Thank you for taking the time to read this week's e-update. I always strive to include information you find interesting and informative as it relates to my work in Madison and the 60th Assembly District.
My most important goal remains serving you, my constituents. Helping you find solutions to difficult problems when it seems like the state is unresponsive is the single greatest reward for my staff and me. I take constituents' input seriously and continually work hard on your behalf.
I always have your thoughts and concerns in mind when deciding whether or not to support legislation. Furthermore, I appreciate when you take time out of your schedules to contact me.
Have a great week,
This week's Survey
This week, the Assembly will vote on a second COVID-19 relief bill. The legislation contains a total of 44 provisions. Throughout the pandemic, the threat of predatory lawsuits alleging liability for COVID-19 exposures has been a major concern of businesses, schools, and non-profits. For example, businesses were worried patrons, who happened to test positive for COVID-19, would claim they contracted the virus at that respective business and seek legal action in complying with local public health orders and implementing best practices. In addition, schools and businesses were fearful that these lawsuits would cripple their entities financially.
In response to these fears, the second COVID-19 response bill includes liability protection. The liability exemption does not apply if reckless or intentional misconduct occurs. To simplify, if a grocery store follows CDC and local health guidelines and a shopper tests positive for COVID-19, the grocery store owner cannot be held liable.
I am interested in your feedback on this particular provision.
Please, take a moment to answer this week's survey question regarding liability protection.
Thank you to everyone who answered our previous survey question regarding the legislative budget process, it was nice to hear from you.
In total, 91 individuals responded, with 60 percent expressing support for allowing each committee of the legislature to participate in the budget process. Just 27 percent of respondents supported the status quo, placing all budgetary oversight authority in one committee, the Joint Committee on Finance.
What is more, 12 percent of respondents voted "other." Responses included:
"From what I see, the process described does not work at the federal level. We do not need omnibus state budget bills."
"The more oversight the better."
"There should be room for both. The Joint Finance Committee's decisions should be based on consultation with colleagues outside the committee with domain expertise."
"Getting more committees involved will lead to even more gridlock. Less is better this time."
"Each committee should review and then send their findings to the Joint Finance Committee for review."
Legislative Session
This week, the legislature will hold its inaugural floor period of the 2021-2023 session and will vote on comprehensive COVID-19 relief legislation, Assembly Bill 1. Additionally, the Assembly passed Assembly Joint Resolution 1, a proposal to reopen the people's house allow and allow for citizen access to the State Capitol, and Assembly Resolution 3, relating to election law violations. Both of these resolutions were approved 61-0, as Assembly Democrats refused to attend the in-person Inauguration Day ceremony at the Capitol. Instead, Democrats participated in a virtual swearing-in ceremony with Governor Tony Evers, last weekend.
Assembly Bill 1
COVID-19 has affected every citizen of our state, from our loved ones who have become ill to the hospital staff working long hours with overflowing beds, to the parents who have become teachers, and businesses who are struggling to stay afloat. Even with the distribution of a vaccine, Wisconsin is in need of additional relief.
After months of conversations with Governor Evers, health care professionals, businesses, parents and citizens, Assembly Republicans are introducing a bill to support our local communities and fight the virus. The bill contains 44 provisions with many agreed upon from our bipartisan discussions and extended from the previous COVID-19 relief bill.
Assembly Bill 1 includes some of the following provisions:
Establishes Medical Assistance payments for hospitals for nursing facility care
Creates reimbursement for outpatient services provided by hospitals
Includes coverage of vaccinations under SeniorCare
Authorizes Medical Assistance reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccines and tests administered by pharmacists.
Stipulates that local health officer orders, in response to communicable disease outbreaks, needs a maximum of 14 days unless the governing body of the local unit of government votes to extend the order.
