After a two-month winter recess, the Assembly got back to work last month holding sessions in each of the last two weeks of January.
In the first of the two sessions, GOP leaders forced through a package of bills that would loosen restrictions for concealed carry permit holders to carry firearms. Several of these provisions loosened rules in and around schools. Included in this package were proposals to:
Lower the minimum age for concealed carry permits from 21 to 18.
Allow permit-holders to carry guns in vehicles on school grounds.
Let permit-holders carry a gun in a place of worship located on the grounds of a private school.
Allow persons from states that do not do background checks for a permit for concealed carry of a weapon to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin without a background check.
This last proposal is another element of the long-term effort to allow the concealed carry of weapons for everyone. If this becomes law, it will set the stage for an effort in the next session in which it will be argued that if we are allowing people from other states to “carry” here why shouldn’t we let Wisconsinites?
These bills demonstrate that my Republican colleagues have lost touch with the priorities of the people of our state. Wisconsinites want to make schools safer for students, not increase the likelihood that they will encounter someone with a gun in the classroom. I have trouble understanding the urgency of taking up policies that make our communities less safe. The people deserve an agenda that is focused on their priorities of affordable healthcare, recovering from the pandemic, addressing rising inflation, and creating equitable opportunities, not one focused on the agenda of the NRA.
The second session focused on a slate of Republican “crime” bills funded by dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The purpose of the ARPA was to provide relief from the devastating effects of the pandemic on our economic and health care systems. The package of bills from the GOP did not do this.
The bills would among other things, increase-sentencing minimums, incriminate individuals participating in protests, and ban “critical race theory” from being taught in schools.
In contrast, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced a package of amendments that would directly address the rise in violent crime. Unfortunately, our proposals to increase the shared revenue going to local governments, protect victims of domestic violence, improve pre-trial monitoring and reporting systems, and increase funding for victim and witness services were quickly voted down by the Republican majority.
Madison Fire Chief Steven Davis Honored by the Assembly as a Hometown Hero
I was honored to present Madison Fire Chief Steven Davis with a Hometown Hero Award at the start of the January 20th Assembly session. The Hometown Hero program recognizes individuals from around the state who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. I nominated Davis, a resident of my district, in recognition of his years of service to the department and his decade of outstanding leadership as Madison’s Fire Chief.
Davis's tenure as Fire Chief was marked by innovation and expansion, he added two new fire stations, expanded emergency medical services to surrounding communities, began using PFAS-free firefighting foam, and added the nation’s first 100% electric fire engine to Madison’s fleet.
His leadership put the department and the safety of the city on solid footing for years to come.
Thank you, Chief Davis.
Governor Evers’ Announces Plan To Allocate a Portion of Record Budget Surplus
Last week the Legislative Fiscal Bureau updated Wisconsin’s projected 2021-22 biennial budget surplus from $2.6 to a record $3.8 billion. The increase is largely the result of unanticipated tax revenue and billions of dollars from the Federal Government for COVID-19 relief funding. In response to the projection, Governor Evers announced a plan to return a portion of that money to the citizens of Wisconsin.
I support Evers plan, which would provide a $150 tax refund to every Wisconsin resident, distribute $131.8 million in targeted tax relief to caregivers and families, and invest $750 million in Wisconsin’s schools, colleges, and universities. This will provide a progressive rebate to all Wisconsinites while leaving $1.5 billion “in the bank.”
By providing immediate tax relief for families struggling to cover the costs of childcare during the pandemic the Governor’s plan will have the added benefit of making it easier for many Wisconsinites to return to the workforce.
Wisconsin’s Legislative Black Caucus Celebrates Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month, the members of Wisconsin’s Legislative Black Caucus will be hosting a series of events throughout February. Each week the caucus will focus on a different area of policy that directly impacts the lives of Wisconsin’s Black residents, including economic development, health, education, and criminal justice.
On the 24th I will be hosting a virtual panel on the effects of mass incarceration on Black families. The panel discussion will feature speakers from UW-Madison, and individuals directly impacted by incarceration. We are still working out the details for this event, we will send an update when the agenda is finalized.
Blue Books
State of Wisconsin Blue Books 2021-22 are still available please complete this form on my website to get yours.
Recently proposed and Sponsored Legislation
1/28/2022: 2021 Assembly Joint Resolution 121 Relating to: honoring Governor Tommy Thompson as he prepares to depart from his role as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System.
1/28/2022: 2021 Assembly Joint Resolution 125 Relating to: proclaiming January 2022 as human trafficking awareness and prevention month.
1/28/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 929 Relating to: health coverage questions on individual income tax returns. (FE)
1/21/2022: 2021 Assembly Joint Resolution 118 Relating to: honoring the life and work of University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, bell hooks.
1/21/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 886 Relating to: creating a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/21/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 900 Relating to: a tax credit for investments in a community development financial institution. (FE)
1/20/2022: 2021 Assembly Joint Resolution 115 Relating to: commending the UW-Madison volleyball team, the coaching staff, the athletic department, and the chancellor on winning the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball National Championship title.
1/18/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 846 Relating to: legalizing recreational marijuana, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)
1/18/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 856 Relating to: sentencing for crimes committed by a person who is under the age of 18.
1/6/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 817 Relating to: possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under the age of 18.
1/6/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 821 Relating to: intrastate telecommunications service and video communication service initiated from a telephone or video communication device designated for use by inmates in a jail or state prison, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 781 Relating to: green jobs training program grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation.
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 787 Relating to: report on environmental impacts to vulnerable communities and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 789 Relating to: consideration of climate change in certain local plans and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 799 Relating to: grants for planting trees to address urban heat islands, eligible recipients for urban forestry grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 788 Relating to: grants for regional biodigesters, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 792 Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 795 Relating to: on-bill financing of energy improvements and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 798 Relating to: an energy efficiency grant program for school districts, funding for the University of Wisconsin System, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 800 Relating to: required inclusions in the long-range statewide transportation plan. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 801 Relating to: evaluating the social cost of carbon emissions. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 805 Relating to: providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE)
1/4/2022: 2021 Assembly Bill 794 Relating to: funding for certain research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and special education aid and making an appropriation. (FE)
If you have any questions or concerns related to state policies and practices please contact me by email or by phone.
Rep. Samba Baldeh State Capitol, Room #11 North PO Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0048 or (608) 266-0360 Rep.Baldeh@legis.wi.gov| |
