At a time where we are seeing both our State and US Constitutions treated with total disregard, it is more important than ever to pause this Constitution Day, September 17th, and read this critical founding document that clearly sets out our rights as US citizens.
Fewer issues have divided communities more than the way COVID-19 has been addressed in regards to the education of our children. Rep. Dittrich's office continues to hear from parents who are incredibly upset with how their school district is responding to COVID-19. Parents who do not believe that mandates are not the correct way to go forward are enraged when aggressive actions are taken by the district. While parents who believe that their district should introduce aggressive mitigation standards feel betrayed when the district does not.
With this contentious issue in mind, Rep. Dittrich is responding by introducing legislation that will enable parents to make the choices that best suit their child. Parents are best suited to know their student’s individual needs and should have the agility to make plans to appropriately educate that student in the environment that meets those needs.
While individual employers DO have the right to require vaccinations as a condition of employment, the President DOES NOT have the legal authority to issue the mandate he is attempting to craft through OSHA. Biden's declaration issued last week is no different from Tony Evers' attempt to step around the Legislature in Wisconsin last year. This article does a good job of stating why our US separation of powers is so important.
One thing Rep. Dittrich has found incredibly frustrating in the Wisconsin battle against COVID-19 has been the fact that we have devoted the vast majority of our attention to prevention and so little to treatment. Even Tony Fauci acknowledges that monoclonal antibody treatment (Regeneron) is a safe, effective way to treat those who have tested positive with the virus. While many like to criticize Florida's approach to dealing with the virus, one thing Rep. Dittrich would like to see replicated in Wisconsin would be the widespread, easy availability of monoclonal antibody treatment like they have in the Sunshine State.
Clearly, Public Health Madison and Dane County isn't hearing the constituents complaining about the mask mandate that Supervisor Weigand and Rep. Dittrich has. Many Dane County residents feel hoodwinked that they did the right thing by getting vaccinated, yet are still required to wear a mask.
By now, we certainly know that COVID-19 vaccines are available to all over the age of 12 who would like them. But don’t forget that the flu still exists and is known to kill more children than the current pandemic.
Only 39.3% of Wisconsin's students are proficient in reading. It is critical that we turn this educational travesty around. That is why Rep. Dittrich is a co-author of AB 446, which addresses early intervention for reading.
Public education is by far the single largest budget item for the State of Wisconsin. Therefore, taxpayers deserve to know how our school districts are spending those funds. That is why Rep. Dittrich is a proud co-author of AB 378, which would create a portal to display how public school dollars are spent.
Given the constituent questions posed to Rep. Dittrich's office this past week, there is a need to clarify some assertions that were made about Assembly Bill 562. Since children were sent home from school due to COVID-19, a new era of parent awareness arose. Suddenly, parents who were assisting their students with virtual learning became aware of materials and curriculum being presented to their children of which they had previously been unaware. Since that time, legislators have repeatedly received complaints from parents regarding a variety of values-based materials being taught in our schools that conflicts with their personal values and religious beliefs.
Nothing in AB 562 prohibits schools from continuing to offer materials on such things as gender and sexual orientation. It does, however, require informed consent of the parents. While all people should be treated with kindness and compassion, the personal values and religious beliefs must continue to be respected by our public schools. Just as you would not want your personal beliefs or values undermined by our instructors, we must not undermine those who think differently from you. You know your children best and what is appropriate for them. That is why Rep. Dittrich supports AB 562 and other legislation that offers transparency for you to make informed decisions as a parent.
PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY
JOSH KAUL JOINING CLASS ACTION SUIT
Rather than attacking issues like the atrocious youth violence problem in Milwaukee or human trafficking because of people flooding into our nation without any process to track or support them, our Wisconsin Attorney General is wasting our tax dollars by going after a legal process that protected the lives of valuable human beings who are still inside the womb.
This week, Josh Kaul announced that he is joining a class action suit to go after the State of Texas ban on ending lives past six weeks of gestation. This is SHAMEFUL, and Rep. Dittrich will continue her fight in the Wisconsin Legislature to protect the most vulnerable of lives, those who are tomorrows, teachers, scientists, business owners, and leaders!
ADOPTION LEGISLATION
Writing legislation is far more involved than most citizens may be aware. But it's worth the hard work to try and get it right. It has been Rep. Dittrich's honor to have two meetings with Wisconsin's Native American tribes to work on the details of legislation to more quickly get children into permanency.
Rep. Dittrich looks forward to putting out bills in the coming weeks that will greatly help families.
AROUND WISCONSIN
FORT MCCOY UPDATE
Fort McCoy is now housing around 12,500 refugees. Challenges are detailed here:
Round 1 of voting is now open for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. This year the 38th is represented by a custom cooler made in Lake Mills and a S'mores flavored porter made in Oconomowoc. You can vote once daily now through September 21st.
While the Olympia development is a municipal issues at this stage, constituents continue to ask about it, and Rep.Dittrich continues to stay in touch with the city regarding the project.
Rep. Dittrich had the pleasure of meeting with these warrior moms and advocates who brought her up to speed on their amazing plans at Journey21, Inc. She is eager to see our area and state be able to offer this much-needed type of enrichment center and living opportunity for adults with unique abilities!
MEETING WITH OCONOMOWOC FIRE CHIEF
What a gorgeous day to be out meeting with constituents in the 38th Assembly District! It was great to meet with Western Lakes Fire District Chief Brad Bowen to chat on ways we can work together on a state and local level.
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 |
