Several of Wisconsin’s primary concerns were addressed through multiple pieces of legislation at multiple hearings this week.
ELECTIONS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS, ELECTION PROCESS REFORM AND ETHICS
Monday, the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics held a public hearing on eleven bills addressing a variety of voter integrity issues. On Wednesday, most of those bills were advanced through an executive hearing, and will now advance to the floor of the Senate for an upcoming vote. Included in that legislation is a bill Rep. Dittrich authored with Senator Kathy Bernier, SB 934, which relates to maintenance of the voter registration list, training of municipal clerks, data sharing agreements, pre-election procedures, lines at the polls on election day, and granting rule-making authority.
One thing Rep. Dittrich uncovered when she met with the City Clerk in Oconomowoc one year ago was the frustrating lack of consistency between municipal clerks throughout the state. This bill with Senator Bernier will not only address this consistency issue, it will also deal with the proper maintenance of voter rolls, and other issues brought forward in the forensic audit by the Legislative Audit Bureau. While she may not agree with all of her colleagues on every part of the election integrity issue, Rep. Dittrich does believe we need to be taking action on the tangible items that were revealed in the audit.
Look for further legislative action on this issue as the Legislature responds to the outcry of constituents.
RACINE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The Racine County District Attorney will neither be filing any charges against the Wisconsin Elections Commission nor the nursing home employees who broke state election laws during the 2020 election because she lacks jurisdiction.
To respond to her comment highlighted in the press release, these unelected WEC members DO NOT have the authority to unilaterally change the law. If Josh Kaul had a shred of integrity, he would take up this case and begin investigating what happened to the people in this complaint to see if it is more widespread.
Rep. Dittrich would urge constituents to contact AG Kaul and demand he investigate these allegations in order to restore voter confidence.
BREAKING NEWS
WI State Supreme Court disallows unmanned absentee ballot drop boxes for April 5 spring election after previously ruling they could be used for the February 15 spring primary.
At least WEC will be forced to comply with state statute in the April 5th elections. This is not a final ruling, but it's a step in the right direction.
SCHOOLS
MASKING OUR KIDS
While cases and hospitalizations continue to decline in Wisconsin, and other states are easing their mask policies, there are counties and school districts in Wisconsin (including the 38th Assembly District) who continue this ineffective, student-damaging practice.
Rep. Dittrich encourages parents and students to fight for their own well-being in one of the following ways:
Contact each of your school board members (and/or county board members, if relevant) to voice your concerns.
If the school board is unresponsive, organize with other local parents to create a parent advocacy group to organize and bring about change in your district. Forthcoming school board elections are also a way to make your voice heard.
Pulling your student from the school is always an option for parents. We have strong homeschool groups in the state that link and support families.
Open enrollment is underway right now in Wisconsin. Transfer your student to another nearby district, choice, or charter school that doesn't have such practices in place.
We have fought and continue to fight legislatively to empower individuals to make their own best health decisions. We have also endeavored to demand accountability, on behalf of our constituents, for the flood of federal dollars that have been dolled out by the governor. Gov. Evers continues to undermine those efforts with his vetoes. This currently leaves recourse with citizens on the local level. Do not remain silent, but direct those frustrations where they can enact the change you require.
On Thursday, February 10th, the Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing on a number of solid education bills including AB 963, the “Parents Bill of Rights.” During the hearing Rep. Snodgrass (AD 57 – Appleton) said the quiet part out loud.
While she later deleted her post and apologized, this clearly reveals the liberal sentiment on our children’s education.
On Friday, State Superintendent Jill Underly doubled-down on the opinion that parents should not intervene when they see disturbing curricula being taught in their child’s classroom or damaging health restrictions placed on their children. In fact, Jill Underly called this exercise of parental authority “micromanaging.”
For years, Rep. Dittrich has watched our student achievement slide under the “leadership” of Tony Evers as State Superintendent. Since that time, the problem has grown exponentially. Rep. Dittrich supports every Wisconsin family seeking a quality education for their child. This support includes full parental engagement in that critical learning process.
CRIME
KAYLEIGH'S LAW
Wednesday was a GREAT DAY for crime victims in Wisconsin! The bill Rep. Dittrich authored, Kayleigh's Law (AB 520/SB 519), which would allow a lifetime restraining order for victims against their rapist, unanimously passed out of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety today. The Senate already passed the measure in their January 25th floor session. Now, we eagerly await its passage by the full Assembly.
OPIOIDS: A THREAT TO LIFE
Our state’s drug problems aren't isolated to urban areas, and the mental health issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have only worsened the crisis. Thank you to Jefferson County Leadership for bringing this devastating issue to light.
It’s no secret that our national economy has continued to slide in the wrong direction over the past year. Supply-chain issues have been a concern since late August. To that end, we are doing our best in the Legislature to manage the economic difficulties that we can.
The Assembly Speaker has formed a new Special Assembly Committee on Trade and Supply Chain, which will focus on the relationship between the labor shortage and supply chain interruption and the impacts and barriers this creates for businesses and consumers.
Look for legislation to be brought forth by this committee led by Rep. Rob Brooks.
INFLATION
Sometimes, Rep. Dittrich REALLY doesn't like having the experience and financial background to be correct about certain concerns. Back in June, liberals were scoffing, generally mocking those of us warning about inflationary pressures, and saying that inflation was "only temporary." This week, the US marked the highest inflation in 40 years with a 7.5% increase in consumer prices.
However, THIS is why she has confidence in the fiscally conservative proposals she supports. It protects you, the hardworking people of Wisconsin, when the federal government makes foolish moves like halting the Keystone XL pipeline and domestic fuel production as well as other fiscal missteps.
OTHER BUSINESS
JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
The Joint Committee on Finance built on the investments made in the budget to address the workforce shortage crisis and get Wisconsinites back to work. The committee made significant investments in childcare including allocating funds to help strengthen our child care workforce and expand availability. Increased access to high-quality child care will enable more Wisconsinites to return to the workforce.
COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The Committee on Workforce Development, which Rep. Dittrich serves as Vice-Chair, held public hearings on a variety of bills ranging from getting Wisconsinites back to work to supporting youth apprenticeships.
Next week will continue to be a busy one at the State Capitol.
Assembly Floor sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, the Governor will have his State of the State address on Tuesday night, and myriad committee hearings will be held, including the Committee on Consumer Protection. The committee will hear bills on consumer lawsuit lending, liability protection for vehicle sellers, and consumer data protection.
Stay tuned!
CONSTITUENT CORNER
CAPITOL VISITORS
Rep. Dittrich enjoyed greeting the students from Oconomowoc High School's GED Option 2 Program on Wednesday. It takes courage to go back and secure that high school diploma, but it assures a much brighter future for those who complete the program.
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Representative Barbara Dittrich State Capitol, 17 West PO Box 9582 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0038 or (608) 266-8551 Rep.Dittrich@legis.wi.gov| Read Online |