Thank you for taking some time to read this week's e-update. Below I discuss this week's Assembly floor session, where my colleagues and I considered legislation to encourage unemployed Wisconsinites to re-enter the workforce and to protect our 2nd Amendment rights.
As always, feel free to reach out to me and share your thoughts about issues before the legislature. Understanding my constituents' views on state issues helps me to make better decisions on your behalf.
Encouraging a Return to Work
On Tuesday, both houses of the legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) 336. This bill, that I've co-authored, will encourage unemployed individuals to return to work by ending Wisconsin’s participation in the temporary federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefit programs. These enhanced federal benefits aren't scheduled to end until September. During the Assembly floor debate, I spoke in favor of AB 336. If you would like to watch my speech you can click here or on the picture at the end of this story.
As I've said over the past few weeks as this bill worked through the legislative process, employers across the 87th Assembly District and the state are struggling to find enough employees to meet their needs. I've heard from employers around the district that are offering wages well above minimum wage and in some cases even sign-on bonuses who still can not find workers. With all of the jobs available around the 87th and across the state, it just does not make sense to continue to provide the enhanced federal UI benefits that encourage people to remain on the sidelines.
These federal benefits provide an additional $300 per week on top of state UI benefits and allow individuals to continue receiving UI benefits beyond the normal 26 weeks. At this time, 25 other states have moved to end these benefits, and the businesses in our state cannot wait any longer for unemployed Wisconsinites to re-enter the workforce, they need workers now.
According to a recent report from SR Poll Results, 71% of voters, including 67% of independents, and 59% of Democrats support ending the enhanced federal UI benefits. Also, over the past few weeks, one of the most frequent concerns I've heard about from constituents is the need to end these federal benefits.
With the legislature's action on Tuesday, AB 336 now heads to Governor Evers’ desk. I encourage you to contact his office to ask him to sign AB 336 into law. You can reach his office at (608) 266-1212 or by submitting a comment on his website by clicking here.
Click on the photo above to watch Rep. Edming's speech in support of AB 336
Taking a Stand for the 2nd Amendment
Another important bill that was considered and approved by the Assembly on Tuesday was Assembly Bill (AB) 293. With this bill, Wisconsin would be taking a stand for our 2nd Amendment rights by prohibiting a person from enforcing a federal act, law, statute, rule, regulation, treaty, or order that takes effect on or after January 1, 2021, if it places restrictions on our 2nd Amendment rights unless this law is identical to a state law. Also, AB 293 would require any firearm manufacturer in Wisconsin to stamp the firearm so that it reads “Made in Wisconsin” to further protect the rights of Wisconsinites by nullifying the federal government’s use of the interstate commerce clause to confiscate firearms.
The right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed by the United States’ Constitution, and is further enshrined in the Wisconsin Constitution in Article I, Section 25, which states, “The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose.” When I took the oath of office as your state representative, I swore to uphold these constitutional rights. That is why I am a proud co-author of AB 293 and was pleased to vote in support of it on Tuesday where it passed with bipartisan support. It now heads to the State Senate for further consideration.
Under the Dome
Sporting Heritage Committee Hearing
I started off my week in Madison on Tuesday with a public hearing in the Assembly Sporting Heritage Committee. We heard testimony on two proposals, Assembly Bills (AB) 165 and 265. AB 165 would combine the archer and crossbow hunting licenses. AB 265 raises the maximum weight for UTVs from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. Committee work is an important part of the legislative process and I learned a lot from those who took the time to come before the committee to share their thoughts on these bills.
Around the 87th
Upcoming Road Closure in Sawyer County
Beginning at 8:00 AM this upcoming Monday, June 14th State Highway 48 will be closed in the Town of Weirgor for a railroad crossing repair. A signed detour will be in effect and the road is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Saturday, June 19th.
Upcoming Events Around the 87th District
One of my favorite parts about serving as your state representative is getting out and interacting with constituents at many of the wonderful community events across the 87th District. Check out some of the upcoming events around the district below. Also, if you know of any other events, please contact my office and let me know, so I can include them in a future e-update and try to attend myself.
Check out some of the events coming up around the district:
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.
|
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
