Rep. Ohnstad and Legislative Colleagues Wear Red

In Support of Go Red For Women

Budget Address Reaction

On Wednesday, Governor Walker unveiled his proposal for the 2017-19 state biennial budget. Several of the major components of his budget have been highlighted in news coverage since Wednesday evening, and two things are clear from this proposal: Governor Walker is running for re-election and he knows the people of Wisconsin aren’t buying what he’s been selling the last six years.

After inflicting serious damage for six long years onto our public schools, our technical colleges, the UW System, our outdoor spaces, and, sadly, many Wisconsin families themselves, Gov. Walker knows the public has caught on to his mean-spirited policies and political giveaways. With this budget, Gov. Walker is hoping the public will forget about his disastrous record. But Wisconsinites are smarter than that.

What Wisconsin needs is a budget which prioritizes struggling public schools. A budget which comprehensively addresses Wisconsin’s run-down roads and highways. A budget which gets rid of the offensive tax giveaways Gov. Walker has given to the wealthiest in Wisconsin. A budget which provides real, meaningful support for Wisconsin’s seniors, disabled individuals, and hardworking families who are struggling to get by. I’m disappointed to see Governor Walker’s budget does none of those things.

At first glance, this is a budget grounded in political ambition. In the coming weeks, I will be reviewing the budget’s fine print to identify and understand the hidden proposals Governor Walker didn’t mention in his speech. History has shown there is always more to one of Governor Walker’s budgets than meets the eye.

Rep. Ohnstad Proposes Legislation to Combat Hate Crime in Wisconsin

In recent months, renewed attention has been brought to the issue of hate crimes in our state and our nation. The FBI recently reported that attacks against American Muslims rose in 2015, up by 340 from the year before to a total of 5,818 nationwide. Since early November, the Southern Poverty Law Center has received reports of more than 400 incidents of hateful intimidation or harassment nationwide. There have also been increased reports of vandalism to synagogues across the country, not to mention increased attacks on African American and Hispanic individuals.

Unfortunately, we have been witnessing such actions here in Wisconsin as well. Just last month, a family in Kenosha reported being targeted due to a possible hate crime; their car tires were slashed and a yard sign displayed at their home was defaced with racial slurs.

To give Wisconsinites another tool to report suspected hate crimes and to remind all Wisconsinites that hate is neither welcome nor tolerated in our state, I am proud to be introducing legislation to establish a Hate Crimes Hotline. The hotline would not take the place of calling 911 in an emergency. Rather, it would be another way in which Wisconsin shows it does not welcome or tolerate hate crimes or any bias-based harassment or intimidation.

I am joined by State Senator LaTonya Johnson of Milwaukee in introducing this bill. Many of you may remember Senator Johnson from her remarks at the UAW Local 72 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner last month. We believe creating a hate crime hotline is a common sense step to take in combating hate crimes and discriminatory behaviors in our state. I will keep you updated as our bill receives an official bill number and begins to move through the legislative process.

Rep. Ohnstad Calls on Speaker Ryan, Governor Walker to stop their attacks on Planned Parenthood

Rep. Ohnstad joined fellow Assembly Democratic legislators and staff in wearing pink in honor of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

For the last several years, Planned Parenthood has again been under attack by Republicans in Madison and in Washington, despite 62% of Americans being opposed to eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, now that the Republicans have political control of both the federal level and state level of government here in Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood is facing more political attacks than ever. Speaker Ryan is working to cut all federal funds from Planned Parenthood, even though federal law already prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions. Governor Walker has frequently boasted about removing all state funding for Planned Parenthood in 2011.

Unfortunately, Speaker Ryan's and Governor Walker's political rhetoric and priorities come at the expense of thousands of Wisconsinites who rely on Planned Parenthood for needed health care. Approximately 50,000 Wisconsinites enrolled in Medicaid receive basic healthcare services from Planned Parenthood, including 6,000 folks from the 1st congressional district alone. We know firsthand in Wisconsin that removing healthcare services from so many would result in many, many individuals simply going without necessary care.

In late January, I joined Democratic colleagues from both houses in calling on Speaker Ryan and Governor Walker to put their constituents' needs ahead of their partisan politics. You can view each letter by clicking HERE and HERE. Neither the Speaker nor the Governor have yet responded, but I remain hopeful the actions being taken by the thousands of Wisconsinites asking them to leave Planned Parenthood alone will ultimately be recognized and respected.

Rep. Ohnstad joins colleagues in calling on Gov. Walker to oppose Muslim ban

I joined with several of my legislative colleagues in signing onto a letter asking Governor Walker to denounce President Trump's executive order banning refugees from entering the United States as well as travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The letter also requested that Governor Walker vow to protect the refugees who have already resettled in Wisconsin from persecution. You can view the letter HERE.

I wanted to make it clear that even though President Trump attempted to sow seeds of discord, constitutional guarantees are afforded to everyone and should be respected by all, including Governor Walker.

Rep. Ohnstad and Sen. Bob Wirch and others march against President Trump's unconstitutional Muslim Ban (Photo credit: Karen Kempinen)

Thus far, Governor Walker has not responded to this letter, nor has he stated any opposition to the ban. Just last night, however, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed the ban is unconstitutional and refused to allow the Trump Administration to carry it out.