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, two of my Democratic colleagues, Representative Sondy Pope of Mount Horeb and Senator Janis Ringhand of Evansville, once again introduced legislation that would place burdensome new requirements on private sector businesses.
Their legislation, LRB-0323, would mandate that private sector employers expand the Family Medical Leave Act to include grandparents, grandchildren and siblings; lowers the threshold number of employees above which an employer must allow an employee to take family or medical leave, and establishes a family and medical leave insurance program under which certain covered individuals may receive benefits while taking family or medical leave.
The Wisconsin Family Medical Leave Insurance Act would expand the state's current Family Medical Leave Act by allowing employees to take family leave to care for anyone covered under the current law plus grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and any eligible employee who has an eligible family member deployed overseas by the military.
While I understand the intent of this legislation, I have several concerns. First, I believe lowering the threshold number of employees will adversely impact small employers.
Second, the legislation, as written, is too expansive in the total number of individuals it includes. I could understand an employee being granted medical leave for an ailing spouse or child, but to mandate the inclusion of grandparents, grandchildren, etc., goes too far, in my opinion.
There is nothing in the law prohibiting paid leave if an employer and employee reach an agreement.
Please, take a minute to answer my one-question survey regarding FMLA expansion.
Thank you to everyone who answered this week's survey question regarding the publication of the State of Wisconsin Blue Book. An overwhelming majority of respondents argued that Wisconsin needs to stop printing hardcover Blue Books and instead, transition to an electronic-only publication or paperback edition.
In total, 112 constituents answered this week's survey question, with 49 percent in support of an electronic-only publication, 31 percent in favor of transitioning to a paperback edition, 6 percent in support of continuing to print hardcover Blue Books, and 4 percent in favor of eliminating printing and distribution. Additionally, 10 percent of participants responded "other." Responses include:
"Take pre-orders to see if it is even worth printing. If there still is not a demand, transition to an electronic-only publication."
"Transition to a limited print-on-demand model. A hardcover copy should still be available in public libraries. Otherwise, transition to an electronic-only publication."
"Don't have a set amount for every district. If a district has trouble getting rid of their full allotment, they should receive fewer copies the following biennium."
Supreme Court Petition
This week, I had the distinct privilege of testifying before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on a petition relating to increased training on domestic violence for guardians ad litem. This petition originated in the Study Committee on Child Placement and Support that I chaired last summer.
Currently, lawyers must have 6 hours of GAL education prior to accepting an initial GAL appointment within family law proceedings. GALs are also required to have 6 education hours for subsequent appointment.
Under the petition, the study committed advocated for 3of the6 initial education hours need to be focused on the dynamics and impact of family violence. Additionally, the study committee asked for 1 of the 6 subsequent education hours to concentrate on this topic.
One of recurring issues during the study committee’s work was guardians ad litem. There was a consensus that GALs need further training to understand the numerous issues that impact placement decisions. The committee weighed several areas where they thought additional training would benefit GALs including, opioid addiction and alcohol abuse. Ultimately, increased training on domestic abuse garnered the most support.
After a public hearing, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has verbally indicated that it plans to expand upon the study committee’s rule change request. The Supreme Court will now require GALs to have 9 hours of GAL education prior to accepting an initial family law GAL appointment. An additional 3 credits will need to focus solely on family violence. The Supreme Court also accepted the request for 1-of -6 subsequent education hours to relate to family violence.
Domestic abuse is, unfortunately, an issue that continues to plague many of the families navigating through Wisconsin’s family law system. I have a deep appreciation for the integral role that GALs play in the placement of children during custody battles. The study committee members and I wanted to ensure that GALs truly have proper training when dealing with these extremely sensitive situations. So much of a child’s placement schedule depends on the GAL’s recommendation to the court and I am pleased that the Supreme Court recognizes the need for GALs to have the necessary training to advocate for the best interest of the child. I look forward to continuing to explore methods to support families and practitioners who are involved in the family law system.
Earlier this year, I was recognized as the Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association's Legislator of the Year for my continued efforts to advocate for children across Wisconsin.
This week at the Wisconsin State Capitol has been extraordinarily busy. In addition to testifying before the Supreme Court, I participated in a Governor's Task Force Payroll Fraud and Misclassification meeting, and attended four public hearings and executive sessions for committees on which I serve.
The Assembly Committee on Local Government held a public hearing on two bills that came out of the Speaker's Task Force on Suicide Prevention, AB 527 and AB 530. I intend to support both of these common-sense, bipartisan bills when they come to the floor for final passage.
Assembly Committee on Judiciary:
Two of the bills heard in this week's public hearing related to DWI-related issues. The first, Assembly Bill 356, updates and strengthens Wisconsin laws relating to operating an ATV while under the influence of alcohol.
The second, Assembly Bill 222, makes technical changes to Wisconsin State Statutes providing for revocation of a person's operating privileges for certain offenses related to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate:
A public hearing was held on Assembly Bills 544, relating to workforce housing tax credits and 445, legislation that would make an exception to commercial building code requirements for the installation or operation of a stairway chair lift in a church constructed prior to 1919.
Assembly Committee on Ways and Means:
The Assembly's tax-writing committee held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 49, legislation authorizing the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands to delegate authority to invest trust fund dollars.
Furthermore, a public hearing was held on Assembly Bill 395. This bill, quite simply, repeals outmoded refundable tax credits. The following refundable tax credits would be eliminated, if this legislation is signed into law:
The meat processing facility investment credit
The food processing and warehouse investment credit
The film production company investment credit
The film production services credit
The dairy manufacturing facility investment credit
The beginning farmer and farm asset owner credit
The woody biomass harvesting and processing credit
Participating in an Assembly Committee on Local Government public hearing.
State of Wisconsin Blue Book
As noted last week, the 2019-2020 State of Wisconsin Blue Book is now available. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of everyone's favorite almanac of Wisconsin politics, please click the following link. My staff and I will work to ensure your copy arrives in a timely fashion.
60th District Events
The following are events that will be held this week in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events that you would like included, do not hesitate to contact my office.
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| |
