The Wisconsin State Assembly returned to session this week, voting on consequential legislation that reduces taxes, creates jobs, and protects individual liberty.  I was proud to support patient choices, when I joined eighty-five of my colleagues in supporting the "Right-to-Try" initiative.  "Right-to-Try" would allow terminally-ill patients to utilize investigational treatments. These experimental treatments could have a positive impact on quality of life and I want to ensure that the government does not impede on a doctor-patient healthcare decision for terminally-ill patients. 

"Right-to-Try" permits the terminally-ill to try experimental devices and drugs after exhausting all other available treatments.  These drugs and devices have already passed the FDA's Phase I clinical trial.  Patients must have a physician's recommendation and be deemed ineligible or unable to participate in a clinical trial. I enthusiastically supported this legislation, recognizing that it provides much-needed treatment and has a proven track record of lengthening the lifespan of terminally-ill patients.

Additionally, I supported passage Assembly Bill 49, one that permits patients with certain medical conditions to possess CBD oil, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of marijuana.  A physician's approval is also necessary before one can possess the medicinal oil.  Individuals suffering from seizure disorders are already experiencing the positive effects of CBD oil.  Now, CBD oil will be expanded for treatment of other illnesses and a governmental barrier is being removed.

Office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer

For the second consecutive session, the legislature has passed a joint resolution eliminating the office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer.  The current treasurer, Matt Adamcyzk, when he ran for the position, vowed to abolish the office and relieve the treasurer of his official duties.  To-date, the treasurer's only responsibility is serving on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.  Treasurer Adamcyzk has already eliminated his entire staff and returned a portion of his salary to taxpayers.  In the past several sessions, the state treasurer's responsibilities--at one time this was a powerful, vibrant office--were transferred to the Departments of Revenue and Administration.  This joint resolution will now come before Wisconsin taxpayers in the form of a referendum.  If the referendum is approved by voters, the office will officially be eliminated.

Project Labor Agreements

Assembly Republicans, this week, passed Assembly Bill 24 relating to project labor agreements, authored by Representative Rob Hutton.  Assembly Bill 24 is a straightforward, common-sense proposal that establishes neutrality in the government bidding process.  The bill stipulates that government can neither require nor prohibit the use of project labor agreements, herein referred to as PLAs, as a condition to win a bid for a public construction project.  It is imperative to denote that the bill does not ban the use of PLAs should the winning contractor and government entity agree to enter into one. 

Requiring PLAs discourages many contractors from participating in public construction RFPs.  With a PLA requirement, those contractors and sub-contractors, who are otherwise well-qualified, often have to concede participating in the bid process to the unnecessary weight of supporting additional workers, added pension obligations, and prohibitive work site rules. 

The intent of Assembly Bill 24 is straightforward: to promote government neutrality in the bidding process by allowing for the market to have a greater impact on determining which firm is right for the job.  Removing at the front end allows for a standard basis at which more firms operate.  This drives additional competition for these public works projects allowing the government to assess different costs, quality, and proposed innovations. 

Since 2009, twenty states have made similar reforms to promote government bidding neutrality.  By adding Wisconsin to this list, we will continue to reduce barriers that prevent businesses from participating in the economy.  Removing outdated impediments and encouraging greater participation is a win-win for the construction industry, our economy, and taxpayers.

Health department consolidation bill

In last week's e-update, I provided background information on Assembly Bill 27 relating to the consolidation of multi-jurisdictional health departments.  Act 175 allowed counties and municipalities to consolidate health departments and afforded counties with greater flexibility in assessing county levy to finance these entities.  Initially, county-county and city-county consolidation were included in the bill language, but an amendment was offered and passed to include city-city and multiple local health departments. Governing bodies for consolidated health departments were required to use either equalized valuation or a per capita determination to prepare their budget for the following year.

I am pleased to announce that the senate, this week, unanimously passed Senate Bill 12 (companion to Assembly Bill 27).  In addition, the Assembly Committee on Local Government held a public hearing on the companion legislation, Assembly Bill 27.  The committee is expected to recommend passage of the bill, next week.  At that point, it will be sent to the Assembly for final passage.

Testifying before the Assembly Local Government Committee on Assembly Bill 24.

This month in the Madison

This month has been one of the busiest, in terms of researching bills and welcoming constituents to the Wisconsin State Capitol, of my two-year tenure.  I had the opportunity to speak to a group of civic-minded libertarian students who were enrolled in the TeenPAC program, about being a "citizen" legislator.  These young men and women were well-versed on the seminal issues facing our state and nation and posed a multitude of thoughtful questions regarding the legislative process and structure of state government.

Speaking to TeenPAC participants about state government and the legislative process.

In addition to conversing with TeenPAC members, I participated in a panel discussion centered on local government issues, hosted by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, with Kenosha mayor, John Antaramian and other mayors from across Wisconsin.  I also welcomed constituents to the capitol who participated in various citizen lobbying days.  These groups included: The Wisconsin School Counselors Association; Ozaukee County Youth Apprenticeship Program; and the Ozaukee and Washington County Farm Bureaus.

Participating on a local government panel presentation hosted by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, with Kenosha mayor, John Antaramian.

Meeting with participants in the Ozaukee County Youth Apprenticeship program.

My staff and I meeting with a constituent who participated in the Association of School Counselors Legislative Day.

Meeting with members of the Ozaukee and Washington County Farm Bureaus.

Have a great week,

Stay up to date

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