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Friday, February 25, 2022

A SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

VICTIM RIGHTS

KAYLEIGH'S LAW PASSES ASSEMBLY

People hear us speaking a great deal about crime in the state these days. We must not forget the most critical part of the crime issue — the victims. This week, it was Rep. Dittrich's great joy to welcome Kayleigh Kozar to be present for the Assembly's passage of SB 519/AB 520. When Governor Evers signs this bill, Wisconsin will be the second state in the union to offer rape victims the chance to petition for a lifetime restraining order against their assailants. We can all feel proud of the bipartisan support for making Wisconsin a better, safer place to live for victims.

LEGISLATION PASSED BY ASSEMBLY

EDUCATION

We heard a lot of nonsense on the floor of the Assembly this week regarding education, specifically school choice expansion. But the complaints about not spending enough on our state’s largest expense offers no justification for the outcomes we're seeing with Wisconsin's students. In some districts, the relationship between outcomes and spending is actually inverse. We MUST stop making excuses and start getting our kids back on track with learning.

This is the news report to which Rep. Duchow was referring on the floor this week. Both staff and students need SRO's back in the schools. Rep. Dittrich was glad to vote for AB 969 along with the rest of the education bills.

Madison Police Chief Wants To Implement Redesigned SRO Program Into MMSD Schools

CORRECTIONS

See all of that green? That is something that you rarely see on a vote in the Assembly. But where Tony Evers has failed, the legislature led in finally creating a path forward to finally deal with a replacement for Lincoln Hills.

Assembly Approves Funding For New Youth Prison

ELECTION NEWS

Starting to feed absentee ballots into the machines without tallying them has been a high priority for both political parties. This is more commonly known as the ‘Monday Count.’ Doing such would not only be an incredible help to our local clerks, it would boost voter confidence by reducing the types of late night ‘ballot dumps’ we tend to see in every election.

PLAYING GAMES INSTEAD OF NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH

Here's the Assembly Democrats playing games. Before the floor session Thursday, they said Monday Count was a top priority, but in reality, they didn't want it to become law. After coming to an agreement, the Democrats left the room and became a no vote.

Democrats once again abandon their rhetoric when it's time for action! After working with them for hours, taking their ideas and changes, and reaching a consensus, they backed out in the final moments. The ones who stopped the bipartisan version of a Monday Count bill from happening are the Assembly Democrats.

The ‘Monday Count’ legislation passed along party lines and now heads to the governor’s desk along with the other measures passed.

Assembly Approves Flurry Of Changes To Wisconsin Elections, Vetoes Likely

ELECTION INTEGRITY

This week, the Assembly voted on clear, effective solutions to the concerns with Wisconsin's election integrity. These joint resolutions are WI Constitutional Amendments not subject to the Governor's approval or veto.

Rather, they must pass two consecutive legislative sessions before going to a statewide referendum to be voted on by the people of the state.

FEDERAL IMPLICATIONS

CONVENTION OF STATES

It was Rep. Dittrich's honor to once again cast her vote in favor of an Article V Convention of States.

Debunking Myths Against An Article V Convention And Term Limits For Congress

STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS

STATE OF THE TRIBES

The annual State of the Tribes Address took place to a joint session of the legislature on Tuesday.

FOREIGN POLICY AFFECTS WI

STATEMENT ON UKRAINE INVASION

Despite the busy floor session, Rep. Dittrich thought it was critical to make a statement in support of Ukraine and inform constituents on the wider implications of this invasion by Russia. Join her in praying for peace and for the people under attack.

BEST WISHES

AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER

Best wishes for a safe race for all those converging on Northern Wisconsin for the American Birkebeiner , including Rep. Dittrich's own husband!

This photo is a flashback to nine years ago when she was working as a race volunteer with the Fischer Team and met her husband near OO in Seeley. That's the halfway point of the grueling 50 K race.

CONSTITUENT CORNER

DISTRICT BUSINESS VISITS

Rep. Dittrich is grateful for the tour of Silgan Containers Technology Center she received this week. We discussed all things supply chain and workforce. Most of us would be shocked to learn how much attention to detail goes into delivering safe, healthy food to us.

Innovation is what keeps this business in the 38th Assembly District thriving. Thank you to Seljan Company for the tour and conversation this week. It never ceases to amaze how our Wisconsin employers adapt and grow in challenging times.