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Contents

Featured

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At the signing of the SSG Daniel D. Busch Memorial Highway Act, Governor Tony Evers, Senator Jon Erpenbach, and I spoke on SSG Daniel D. Busch's courage. 

First Responder of the Year 

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On October 8th, the State Assembly honored each district’s First Responder of the Year. In August, I asked the municipalities in the 81st Assembly District to submit nominations for who they believe should represent the district as the First Responder of the Year. My office received nominations from four outstanding first responders: Alan Wildman, Matthew Koepp, Bob Henry, and Jim Wick. Jim Wick, who serves as the Dane County District One EMS Director, was given the honor. Mr. Wick was invited onto the Assembly floor for a ceremony and received a citation for the award. I am proud to represent Jim Wick and every other first responder in the 81st Assembly District who sacrifice so much to keep our communities safe.

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Session Update

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Since my last update, the Wisconsin State Assembly convened three times. Notably, on November 7th the Wisconsin State Assembly rejected Governor Evers’ call for a special session on gun safety. The special session called for universal background checks on firearm purchases and the creation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). Both bills are commonsense and data-driven policies that have proven to work in both red and blue states. 

I know many of you feel passionate about this topic. As a gun-owner, I understand the complexity of this issue firsthand. I believe in the right to bear arms and the right to due process. I take a centrist position because I know that our communities are not as safe as they could be. These bills are reasonable steps that we can take at the state level to ensure our safety and wellbeing in Wisconsin without infringing on our constitutional rights. I am proud of Governor Evers’ leadership on this issue.

I believe our opportunity to debate critical issues is an important part of our democratic process. That is why my biggest disappointment in the rejection of this special session is that the Assembly was not given any chance to debate these bills. 

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There are many issues that the State legislature still needs to address in the upcoming year. In the 9 days the State Assembly met to vote on bills in 2019, we did not pass meaningful legislation to keep our drinking water clean, close the Dark Store Loophole, create a non-partisan redistricting system, or expand Medicaid. With that being said, I will continue to listen to your thoughts and will advocate for you at the Capitol on these issues. 

SSG Daniel D. Busch Memorial Highway Act

Last Tuesday, Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 77 into law. This bill designates a portion of State Highway 33 as the Staff Sergeant (SSG) Daniel D. Busch Memorial Highway. Governor Evers signed this bill into law at Portage High School with SSG Busch’s family and friends in attendance.

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I am very proud to have worked with SSG Dan Busch’s family to author this bill and move it through the legislative process. SSG Busch is an incredible hero to this country and his family, and naming this piece of State Highway 33 is one small way that we can demonstrate our appreciation for his service. I hope that when people pass the SSG Daniel D. Busch Memorial Highway sign they remember Dan's service, as well as the service of all our veterans.

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Seasonal Update

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and get the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. Please note my Capitol office will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will be back for normal office hours on Monday, December 2nd.

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Also, good luck to all hunters during this November gun-deer season. Make sure to stay safe, and I hope you see the big one!