March 8, 2019

Working for you!

The Tools You Need to Succeed

Wisconsin employers desperately need skilled workers. Apprenticeships have been successful in helping meet the demand, but the road to complete them is long and paved with financial challenges that can discourage even the most motivated individuals.

This bipartisan bill, which passed the State Assembly last session by a vote of 95-0, expands the Tools of the Trade apprenticeship grant program by providing the Wisconsin Technical College System Board with an additional $100,000 per academic year to assist technical college students who have undertaken apprenticeship training courses in conjunction with instruction at their schools.

Each individual student who qualifies is eligible to receive up to $1,000, which must be used to assist in paying for materials and expenses associated with the apprenticeship training program, including tools, clothing, equipment, and supplies.

Watch my testimony on the bill to the Assembly Workforce Development Committee by clicking here.

Getting I-41 the Attention it Deserves

I’ve been pushing hard to get I-41 safety improvements on the radar of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A study order by Governor Walker will be released soon detailing the need for fixing the interstate on the north side of Appleton. When I meet with Governor Evers, it will be the first, and most important, thing I speak to him about.

I’m also pushing for work to begin on the Highway 15 bypass, which is critical to maintaining safe roads throughout our community.

Check out the Fox 11 news coverage of this issue by watching the video below:

Waste Starts at the Top

Governor Evers’ cabinet members will be paid up to twenty percent more than their immediate predecessors. Some of these “public servants” are going to be making more than two and half times the median Wisconsin household income.

These agency leaders are not only making more than their predecessors but they are also making significantly more than in the jobs they left to join the Evers team. For example, Caleb Frostman, who earned $50,950 as a State Senator, will now be paid $140,000 a year as Department of Workforce Development Secretary.

Handing out unearned raises is the sort of management practice that signals a lack of respect for taxpayer dollars. I’m concerned that this tax and spend mentality will quickly spread throughout our state agencies. I’ll be keeping a close eye on state agencies for additional wasteful spending.

Life... No Matter How Small

A baby weighing just nine ounces, born via c-section at only 24 weeks was recently declared healthy enough to leave the hospital after five months of care, officially becoming the world’s tiniest baby. Incredible medical improvements mean that a baby’s life is viable outside of the womb as early as twenty weeks. I’m proud to have been a a leader in Wisconsin adopting a ban on abortions after this twenty week benchmark, ensuring that no child risks having their life snuffed out after they can feel pain and survive outside the womb. The average fetus at 20 weeks weighs 10.58 ounces. 

Capitol Visitors

Outagamie County Officers visited on Tuesday. Pictured left to right: Treasurer Trenten Woelfel, me, Register of Deeds Sarah Van Camp, and Clerk Lori O'Bright.

Jackie from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention visited on Thursday.

Wisconsin Right to Life Executive Director Heather Weininger and Legislative Director Kristen Nupson stopped by on Thursday. We had great conversation about legislation for the 2019-20 session. 

UW-Eau Claire student leaders stopped by Thursday to discuss higher education.

On Friday, my Research Assistant Diane Handrick helped provide Wisconsin Technical College System employees with training as part of their annual Wisconsin Leadership Development Institute and then my Legislative Assistant Michael Moscicke took them on a special tour of the State Capitol, including the Assembly chamber pictured above.

New Legislation

Here is the legislation I've co-sponsored since my last update. Click on the links to learn more about each bill or resolution:

Assembly Bill 63
Bringing contraband into a jail or prison and providing a penalty.

Assembly Bill 75
Local regulation of honorary firearm discharges.

Assembly Bill 70
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

Assembly Bill 72
Requiring certain occupational areas to be included in the youth apprenticeship program.

Assembly Bill 73
Ending the Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park sales tax.

Assembly Bill 59
Service of certain pleadings and other papers by electronic mail.

Assembly Bill 57
Youth apprenticeship programs and making an appropriation.

Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website or  https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/ and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.