in regards to Governor Tony Evers’ proposed $84 billion two year budget.
Sheboygan Listening Session
Senator LeMahieu & Representative Vorpagel
April 22, 2019
10:30AM - 11:30AM
UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
Wombat Room
1 University Dr
Oostburg Listening Session
Senator LeMahieu
April 22, 2019
12:00PM - 12:30PM
Oostburg Public Library
213 N 8th St
I hope to see as many of you there as possible. If you are unable to attend, please know that you can always contact my office at 608-266-0656 or at Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Office of Rep. Terry Katsma
State Capitol, Room 306 East
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Toll-Free (888) 529-0026 or (608) 266-0656
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov| |
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