Disability Accommodations Used for GOP Power Grab

One of the more frustrating things that happened during Thursday’s floor session was the introduction Assembly Resolution 12. This resolution tied disability accommodations for a member of the Assembly to other rule changes that consolidate power of the majority party, including allowing unlimited attempts to override a veto and giving sweeping new powers to the Speaker.

As you likely know, my colleague, Rep. Jimmy Anderson of Fitchburg, is bound to a wheelchair.  Last December, he ended up with injuries to his body due to the long hours spent in his wheelchair during the Lame Duck session.  In an effort to not have this happen again, he made requests early in February to leadership for reasonable accommodations. Yet, Speaker Vos has spent months denying him and his constituents the respect they deserve.

The speaker’s petty refusal to provide the same reasonable accommodations to our colleague that we would expect and require of any employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act has been a mind-boggling. Republicans have treated what should be nonnegotiable – accommodating the full participation of individuals with disabilities – as a negotiation. Their refusal to act on Rep. Anderson’s request for reasonable accommodation without getting something for themselves in return is nothing short of shameful.

I highly recommend watching Rep. Anderson’s and my remarks regarding this appalling power grab.  

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First Responder of the Year Award for the 78^th Assembly District

Thursday’s session day did have some redeeming points, most notably because the State Assembly had a ceremony that honored a First Responder from almost all of the 99 Assembly Districts.

I had the privilege to present Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney with the First Responder of the Year Award for the 78^th Assembly District during our floor session. Sheriff Mahoney has given his career to protecting our local community. As Sheriff, he has kept the Dane County and the 78th Assembly District safe in a variety of ways, which brings the community closer together.

I was joined by Representatives Gary Hebl, Dianne Hesselbein, Melissa Sargent, Jimmy Anderson, Chris Taylor, Shelia Stubbs, Sondy Pope, Don Vruwink and Dave Considine in recognizing Sheriff Dave Mahoney’s selfless commitment, dedication and service to our community. I’m proud to call him my neighbor and present him with this award during First Responder Appreciation Month.

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Legislative Democrats Issue Fall Priorities

On Monday, my Democratic colleagues unveiled Forward Together, a list of priorities for the fall session that address the needs of Wisconsinites from every corner of the state. My fellow Democrats and I will continue to fight to lower health care costs, ensure financial stability, address the drinking water crisis, and more. While the GOP plans to limit legislative action and obstruct progress, Democrats remain focused on prioritizing the people of Wisconsin. Click here for the list of Democratic Legislative Priorities this fall.

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Great Peshtigo Fire

This past Tuesday, October 8^th, marked 148 years since the Great Peshtigo Fire which remains the deadliest fire in American History (also occurring on this date is more well-known Great Chicago Fire).

According to survivor accounts, the Peshtigo Fire was started by railroad workers clearing land for tracks and managed to start a brush fire, and was so hot that the Peshtigo River was the only safe haven. The area’s previous summer had been unusually dry allowing the fire to spread quickly. In addition to Peshtigo, the fire also burned 16 other towns, and scorched 1.2 million acres. The cost of the destruction was about the same as the Chicago Fire estimated around $169 million.  

If you ever find yourself in Peshtigo, you can visit The Peshtigo Fire Museum, located at the corner of Oconto Street and Ellis Avenue in a building that used to be a church.

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