Thank you for taking the time to check out this edition of my e-update. I am looking forward to sharing with you a bit about what I have been up to this week as your state representative.
As you are aware, the Christmas season is in full swing. According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. shoppers will spend $143.7 billion online this season, an increase of over 14% from last year. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has some tips and advice on how to shop safely and not gift to online scammers instead. If you are purchasing gifts online this year, I encourage you to take a look at DATCP's website to avoid being scammed this Christmas.
As always, if you would like to share your thoughts or concerns on any state issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I look forward to hearing from you.
Continuing to Fight for Northern Wisconsin
Recently, some of my Assembly colleagues and I learned that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) was in the process of closing the two northern Unemployment Insurance Hearing offices in Eau Claire and Appleton. When there is a dispute in an unemployment claim, these hearing offices are where an individual or business can receive an in-person hearing in front of an administrative law judge. With the closure of these two northern offices, the only other locations where in-person hearings are currently held are in Madison and Milwaukee.
For most of the folks in the 87th District, the trip to Madison is 3-4 hours one way and hundreds of miles round trip. Serving as your state representative, I know this first-hand. There is no reason that the people of northern Wisconsin who have a disputed unemployment insurance claim should have to travel long distances to receive an in-person hearing. Unfortunately, this decision appears to be a part of a trend by Governor Evers' administration to consolidate more services in Dane and Milwaukee counties. That is why earlier this week I, as chairman of the Assembly Labor and Integrated Employment Committee, along with Representative Warren Petryk, chairman of the Assembly Workforce Development Committee, and 25 other Assembly Republicans sent a letter to DWD Secretary Designee Caleb Frostman asking him to reconsider this decision.
I am pleased to see in response to our letter that DWD is now looking to find ways to reduce travel times and offer in-person hearings upon advanced request if it is determined that good cause exists or the complexity of the case requires it. While it is good to hear that DWD is looking for ways to continue to provide in-person hearings in northern Wisconsin, it is disappointing that this obvious inconvenience needed to be pointed out to a state agency. At this time, no specifics have been provided of how DWD will provide in-person hearings for disputed unemployment claims without these offices in place. We are also yet to learn if the same standard for in-person hearings will be applied statewide or just for those in northern Wisconsin. My colleagues and I will continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure that DWD actually follows through on what is best for the people of northern Wisconsin.
To learn more about this issue you can click here to read our press release on the matter. Also, Representative Petryk and I were interviewed this week by WEAU Channel 13 News. Click here to read WEAU's news story and to watch our interview.
Click on the photo above of Rep. Edming and Rep. Petryk to view WEAU's news story
Applicants Sought for Rusk County Register of Deeds
Recently, Rusk County Register of Deeds Carol Johnson announced that she would be stepping down effective December 31, 2019. I would like to thank her for years of service to the people of Rusk County and wish her well.
With this pending vacancy, Governor Evers' office is now accepting applications for an appointment to fill this position through the end of the current term which ends January 3, 2021. Those wishing to be considered for the position must submit an application to the governor's office online by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019. You can find the application on the governor's website, or by clicking here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Flora Csontos, the governor's Director of Gubernatorial Appointments, at govappointments@wisconsin.gov or by calling the governor's office at 608-266-1212.
Click here to read the press release from the governor's office.
Upcoming Events Around the 87th
Check out the following events happening around the district:
Do you know of any events in the district that I missed? Contact my office and let me know, so I can include it in a future e-update and try to attend myself.
Stay Tuned for My Christmas Message
Earlier this week, I took a look at some of the outstanding Christmas decorations around the Capitol, including the State Capitol Christmas Tree, while I shot my annual Christmas message. Be on the lookout for it on my Facebook page and in my next e-update.
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.
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If you have any thoughts regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
State Capitol Room 109 West - PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0087 or (608) 266-7506 Email: Rep.Edming@legis.wisconsin.gov
