2021-2023 State Budget

Throughout the biennial budget process, Rep. Dittrich has endeavored to communicate with constituents, holding 7 listening sessions throughout the 38th Assembly District, distributing a detailed constituent survey, and keeping citizens apprised of each step of the process.

On June 29th, the State Assembly passed the GOP-fashioned biennial budget, and the State Senate followed suit on June 30th.

On Thursday, July 8th, Gov. Tony Evers was left no choice but to sign into law the reasonable, responsible, realistic budget designed by Legislative Republicans, offering Wisconsin’s largest middle-class tax cut in state history.

Wisconsinites can take a victory lap, knowing that the state’s most important priorities are being funded while their own wallets have been protected by Legislative Republicans.

Rep. Dittrich's press release further details what the governor both line-item vetoed and passed by signing this budget.

PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION

Another reason for Wisconsinites to take a victory lap is the ongoing support the Wisconsin State Legislature’s support of parents’ rights in education. In June, two of Rep. Dittrich's Republican colleagues introduced legislation addressing the concerns of critical race theory being addressed in schools and universities.

This week, three of her other colleagues introduced a piece of legislation that she is especially passionate about — requiring schools to provide educational transparency by publicly posting student curricula. Rep. Dittrich wasted no time in immediately signing onto this bill.

Finding out what your child is being taught prior to the semester should not require large sums of money in open records requests. She believes parents should be empowered to make better educational decisions for their children.

Republican Proposal Would Require School Districts To Post Curriculum Lists Online

ELECTION INTEGRITY

An additional victory lap can be taken by Wisconsinites as they realize legislators in the Assembly and Senate are fighting to restore their confidence election integrity with a number of different approaches.

Please know that nothing is being done by leadership to impede the audit and investigation of our elections and the overall process in Wisconsin. Here is how the legislature is currently addressing election concerns:

1. Several months ago, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee authorized a thorough forensic audit of our elections. You may continue to follow the process. The results of this audit are tentatively expected some time this fall.
2. The Legislature recently passed several election reform bills focusing on uniformity of procedures, banishing of outside money to pay for elections, proper oversight, and putting an end to loopholes. Governor Evers shamefully vetoed AB 173, which would have prohibit outside organizations from funding and interfering with local administration of elections. The remainder of the bills now hang in the balance with the governor, who will determine if he supports election integrity or not. You may follow all of this legislation and its status.
3. Finally, prior to President Trump’s e-mail sent two weeks ago, Speaker Vos was roundly criticized in the media for hiring retired detectives to further investigate the 2020 election. Speaker Vos then made the announcement that former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman will be leading that investigation.

Rep. Dittrich realizes how extremely frustrating waiting on this process can be, but it is equally important that the legislature is methodical and thorough in this multi-pronged approach. This will assure that we get to the truth on this matter and get it resolved to the confidence of voters.

OUT OF TOUCH TONY

While Republican legislators have held back many of the governor’s destructive ideas, as a co-equal branch of government, they cannot hold everything back.

Here are some of Gov Evers recent counterproductive vetoes:

• Within the Budget legislation, line-item veto of changing state tax withholding tables, in effect taking out an interest-free loan on the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers. (veto #36, pg 45)
• Within the Budget legislation, eliminating a grant program for Lakeland STAR Academy, taking away much-needed funds from special education in northern Wisconsin (veto #17, pg 36)
• AB 383 (Introduced by Senator Jagler in response to an Oconomowoc student harmed by COVID closures)
• AB 191 (Representing years of work in trying to eliminate Wisconsin’s personal property tax, which harms our small business owners)
• AB 367 (Commonly known as the “Mill Bill,” would use ARPA funds to give state loans to Wisconsin’s COVID-battered paper mills)

MANDATORY COVID VACCINES

You may have heard that Milwaukee will be going door-to-door to "to build vaccine confidence in underserved communities. Not only has Rep. Dittrich had constituents complain to her in the last 48 hours about the notion of the government going door-to-door to push the experimental use drug, in the Spring Survey for our legislative district, they overwhelmingly believe that taking the vaccine should be up to the patient.

Milwaukee COVID-19 Program Will Go Door-To-Door To Build Vaccine Confidence In Underserved Communities

BUILDING THE WALL

Back in May, Rep. Dittrich posted a video featuring State Representative Jim Steineke and Representative Tyler August during their visit to our US-Mexico border.

In the 38th Assembly District Spring Survey responses, constituents affirmed their desire that reinforcement of our US Southern border continue to protect both citizens and immigrants. On Wednesday, it was announced that Wisconsin will finally be sending troops to help at the border, but not until at least 5 months after we brought this grave humanitarian crisis to your attention.

Wisconsin National Guard Unit Headed To Southwestern Border

CONSTITUENT CORNER

Hope to see some of you out at the Jefferson County Fair this weekend! It looks like the temperatures should be comfortable and the weather should cooperate, so be sure to get out and enjoy all the fun!