So-called “Right to Work” Now in the Assembly

Yesterday, the Assembly Labor Committee held a public hearing on AB 61, the Assembly version of the so-called “Right to Work” bill. Residents from all over Wisconsin came to the Capitol and waited hours to testify against passage of the bill. Like at the Senate hearing, yesterday’s testimony was overwhelming in opposition to the bill. 

We expect to be on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday to debate the bill. Instead of working to restore economic opportunity for the hardworking people of our state, we will be debating this fast-tracked effort by Republicans to strip workers of their rights and drive down wages.

Please make your voice heard on RTW by signing our petition to oppose the bill. Click here to sign on now.

Budget Listening Session

Last Thursday, Senator Fred Risser and I hosted a budget listening session in the district. Thank you to all who came, spoke, and shared your concerns about Governor Walker’s proposed budget..

We heard clearly that our constituents value higher education and our K-12 neighborhood schools, our natural resources, ensuring our most vulnerable neighbors have the services they need, and ensuring economic and educational opportunity for all. The Governor’s budget does not represent the values of working Wisconsinites. I am committed to fighting for a budget that reflects our values and restores economic opportunity for all of Wisconsin’s residents..

Save SeniorCare

The deadline to collect signatures to save SeniorCare has been extended to March 15^th. Thank you to those who have signed the petition or collected signatures.

Our petition to save SeniorCare is now available online. Click here to sign it, then share via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

We still have a printable petition, as well, that you can access by clicking here. I invite you to print, sign, collect some signatures, and send it back to my office. Please return the signed petitions to my office in the Capitol by March 15^th. Petitions may be dropped off or mailed. If you have any questions, please contact my office.

Gogebic Taconite Leaves Wisconsin

We have some good news from northern Wisconsin. Last week, Gogebic Taconite announced that the company is ending its efforts to build an open-pit iron mine between the community of Upson and Mineral Lake. From the very beginning, environmental experts and residents expressed serious concerns about the recently passed mining legislation that was written to meet the needs of one business and passed by the Legislature at lightning speed without any regard for what the environmental impact would be to northern Wisconsin’s wetlands, trout streams, lakes, wild rice beds, majestic forests, and drinking water. The decision by Gogebic to pull out of the mine is welcome news for those who fought against this mine and its impact on our natural resources, but we need to continue to be diligent in our fight to protect our environment.

Visit from Glenn Stephens Elementary School

On Friday, three classes of third graders from Glenn Stephens Elementary School came to visit the Capitol and learned more about state government. Students were able to have a seat in the Assembly chambers and were able to ask me questions about what I do in the legislature. I enjoyed answering the questions of this eager group of young citizens.