Removes authority to forbid public gatherings in places of worship
Prohibits mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19
Prohibits vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment
Collection and reporting of public health emergency data
Civil liability exemption for certain entities related to COVID-19 claims
Expands full-time open enrollment; applications for 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years
School board requirements for virtual instruction
Addresses the backlog of unemployment insurance claims
Increases the waiting periods for unemployment insurance claims
Establishes legislative oversight of federal COVID-19 funds
Develops a plan to reopen the Wisconsin State Capitol and for state employees to return to in-person enrollment
Creates a Child Care and Development Fund block grant funding
Allows nursing home or assisted living visitation by essential visitors
Includes liability insurance for physicians and nurse anesthetists
Eliminates out-of-network costs related to health coverage
Coverage of COVID-19 test and vaccination without cost-sharing
Permits practice by healthcare providers from other states
Authorizes dentists to administer COVID-19 and influenza vaccines
If you have ideas for amendments or other provisions that you would like contained in this proposal, please let me know, I would be happy to consider them.
Assembly Joint Resolution 1
As denoted at the outset of this section, the Assembly passed a joint resolution allowing those areas of the Wisconsin State Capitol controlled by the legislative branch, to reopen to the public. Taxpayers own the Capitol and their inability to visit the building, or meet with their elected representatives, inhibits their ability to participate in the democratic process.
On March 26, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) closed the State Capitol building to the public on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, however, DOA has reopened the Capitol building to the public when the legislature is in session and when legislative committees convene.
The result of this DOA action is that the public lacks access to those areas of the State Capitol building that are reserved exclusively for legislative uses except when the legislature is in session or its committees meet. In this way, DOA has determined, without legislative approval, that these are the only legislative proceedings that require the Capitol building to be open to the public.
In addition, if a legislator wishes to hold open office hours, DOA's current restrictions prohibit constituents from entering the building to meet with their elected representatives. DOA's closure of the "people's house" has also prevented lawmakers from meeting in the Capitol with constituents to discuss pending legislation.
It is time for us to reopen the Wisconsin State Capitol to allow the hardworking taxpayers of this state to participate in the entire democratic process.
Assembly Joint Resolution 3
While symbolic, this resolution put our leadership team on record stating that election integrity will be one of the Assembly's foremost priorities during the 2021-2023 legislative session. The amendment states, "The members of the Wisconsin State Assembly place the redress to these and other election law violations and failed administrative procedures as its highest priority and shall take up legislation crafted to ensure civil offices follow the laws as written."
Currently, I am working with my colleagues on a comprehensive election-reform proposal designed to prohibit ballot harvesting, clarify the methods by which ballots are counted, and eliminate indefinite confinement, to name a few. As more details become available, my office will keep you abreast.
Inauguration 2021
This week, the Wisconsin State Assembly held an inauguration ceremony for the 105th session of the legislature. I had the distinct honor of being sworn-in four a fourth term to the 60th Assembly District.
I am honored to continue serving as a voice for you, my constituents. I look forward to being a bold advocate for libertarian change within my caucus. Just like many of you, I have become disappointed and angered with the legislature's inaction over the past nine months. For that reason, I challenged Robin Vos for Speaker of the Assembly. Despite an unsuccessful effort, I will continue to address election reform, sustainable transportation funding, and policies that support small businesses.
At the outset of this new session, Wisconsin continues to battle COVID-19, and I will make it a priority to support solutions that provide our health departments with the flexibility and tools they need to address the pandemic. My focus for this session remains the same: Ensuring that Wisconsin remains a strong state to live, work, and raise a family.
Committees
This session I'll be serving on the following committees:
Because I ran against Robin Vos for Assembly Speaker and steadfastly defended my conservative principles, I did not receive a committee chairmanship. I am one of just four Assembly Republicans, all of us steadfast conservatives, who did not receive a committee chairmanship; retribution and retaliation are alive and well in Madison. I will continue to challenge my leadership team throughout the session if I feel we have abdicated our constitutional responsibilities.
I'm looking forward to being your voice on these important committees. As information regarding committee hearings becomes available, my office will keep you abreast.
Participating in an Assembly Committee hearing, last session.
New Social Media Account
As noted, I have joined the new social media platform, Parler. For those who have yet to do so, please consider following me at: @RepRobBrooks. As we do with Facebook and Twitter, my staff and I will make it a priority to respond to your comments, questions, or concerns, in a timely fashion. I look forward to hearing from you and value your input.
Stay up to date
One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Rob Brooks State Capitol, Room 216 North P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0060 or (608) 267-2369 Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.wi.gov| |
