News from the Assembly Floor

The Assembly met on both Tuesday and Wednesday this week. There were a few of bi-partisan proposals that passed unanimously on both days, but much of Wednesday’s session was dominated by a package of Republican bills that would limit access to reproductive health care.

On Tuesday, the Assembly passed a resolution (AJR 75) recognizing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I was pleased to author this bipartisan resolution together with Sen. Kelda Roys, Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), and Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield).

Some of the other bills passed on Tuesday include:

+Assembly Bill 156- creates a state workforce housing tax credit program. This bill passed unanimously.

+Assembly Bill 314- promotes the export of Wisconsin’s agricultural and agribusiness products. This bill passed unanimously.

+Senate Bill 454- replaces the current reading readiness assessment program with a three-tiered early literacy screening program. My Democratic colleagues in the Senate attempted to amend the bill to improve it, but those amendments were defeated. This bill had opposition from teachers and school administrators around the state. The Assembly passed the language the Senate passed largely on a party-line vote.

+Assembly Bill 481- updates the registration process of fleet vehicles. This bill passed unanimously.

+Senate Bill 449- provides grants to schools to provide critical incident mapping data to law enforcement agencies. This bill passed unanimously, and now heads to the governor.

In addition to the abortion-related legislation, a few of the other bills passed on Wednesday include:

+Senate Bill 92- establishes initial training requirements for guardians.

+Senate Bill 538- prohibits discrimination in organ transplantation on the basis of disability.

+Senate Bill 555- makes changes to required subjects in a human growth and development instructional program.

There was one exception to the trend of limiting reproductive health care access. One bill that received overwhelming bipartisan support was Assembly Bill 36, which would permit pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives. I was happy to sponsor and work to pass this legislation to make sure women have safe and easy access to contraceptives. While I am pleased the bill has passed the Assembly, I was disappointed to see some Republicans voice opposition and vote against it in Health Committee and on the floor. I am also not optimistic about its chances to make it to the Senate floor, as there appear to be a number of Republicans there who do not want to advance it.

You can find Tuesday’s full agenda here, and Wednesday’s here.

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Captain Timothy Patton: 78^th Assembly District First Responder of the Year

Tuesday’s State Assembly session included a ceremony that honored a First Responder from most of the ninety-nine Assembly Districts. Captain Timothy Patton was nominated and chosen as the First Responder of the Year from the 78^th Assembly District. 

Captain Patton received two nominations: one from 78^th District resident and public safety advocate Dave Glomp, and the other from Captain Patton’s daughter, Rosemary, who previously interned in my office.

Captain Patton is a steadfast public servant who goes above and beyond his job description by performing the roles of landscaper, secretary, and mentor at the West District police station in addition to his roles as captain, husband, dad, son, and community member.

Captain Patton has been a life-long resident of Madison’s west side, making him ideally qualified for overseeing the West District of the City of Madison Police Department due to his firsthand knowledge of the area’s culture, growth, demographics, and policing needs. He engages with community leaders and neighborhood residents to make the west side safer for everyone. I am proud to call Captain Patton my neighbor and to present him with this award.

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COVID-19 Update

Dane County remains under its Face Covering Emergency Order until November 5. Face coverings are required for people ages two and older when in any enclosed space open to the public where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present and while driving or riding in any form of public transportation.

The CDC has recommended that people 65 and older and certain populations who are at high risk of COVID-19 who have received the a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine receive a booster shot at least six months after the completion of their vaccine primary series. This decision follows authorization by the FDA.

DHS recommends that the following populations SHOULD receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:

• People 65 years and older
• All residents in long-term care
• People ages 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions

DHS also recommends that anyone 18 years of age or older who received a one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine receive a booster at least 2 months after receiving their first dose in order to further strengthen their immunity.

For more information, view the DHS news release on COVID-19 booster shots.

The FDA has also voted to authorize the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. A CDC advisory panel will vote whether to authorize next. Should they approve, the director of the CDC will choose whether to endorse the panel’s decision. Soon after, the vaccine will begin to be distributed.

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Election Audit Complete

This week, the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released its report of Elections Administrations for the 2020 election. The LAB is a nationally recognized, non-partisan agency that supports the Legislature in its oversight of Wisconsin state government and its promotion of efficient and effective state operations. The audit released showed that the 2020 election was free, accurate, fair, and secure.

Despite the challenges our local election officials faced in the midst of unprecedented circumstances, there is still no evidence to prove any claims of widespread fraud promoted by Donald Trump and his followers. It is time to put these falsehoods to rest. It is irresponsible for Republicans to continue insinuating that the 2020 election wasn’t administered appropriately.

This audit showed what we already know - faced with significant challenges, our clerks administered a safe, secure, and fair election. As a member of the Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee, I will continue to fight for increased resources for training, technology, and staffing for our hardworking local clerks. We must thank our clerks properly and end the hyperbolic rhetoric that works only to sow the seeds of doubt and distrust in our democracy.

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Child Tax Credit

President Biden’s American Rescue plan, passed earlier this year, includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Eligible families can receive between $250 and $300 per month until at least the end of the year. Distribution of payments began on July 15.

• All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called head of household).

• The Child Tax Credit has been expanded to $3,000 per child 6-17 years old and $3,600 per child under 6.

• Roughly 39 million households – covering 65 million children (nearly 90% of children in the United States) – will automatically receive the new child tax credit.

• Payments will be monthly (via direct deposit for 80% of families and through the mail for the others) – at $250 per child between 6-17 or $300 per child under 6.

• Low-income families with children are eligible for this crucial tax relief – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. If a couple makes under $24,800, a head of household makes under $18,650, or a single filer makes under $12,400, and they have not filed their taxes, there is a simple, easy tool to sign up for the Child Tax Credit.

• The IRS has launched a simplified online tool which will allow families not automatically enrolled in the program to receive the Child Tax Credit.

You can learn more at ChildTaxCredit.gov.

GetCTC.org, the simplified filing tool, closes on November 15. Since the first payments were sent in July, Treasury and the IRS have delivered tens of billions of dollars to families including more than 60 million children each month. Unless Congress acts to extend the CTC, these monthly payments will stop in December. If you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit but don’t sign up for advance monthly payments by the November 15 deadline, you can still claim the full credit of up to $3,600 per child by filing your taxes next year. 

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Wisconsin Fun Fact

October 25 marked the 185^th anniversary of the first meeting of Wisconsin’s territorial legislature in Belmont on October 25, 1836. The Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday recognizing this milestone.

In 1836, Lawmakers traveled from across the Wisconsin Territory, which at that time stretched from Lake Michigan to the Missouri River in the Dakotas, and from Canada to Missouri, to meet and pass 42 different legislative acts. These acts established our judicial system, designated a permanent capitol in Madison, established a university, called for various infrastructure projects, and prescribed the internal workings of the government. The proud tradition of this early legislature continues today, as the Wisconsin State Assembly & Senate consider, deliberate, and approve various changes to our laws.

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