STRUGGLES CONTINUE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CALLS FOR CULTURE CHANGE

Thank you to News 3 Now / Channel 3000 Naomi Kowles WISC for doing this important investigation. As Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development, Rep. Dittrich is deeply concerned about the culture of our Department of Workforce Development. It is harming Wisconsinites at their time of deepest need.

Update: State Lawmaker Calling For DWD Transparency, ‘Culture Change’ As Reports Rise Of Unemployment Debt

NOT THE ONLY ONE

Clearly, Rep. Dittrich's office isn't the only one hearing these horrible stories of the continued roadblocks at Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

'It's Extremely Frustrating': Thousands of Unemployment Claims Caught In Appeal Backlog, Holding Up Unemployment Payment For Months

INCREASING MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS TEST LEGAL BOUNDARIES

WI Institute for Law and Liberty filed an original action with the Wisconsin Supreme Court urging a review of the authority of the Dane County public health officer to issue a new county-wide mask mandate. The Wisconsin Supreme Court made clear in June that the powers of a local public health officer are limited and must be specifically conferred by a legislative body.

Rep. Dittrich has been in touch with one of the 38th's Dane County Supervisors regarding the county's latest mask mandate. PHMDC's order possibly does not comply with the State Supreme Court decision that was handed down only 60 days ago stating that such an order may not be unilaterally issued without a legislative body conferring that power. WILL's legal action should clarify whether or not PHMDC has such authority.

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court To Strike Down Dane County Universal Mask Order

COVID ARGUMENTS CONTINUE

COVID CRACKDOWN - OPIOID OVERDOSE SPIKE

Last weekend in Milwaukee County alone, the Medical Examiner's Office reported twice as many deaths from overdose as from COVID-19. Mental health problems and overdoses are sometimes referred to as "diseases of desperation." People are becoming anxious again with the notion of forced masks, vaccines, and lockdowns. We simply cannot proceed with mitigating virus concerns to the exclusion of people's social-emotional well-being.

Wisconsin Commemorates Overdose Awareness With The Same COVID Crackdowns That Spiked Last Year’s Opioid Death Surge

MASK MANDATES RETURN

NO ONE is keeping individuals from wearing a mask if they see the need. You should absolutely be your own best health advocate and make that decision for yourself.

At the same time, people who have been shouting, "Follow the science," for the past 18 months conveniently leave out some statements from the "experts." For instance, in an e-mail dated February 5, 2020, Anthony Fauci stated, "Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection." He continued, “The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective at keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material.”

Additionally, if you look in retrospect to the number of COVID-19 cases after Tony Evers issued his illegal mask mandate last year, these charts show that cases actually rose in Wisconsin after that edict was ordered.

It is this sort of information that has made the general public skeptical of these bureaucratic impositions. I trust that you are capable of analyzing all of the facts involved now that we have 18 months of information on this virus and making your wisest personal decisions for yourself and your own family. I also trust that you are able to weigh the consequences and make your decisions based on that discernment.

Be kind to one another and realize that each person has a different set of circumstances that informs their decisions. Meanwhile, Rep. Dittrich will remain true to her oath of office by supporting the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Wisconsin.

VACCINATION MANDATE IN NURSING HOMES LEADS TO CONCERN

Employee shortages will likely worsen as vaccine mandates are put in place. This is especially concerning with our elderly, who are already the greatest victims of the COVID-19 virus.

Nursing Home Organizations Concerned Vaccine Mandate May Lead To Staffing Shortages

THE IMPACT OF AFGHANISTAN

SACRIFICE MATTERS

If you have a friend who has served in Afghanistan, please check on them this week. Many are struggling after last weekend's disastrous Taliban takeover. They need to know their sacrifice and scars matter to their fellow Americans.

AFGHANISTAN EXIT AND REFUGEES

The heartache and chaos of the poorly planned Afghanistan exit have now become a state issue as well as a federal issue since Wisconsin's Fort McCoy will be the destination for thousands of refugees. Please be assured that Rep. Dittrich is communicating with both our state and federal leaders to make certain that Wisconsinites are kept both informed and safe as this process unfolds. As more information is made available to her, she will update constituents.

BETTER STORIES CLOSER TO HOME

LAKE COUNTRY DAYS

Boundless respect goes to constituents who go beyond themselves to make a difference in the world around them. Rep. Dittrich was grateful to stop in and say hello to these constituents raising funds for mental health support and suicide prevention at Lake Country Days in Stone Bank.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Rep. Dittrich has had so many constituents asking her to get involved in local school and municipal issues. They think her voice will be the difference-maker. The truth is, it's YOUR voice that moves the needle with your school boards, villages, towns, cities, and counties. She wants to applaud every one of you in the 38th Assembly District who have found your voice, made your wishes known, and have even taken the step of running for office. YOU are the difference-makers in your communities.

CNC TRAINING GRANT

Kudos to Gene Haas Foundation for making a difference in Wisconsin's workforce! These good paying jobs are just waiting for well-trained employees to fill them. This generous donation will go a long way towards helping both employees and employers fill a huge need.

THANK YOU!

Julia completed her 6 month internship with our office as she heads off to college at UW LaCrosse. We wish her all of the best as she steps into a bright future and thank her for her service to the 38th Assembly District!