What's on Deck?

The State Assembly will be back in session next week and I am excited to share that three proposals I authored will be considered by the full Assembly.

Assembly Bill (AB) 625 - Employment First Bill
In a few of my past e-updates, I have discussed my Employment First Bill, AB 625.  This bill promotes competitive integrated employment (CIE) for individuals with disabilities while also preserving choice of allowable services.  CIE is the employment of people with disabilities in a workplace in the community working alongside people without a disability.

This bill is an idea that originated more than two years ago in Medford and I am proud of the bipartisan support it has received in the legislature.  It is truly gratifying to see this proposal from the 87th District finally on the way to the Assembly floor.

Senate Bill (SB) 404 - LLC Filing Fee Exemption for Student Entrepreneurs
For students, starting their own business can often be challenging, but as a state, we want to encourage these young entrepreneurs to build their businesses in Wisconsin.  That is why I authored SB 404 with Senator Testin, which exempts students in a post-secondary Wisconsin institution from paying the initial $130 filing fee for creating a limited liability company (LLC).  This exemption will free up the funds for investment in the LLC itself giving these students more resources to get their small business off the ground.

SB 404 was approved unanimously by the senate last month, and I look forward to approving it in the Assembly and sending it to the governor's desk.

Assembly Bill (AB) 870 - Camp Doctor Bill
In my last e-update, I shared information about AB 870 which makes it easier for doctors licensed in other states to volunteer as a camp doctor in Wisconsin.  I am excited to see this common sense legislation continue to move through the legislative process.

Floor Session Wrap Up

It was a busy week in Madison this week with the Assembly on the floor on both Tuesday and Thursday.  Here is an update on a few of the proposals that the Assembly took up this week.

Increasing Funding for Rural Schools
In my last e-update, I shared my support for Assembly Bill (AB) 835 which increases funding for the sparsity aid program for rural school districts as well as raises the low revenue adjustment for low spending school districts.  I am pleased to report that the Assembly approved this legislation with broad bipartisan support on Tuesday.

Students in our rural schools deserve the same opportunities as students in other parts of the state.  This legislation helps ensure that our rural schools have the resources they need to provide a high-quality education to their students.  While this legislation does not fix all of the problems our rural schools face, it is a strong step in the right direction.

Foster Forward
During Tuesday's floor session, the Assembly passed a package of 13 bipartisan bills to help reform the foster care system to work better for children and families.  These bills known as the “Foster Forward” package were a product of the Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care and were approved by the Assembly with wide bipartisan support.

These proposals make improvements to the child welfare system by increasing supports for the child welfare agencies, caseworkers, and foster parents.  The bills also provide additional services to foster children while they are in the system and when they age out of it.  In addition, the package places a priority on prevention to keep children from entering the child welfare system in the first place.

Helping People to Move from Welfare to Work
Yesterday the Assembly approved the Wisconsin Works for Everyone welfare reform package.  This 10 bill package promotes accountability and personal responsibility, while also preventing fraud and abuse in our public assistance programs.

It is important to support those in need, but we also need to make sure that people who are receiving public assistance are given the tools they need to work their way off these programs and into a job that will allow them to provide their families and build a better life.  All around the district I see businesses with help wanted signs in the window.  With Wisconsin's unemployment rate at a historic low, we need everyone who is able to work to become a part of our workforce and keep our state’s economy strong.

Rep. Edming speaks on the Assembly floor

Under the Dome

State of the Tribes Address
Each year the 11 tribal nations of Wisconsin come to Madison and provide an update to the legislature on the state of the tribes in our state and to share their priorities with legislators.  It was great to see folks from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians at the Capitol for the address.

If you would like to watch the address click here to watch on Wisconsin Eye.

The 87th Comes to Madison
During a busy day at the Capitol yesterday I had the opportunity meet with some folks from the 87th District and introduce them to the Assembly during our floor session.  Anna Taylor from Flambeau High School was in Madison participating in the Wisconsin Senate Scholar program which is an intense week-long crash course on the state legislature.  Anna plans to continue her education at UW-Madison in the fall majoring in Political Science and History.

I also had the chance to talk with Laurie Seale and the Wininger family, from the Gilman area.  They are deer farmers who came down to talk about issues important to their industry.

Rep. Edming with Senate Scholar, Anna Taylor

(L-R) Laurie Seale, Rep. Edming, Abram, Nathan, and Cathy Wininger

Around the 87th

Visit to Athens Elementary School
Last week, I had the chance to stop by Mr. Todd Diethelm's 4th Grade Class at Athens Elementary School, and discuss state government with the students. What a great opportunity to talk with such a bright group of young people!

Escadore Area Lake Ice Fishing Contest
A while back, I was able to spend some time at the Escadore Area Ice Fishing Contest in Taylor County.  What a great way to spend a day!

Stay Up to Date

One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison. Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans). You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.