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
Last month, Representative Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls), chair of the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, issued subpoenas demanding all ballots and voting machines from Brown and Milwaukee Counties, as part of a "full forensic audit" of the 2020 presidential election.
In March, Assembly Republicans authorized a resolution allowing the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and elections to investigate the results of the 2020 election. Wisconsin law states that legislative subpoenas must be signed by the Assembly Speaker or Senate Majority Leader and the chief clerk. At this writing, none of the following individuals have signed Brandtjen's subpoena request.
According to the Associated Press, "Brandtjen issued subpoenas Friday to clerks in Milwaukee and Brown Counties, which includes Green Bay. She demanded they appear before the committee on September 7th and turn over all ballots and voters' names and addresses. She also wants their election equipment, from tabulation machines to servers." Neither Brown County nor Milwaukee County intends to comply with the subpoena request.
In addition to Representative Brandtjen's probe, the Assembly Joint Legislative Audit Committee, earlier this year, voted to allow the state's nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct its own audit of the 2020 election. Since the beginning of the year, the Joint Legislative Audit Bureau has released audit reports on several consequential issues, chiefly:
The audit being conducted by the Legislative Audit Bureau is expected to cover:
Efforts by the Wisconsin Elections Commission to comply with election laws, including working with clerks to ensure voter registration data include only registered voters, and providing training and guidance to clerks.
Efforts by clerks to comply with election laws, including administering elections, processing absentee ballots, and performing recount responsibilities, as well as the observation and concerns of clerks regarding election administration.
The use of electronic voting systems, including the methodology and results of the Wisconsin Elections Commission's most recent statutorily required post-election audit and the actions taken as a result of the audit.
And, lastly, general election-related complaints filed with the Elections Commission and clerks, as well as how those complaints were addressed.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, "The committee allowed officials a broad scope of inquiry, but the Audit Bureau has proposed looking into efforts by the Wisconsin Elections Commission to comply with state election laws, including its work with local election officials to ensure voter registration data includes only eligible voters and providing training and guidance to clerks...The audit is also expected to examine whether local clerks complied with election laws, including administering elections, processing absentee ballots, and performing recount responsibilities." The audit is open-ended, which means the Legislative Audit Bureau has wide latitude to investigate the 2020 election. A final report of their findings is expected later this year.
Representative Brandjten, explaining why she initiated a separate election audit, wrote, "I understand the Legislative Audit Bureau is conducting an audit, however, many constituents have raised objections due to the length of time it has taken and the lack of specifics, as it is open-ended. I also appreciate that the Committee on Assembly Organization has authorized the Speaker to hire legal counsel and employ investigators to assist the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections in investigating the administration of elections in Wisconsin and that additional resources are being provided for this purpose. I sincerely welcome and applaud these efforts, however, the people of Wisconsin demand and deserve a full, cyber-forensic audit as described in the subpoenas submitted to both Brown and Milwaukee Counties."
It is estimated that the election audit could cost $680,000 in taxpayer money. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos posited that a cyber-forensic audit is a necessary part of the legislature's review of the 2020 election. Of the ongoing audits, Speaker Vos said, "Assembly Republicans have been working with (former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice) Michael Gableman to conduct a swift, complete and thorough investigation. Part of our discussion has been focused on hiring independent contractors to enhance our efforts. We believe a cyber-forensic audit is necessary to ensure issues did not happen in 2020. We have allocated additional resources to Justice Gableman to ensure this investigation gets to the truth."
Please, take a minute to answer this week's survey question regarding the need for a cyber-forensic audit.
Thank you for answering my most recent survey question regarding unemployment insurance benefits for employees who refuse to get the COVID-19 shot as a condition of employment. In total, 166 individuals responded to this week's survey question, with fifty-five percent in support of making those who refuse the COVID-19 shot as a condition of employment, eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Conversely, thirty-two percent of respondents opposed unemployment insurance eligibility for these individuals.
Thirteen percent of respondents voted "other." Responses include:
"Employers should not be allowed to fire someone due to a personal decision made regarding their health."
"I am baffled by your reasoning that it is okay to pay people to refuse a vaccine that is essential for public health, but it is not okay to pay people if they cannot find a job. People who refuse the vaccine are being fired for cause and are not eligible for unemployment benefits."
"I am in support only if the employee is terminated. Including voluntary termination does not make sense, as the individual was not forced to leave."
"An employer has the right to dictate what his employees can and cannot do. Employees have the freedom to quit and seek employment elsewhere. The government should not pay them unemployment benefits if they quit."
Blue Books
Next week, everyone's favorite almanac of state government, The Wisconsin State Blue Book, will be delivered to legislative offices. Published biennially since 1853, the Wisconsin State Blue Book is the oldest publication in Wisconsin. Initially, the publication served as a manual for the State Assembly, a pocket-sized volume of fewer than one-hundred pages, and designed for legislators to have information about state government at their fingertips.
According to the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, the principal authors of this venerable publication, "Over the decades, the Blue Book evolved in size, scope, and purpose. The Blue Book's many iterations were caused by the increased availability of information about state government and the public. By 2015, the Blue Book exceeded one-thousand pages and was laden with dense statistical information that history buffs and political junkies would find engrossing; everyday Wisconsinites, conversely, would find this information uninteresting.
The 2021-2022 Blue Book, the third since the publication was revamped, will provide citizens with enthralling content regarding Wisconsin history and government. The publication is intended to serve as an introduction to state and local government, not the primary source for information regarding these entities. More substantive and timely information can be accessed through the legislature's website.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the 2021-2022 Wisconsin State Blue Book, please click the following link. My staff and I will make it a priority to ensure your copy arrives in a timely fashion.
Events
The following events will be held this week in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events you would like included in my e-update, please 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| Read Online |
