Constituent Call

  I want to tell you about a call I had recently with a constituent. An “abortion preservation” bill was introduced a few weeks ago by some of the Democratic representatives, and this constituent contacted my office asking me to co-sponsor that bill. I try to call those who contact my office back and I did so with this individual. I explained to her that I could never co-sponsor a bill to preserve abortion because I was pro-life and believed abortion took the life of an unborn baby. I let her know I believed life, even when begun under less than ideal circumstances, was sacred from conception to natural death. I did not say this, but my belief comes from the fact that life is created by God and man has no right to destroy that creation. She then asked me a question and I want to share my reply with you. She asked me, “Are you down in Madison to represent this district or your own views on issues?” What a great question and it deserves a thoughtful answer!

I reminded her it was clear when I ran for this position that I was pro-life and it was known that I was endorsed by Wisconsin Right-to-Life, Pro-life Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Family Council. Furthermore, I reminded her I won the general election by almost 66% of the vote cast. I was not a single-issue candidate, and I am certain some people did not vote for me simply because I am pro-life. I’ve always said, if you can agree with a candidate 75-80% of the time, they deserve your support. I am a fiscal conservative who believes in limited government and regulation, quality education, skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and personal responsibility, as do many on my political team. I am certain some voters supported me because of these beliefs.

Getting back to the pro-life issue, I also reminded this individual that my theme during the election was to represent the values of the 69^th Assembly District. I believed because I won the election by a substantial margin and was elected by individuals who knew full-well they were electing a pro-life candidate, I was representing the pro-life values of this District. When the values of this District change, there will be another candidate who will win but for now, abortion preservation is not what the majority of the 69^th Assembly District desires.

As the representative for this District, I am here to help anyone with navigating the bureaucracy of government. I am here to serve my friends and neighbors. We may agree to disagree on some issues, but that does not keep me from serving them when necessary. I appreciate the conversation I had with this constituent and look forward to many more. Please feel free to contact my office with comments and questions. I am honored and privileged to serve you. 

International Women's Day

 International Women's Day was celebrated on Monday.  I am proud to be joined by my Republican colleagues of the Wisconsin State Assembly.  

Assembly Health Committee

 This week the Assembly Committee on Health passed 3 bills by unanimous vote:

• AB 124 - Allows dentists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines
• AB 125 - Relating to: regulation of physician assistants, creating a Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
• AB 148 - Relating to: state response to COVID-19 related to health services and practice of health care providers licensed outside of this state.

 These bills have already passed the Senate and will be considered on the Assembly floor on March 16th.

 For your information, if you click on the bill number you will be able to read the bill in its entirety. 

Election Process

  On Wednesday, an almost 4-hour informational hearing in the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections.  The Committee listened to testimony regarding an investigation into over $1,000,000 in grants to Green Bay from the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL).  Greenbay was part of 5 cities (Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, and Greenbay) that split a $6,300,000 donation from CTCL.  These cities were referred to as the WI-5 by CTCL and were given the money with conditions attached.

 Unfortunately, as a part of these conditions, a 3rd party organization was granted access to election administration by the Mayor's Staff.  Despite the City Clerk, who by state statute is in charge of the election process, opposed the conditions.  As part of this access to election administration, a private corporate employee was granted primary access to the central count room (the room could not be unlocked without his request).  After allegedly forcing the previous City Clerk out, the Mayor's Chief of Staff (now the City Clerk) intends to request additional grant money from CTCL, with conditions attached. 

  I am co-sponsoring a resolution that will grant the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections subpoena powers to further investigate the election process issues in Greenbay.  

Budget Listening Session

 My first listening session is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th from 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Owen City Hall (833 3rd street, Owen WI).  This will be a joint listening session with Representative James.  We look forward to gathering input from our constituents on the 2021-23 biennial budget.  

 Additionally, the Joint Committee on Finance has announced their Budget Road Show for this session.  These will be larger listening sessions with the members of the Joint Committee on Finance and will take place at:

•  UW-Whitewater in Whitewater (Friday, April 9)
• The Hodag Dome in Rhinelander (Wednesday, April 21)
• UW-Stout in Menomonie (Thursday, April 22)
• Virtual (Wednesday, April 28)

 If you would like to submit comments to any of these events please submit them to Budget.Comments@legis.wisconsin.gov. 

Contacting My Office

My Capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact Dylan, my Legislative Assistant, or me. We are always ready to assist you with your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other Capitol updates.