The Assembly Is Back In Session

After a three-month “summer recess” the legislature returned last week for a five-hour floor session that would have been better left undone.

The agenda for the day largely consisted of divisive “culture war” issues that are popular with some of the GOP base and that will presumably be used as ammunition against Democratic legislators in swing districts. Several of these proposals focused on regulating what should and should not be taught in public schools, colleges, and the punitive measures if the rules are violated.

The overriding issue contained in numerous bills was the GOP’s favorite topic: Critical Race Theory. They offered many descriptions of what they purport it to be (a tool to oppress White people through “guilt-tripping”) which will result in white students becoming anxious about attending classes.

Note that the sponsors of the legislation could not provide a single example of a school district where the students were made to feel anxious. (No one mentioned the vast number of students who are anxious about taking a geometry test. Should they be excused?)  

These bills would apply to schools, tech colleges, the UW System, and city and county governments. Under the bill, if a single teacher were found to have talked about racism the entire school district would lose 10% of its state funding!

Another bill that passed along party lines was a requirement that schools teach cursive writing in K-8 grades. Whatever one feels about the importance of cursive writing, isn’t this the kind of decision that should be left to communities through their local school board? These “culture war” issues will not become law because Gov. Evers will veto them. Nevertheless, they get the media attention that the sponsors crave.

While we debate the pros and cons of cursive writing, the GOP legislative leadership ignores the fact that Wisconsin now has over 120,000 fewer jobs than we did before the pandemic. We have done nothing to address the problems of over 320,000 people who are uninsured despite the availability of expanding Medicaid.  It has disregarded the problem of PFAS in the state’s water and refused to even hold a public hearing and vote on our proposal to prevent and mitigate the pollution. No discussion, no public hearings, and no voting.

The Republicans capped off the session by passing a joint resolution proclaiming that their unprecedented gerrymander of Wisconsin’s legislative districts ten years ago should be the model for this year’s redistricting plan. The resolution is non-binding and is nothing more than a continuation of the Republican’s legal strategy to use the State Supreme Court's hold onto power by manipulating our maps and distorting our democracy for another ten years.

A Documentary

Last month I had the honor of being profiled in a documentary produced by the Voice of America (VOA) about the six U.S. politicians from the African diaspora who were elected to statehouses in 2020. (The VOA is a federal agency that broadcasts news and entertainment in 47 languages to over one hundred nations around the world.) One of the major audiences for VOA news is African nations. As a native of The Gambia, I was very interested in doing what I could to strengthen ties between the US and my native country.

Due to the pandemic, plans for the documentary were put on hold for more than a year before work finally began this summer. In August, I returned to The Gambia- my first trip back for several years- and there I met Sahel Films a Gambian film crew hired by VOA. They filmed my return to my home village, high school as well as my meetings with everyone from old friends to the President of The Gambia.

When I returned to Madison, a VOA film crew followed me for three days capturing footage of me in the district taking questions from constituents and meeting with other legislators at the Capitol. They interviewed me, members of my family and my friends. The purpose of the interviews both at home and in Africa was to understand how a “herder-boy” from West Africa made his way to the Wisconsin legislature.

The final product will be available for viewing on the VOA website sometime in mid-November. I’ll be sure to let you know when it can be seen.

My Mail

I get a lot of emails. Although most of it is from other legislators encouraging support or opposition to specific legislation, a great deal of it is from constituents of Assembly District 48. I receive emails from outside the district as well. 

The communications that I receive from my constituents are essential to my goal of keeping on track with the issues and concerns that are important to most of the people who elected me as their representative. Over the past year, the issue generating the most email has been the need to increase the minimum wage. September’s mail was representative of many months though it was a little lighter than usual due to a very limited floor session.

The state’s minimum wage of $7.25 has not increased for 12 years. I support a proposal to increase the minimum wage immediately to $10.15 and then increase it annually until it reaches $15 per hour.

Here’s an example of a letter I’ve received on the issue:

For too long, the minimum wage in Wisconsin hasn’t kept up with the cost of living. In fact, Wisconsin has one of the lowest minimum wages in the country. We work hard day in and day out, but still can’t make ends meet. We shouldn’t have to choose between rent and putting food on the table.

We can do better. We must. A higher minimum wage is crucial to cover the basics like health care, housing, groceries, and transportation. And it’s the key to securing a brighter future for all families in Wisconsin.

I urge you to support this bill to raise the minimum wage to $15. Wisconsin’s families are ready for $15/hr.

Sincerely,

(Name withheld)

Blue Books

They are here! The 2021-2022 Wisconsin Blue Book came out last week.

If you are not familiar with the Wisconsin Blue Book, it is a one-stop shop that contains everything you need to know about Wisconsin, its state government, departments, and officials. 

Our office will be giving away copies to the first 300 people who request one at this link! Make sure to request yours today.

Legislative Survey

This fall you may see my staff and me out in your neighborhood. We are going door to door with flyers asking folks in the district to take part in my 2021 legislative survey. 

The survey helps me to gauge your thoughts on how we can strengthen our neighborhoods and our schools, create jobs that pay a living wage, address the challenges of inequality, and a variety of other state issues!

If you would like to help guide my work representing the 48th District, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey here:  48th Assembly District Survey.

The People's Maps Commission Releases Draft Maps

After a year of public input, The People's Maps Commission released three drafts of redistricting maps for public consideration. You can view the drafts here.These drafts will be available for public comment through October 7. 

My Committees

• Committee on Local Government
• Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform 
• Committee on Rules 
• Committee on Science, Technology, and Broadband
• Committee on Small Business Development
• Committee on Information Policy and Technology

Contacting My Office

My Capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact me or my staff. We are always ready to assist you in your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other Capitol updates.