COVID Response

On January 7, I cast my first vote on a legislative bill when I voted in favor of Assembly Bill 1, the COVID response bill.  As passed by the Assembly, AB 1 increases state resources for combatting COVID-19, ensures access to COVID testing and vaccines, supports hospitals and other front-line healthcare providers, and addresses the ongoing unemployment benefit backlog.  For example, AB 1 requires the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to come up with a plan to reduce the number of outstanding UI claims to what it was a year ago, before COVID-19 hit Wisconsin.

The Senate took up AB 1 on January 12 and approved a substitute amendment that made several significant changes to the bill.  Because the Senate amended AB 1, the bill returned to the Assembly, which on January 26 passed two additional amendments that restored several items the Senate had removed, including provisions that will prohibit employers and state and local health departments from requiring individuals to take the COVID vaccine.  AB 1 also allows houses of worship to decide for themselves whether to close their doors in response to COVID.  The Senate subsequently made an additional change to the bill, so AB 1 will come back to the Assembly.  A memo prepared by the nonpartisan Legislative Council summarizes each step of the AB 1 amendment process to date.

The Assembly met again on January 28 to take up additional COVID proposals intended to improve and expedite the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to Wisconsin residents. 

• Assembly Bill 4 expands the pool of people who are able to administer vaccines by allowing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines if they receive two hours of training and are supervised by a pharmacist.  AB 4 also allows pharmacy students who have completed two years of pharmacy school to administer vaccines under the supervision of any healthcare provider, not just a pharmacist, who is authorized to administer vaccines.
• Assembly Bill 5 includes several provisions that would speed up the COVID-19 vaccination process.  For example, it requires the Department of Health Services to include individuals age 60 or older in the highest level of priority.  The bill also requires DHS to develop a plan to begin vaccinating the general public by March 15 at the latest.

Assembly Bills 4 and 5 will now go the Senate for further consideration.

Ways and Means - and PPP

I attended my first committee meeting - the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means - on January 21.  The committee held a hearing on, and voted to approve, two bills, Assembly Bills 2 and 3. 

During the hearing on AB 2, several speakers expressed concerns about recent Wisconsin Department of Revenue guidance that suggests Wisconsin businesses that took out loans through the federal Personal Protection Program (PPP) may face unexpected state tax liabilities.  According to some sources, these liabilities could run to $450 million over four years, which would be a significant blow at a time when many businesses are still struggling to survive.  I have heard similar concerns from many businesses around the 75th Assembly District.

Many of the speakers at the hearing asked that AB 2 be modified to reflect PPP-related changes to federal tax law that were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the COVID relief bill Congress passed and President Trump signed into law late last year.  I am happy to say that I am working with Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) on amendments to AB 2 and its companion, Senate Bill 2, that will do just that.

Goodbye from Representative Quinn

Before I was elected to the Assembly, I had many opportunities to work with Rep. Romaine Quinn.  He was a forceful voice for the 75th Assembly District for three terms, and it's an honor to succeed him.  In this video, he reflects on his time in the Legislature.  I wish him the best, and I am sure many of you do, too.

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.