E-Update for February 15-February 19
My Reaction to the Governor's Proposed Budget

This week, Governor Evers delivered his 2021-23 budget address to the Wisconsin State Legislature, revealing his proposed budget to the people of Wisconsin. 

I am disappointed that Governor Evers’ has ignored the calls of Republicans in the legislature and included divisive items in his budget proposal. Welfare expansion and marijuana legalization are items we have already said we would not take up in the budget - but the Governor included them anyway. Now he is using these divisive items to try and fund massive amounts of spending and several new programs, when he can't even manage the programs he currently has before him. 

On a brighter note, the Governor did take a note out of Legislative Republican’s playbook and fund some priorities that are important to the people of Wisconsin, such as rural broadband funding and an increase in pay for those caring for our most vulnerable. I'm happy to see the Governor fund a few of these common-sense priorities.

Now that the Governor has introduced his budget, it is time for the Legislature to work on the two-year spending plan. As the Assembly Co-Chair of the budget-writing committee, I look forward to listening to people all across Wisconsin to help craft a budget that truly funds the priorities of our state’s citizens.

Republicans Direct Governor to Finally Fix Unemployment System

This week, Republicans in the Joint Finance Committee directed the Governor to finally move forward with fixing the Unemployment System. 

Republicans have provided a roadmap for an unemployment IT system upgrade for Governor Evers. Fixing this system is something Governor Evers can already do, as outlined in a memo from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, but once again Legislative Republicans will take the lead and direct Governor Evers’ and his agencies to do their job. 

The Senate passed this bill with bipartisan support, and I'm expecting the Assembly will do the same next week. Governor Evers has also signaled support for signing the bill when it gets to his desk.

Providing Relief to Wisconsin Businesses

This week, I joined my Legislative colleagues in voting for a tax cut that protects Wisconsin businesses. Assembly Bill 2 ensures businesses won't have a tax levied against them for accepting the forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. These loans were part of federal CARES Act legislation that passed last year to help businesses stay open amid government-mandated shutdowns. Without this bill, taxes against Wisconsin businesses could have totaled more than $430 million. 

Wisconsin businesses have been struggling under the weight of government mandated COVID-19 restrictions for almost a year now. Now is not the time to force an unanticipated tax on these businesses. These loans were approved to help them stay open and keep people employed.

I was happy to see the Governor sign this common-sense legislation into law yesterday afternoon.

Congrats to the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball Team on a Great Season!

Last night, the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball Team played against Germantown in the WIAA Sectionals. Although they came up short, they had an amazing season and should be proud of their achievements. At the end of the regular season, the team was ranked #3 in the state and finished with a record of 20-2. 

Around the State
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