An eventful first month in the Assembly came to an end yesterday when I joined my Assembly colleagues in voting to concur in Senate Joint Resolution 3, which ended Gov. Tony Evers’ January 19 declaration of a state public health emergency. The joint resolution also terminated the Governor’s actions and orders related to the emergency, including the statewide mask mandate.
I voted to end the emergency because I believe the Governor's actions were invalid. Wisconsin law clearly states that an emergency declaration may last no longer than 60 days unless the Legislature votes to extend the state of emergency. Governor Evers issued his first emergency declaration last March. That order expired in May. However, since July, the Governor issued new emergency declarations every two months – all based on the COVID-19 pandemic, not “new” emergencies. I believe these continuous end-runs around legislative oversight are an unacceptable overreach in violation of his statutory powers.
This isn't about about whether masks are good or bad, effective or ineffective - it's about whether the Governor and his agencies can ignore Wisconsin's laws. I joined my Assembly Republican colleagues in a letter to the Governor, asking him to work with the Legislature to develop reasonable health and safety measures through the legitimate rule-making process.
The Assembly also approved an amendment to Assembly Bill 1 that will allow the Governor to declare a COVID-related public health emergency only if it is necessary to do so in order to obtain federal COVID funding, but the Governor would not have his other emergency powers.
However, shortly after yesterday's Assembly votes, Governor Evers issued yet another emergency declaration and emergency order in what appears to be yet another abuse of his powers. I will not be at all surprised if the Legislature meets again in the near future to address this blatant prioritization of "my way or the highway" over transparency, accountability, and the constitutional separation of powers.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court also heard oral arguments about the legality of serial declarations of emergency last November, so they will be issuing a decision on this issue at some point - hopefully sooner rather than later.
Career and Technical Education
As both the Representative for Wisconsin’s 75th Assembly District and the executive director of the Barron County Economic Development Corporation, one of my top priorities is to ensure that employers across Wisconsin – and northwestern Wisconsin in particular – have access to a qualified workforce. Hundreds of good-paying, family-supporting jobs go unfilled in our region because employers are unable to connect with prospective employees who have the necessary skills. This shortfall affects everyone and prevents our communities from realizing their full potential.
Many of our K-12 schools have excellent career and technical education programs, but many people don't realize that, after high school, four-year colleges and universities are only one option out of many. Fortunately, Wisconsin is blessed with a robust technical college system that provides a wealth of learning opportunities that prepare motivated students to enter a number of lucrative careers.
Wisconsin’s technical colleges grant 28,000 credentials each year, and the median annual salary for a graduate with an associate’s degree is over $45,000. For graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, which covers most of the 75th District and has a campus in Rice Lake, the average is over $47,000. The statewide median salary for technical college students who complete apprenticeships is $81,000! These figures (among many more available through the Wisconsin Technical College System's website) demonstrate the importance that employers attach to a technical education. As Dr. Morna Foy, the system president, has said, “Career & Technical Education creates economic vitality for individuals, employers and communities throughout Wisconsin.”
February is Career and Technical Education Month, an excellent opportunity to remind our students about the lifelong rewards a technical education can offer, and I have introduced an Assembly resolution in recognition of the month. Beyond February, I hope to use my professional experience and my position on several economic development committees in the Assembly to expand the opportunities available to our students.
Legislative Website
If you are interested in learning more about bills that I have authored, co-sponsored, or voted on, please click here. This link will take you directly to my Wisconsin State Legislative page. Also, if you are interested in viewing my office website, click here.
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
