Not only did last week’s Legislative Audit Bureau expose the Wisconsin Election Commission’s violations of the law and bring forth more action on addressing these violations, Thursday, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference revealing the results of their year-long investigation involving illegalities in residential care facilities. As a result, Speaker Vos and others legislators have called for the resignation of Meagan Wolfe as Elections Commission Administrator.
Rep. Dittrich’s position is that we need much more housecleaning at WEC than the resignation of one person. Additionally, we need the closing of loopholes that were exploited in the 2020 elections. That is why she has authored LRB-2387/1, relating to: guidance documents issued by state agencies along with Senator Steve Nass, and continues to draft other legislation to reasonably clean up our election process in Wisconsin in order to restore voter confidence.
WEC VIOLATED STATE LAW
A partisan Wisconsin Election Commission chaired by major Joe Biden donors, along with municipal clerks throughout Wisconsin, violated state law in numerous ways in the 2020 presidential election, according to a non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau report, which was released on October 22, 2021.
The Wisconsin State Senate will be launching its own investigation into the 2020 presidential election, a week after a different audit did "not identify any widespread fraud."
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), said Monday in a press release the audit from the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB), which made recommendations on how Wisconsin could improve elections, "painted a grim picture of the Wisconsin Elections Commission."
Last Friday, the Legislative Audit Bureau released its findings from a lengthy review of a raft of complaints surrounding the administration of November’s presidential election. Concerns included everything from ballot corrections to outright fraud.
In addition to pursuing the LAB’s recommendations for legislative action, Senate leadership says it has authorized the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics to conduct an additional investigation relating to the findings of the audit, including the city of Madison’s refusal to provide documents and ballots to the audit bureau in the course of their investigation. The investigation will be conducted by Senate staff.
RACINE COUNTY SHERIFF UNVEILS INVESTIGATION RESULTS
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling unveiled on Thursday, Oct. 28 the results of an investigation into possible election law violations throughout Racine County and Wisconsin. While the sheriff alleges the law has been broken, he is not yet recommending charges.
This week both the Senate and Assembly passed legislation that begins to attack Wisconsin’s serious crisis in reading readiness. Representative Dittrich was proud to be a co-author of the bill as well as vote for its passage.
The Assembly held floor sessions both Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Here is some of the ground that was covered.
FIRST RESPONDER OF THE YEAR
It was an impressive start to Tuesday's floor session honoring Western Lakes Fire District Chief Brad Bowen as the 38th Assembly District's First Responder of the Year along with so many other notable honorees from the various legislative districts around our state.
We all owe Chief Bowen a debt of gratitude for how aggressively he worked on securing COVID-19 vaccine doses for those in the first wave of eligibility who wanted and needed them. Both Waukesha and Jefferson Counties benefitted from his persistence and drive when he found little help from our state agencies.
PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION AUTHORED BY REP. DITTRICH
Every life matters. That is why Rep. Dittrich was proud to author AB 594/SB 592 and AB 595/SB 593 with Senator Patrick Testin. Both bills have now passed both the Senate and Assembly, proceeding to the Governor's desk in the hopes that he will do the right thing, valuing every Wisconsinite, and sign them into law.
Lack of inventory and out-of-reach cost for those looking to purchase a first home or secure an affordable apartment are only a part of the growing workforce housing challenge. A package of bills voted on in the Assembly Tuesday seeks to address some of these issues.
SICKLE CELL RESOLUTION AJR 82
It was Rep. Dittrich's honor to join State Rep Katrina Shelton as she spearheaded AJR 82, recognizing September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Rep. Dittrich encourages YOU to honor those with this diagnosis by donating blood!
It's a rare day when a committee gets unanimous, bipartisan support for legislation. In this Wednesday's Executive Session of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, the committee, including Rep. Dittrich, unanimously moved forward FIVE bills in a bipartisan fashion.
JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING ON MAPS
Yesterday, the public testified in front of the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Senate Committee on Government Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection regarding the new legislative maps.
For decades Conservatives like Rep. Dittrich have contended that a father in the home or father figure of influence make all of the difference for children.
This week, ‘Dads on Duty,’ a group of gentlemen from Louisiana, gained notoriety in the nation when the CBS Evening News shared the difference they have made in the behavior of students who were previously been in fights at school. Let’s hope we see more men step up in the nation and our state to help guide our children in the right direction.
CONSTITUENT CORNER
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Olivia Olson of the Lake Mills FFA chapter, National Runner-Up in the FFA Creed Speaking competition!
TRUE ID
TRUE ID held their annual Halloween party last night for high school students. TRUE ID is a Deerfield High School student organization advised by Ms. Jensen that promotes a drug and alcohol-free environment. They had cookie decorating, a costume contest, and other festive activities!
Well done, Deerfield! Our students need more opportunities like this statewide.
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 |
