On February 28th Governor Evers delivered his first biennial budget address. In his address, the governor alluded to numerous funding proposals and fiscal initiatives embedded in the document, from investing in healthy women and healthy babies, to transportation, education, and more. I am particularly excited about the governor’s plan to increase transportation and education funding, as well as his proposed investments in clean water initiatives. Residents of La Crosse and Wisconsinites around the state have endured disintegrating roads, under-equipped schools, and water contamination for far too long.
After Governor Evers outlined his biennial budget in last Thursday’s budget address, it was sent to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) – a reviewing body made up of senators and representatives – which will host public hearings on the budget throughout the state in the coming weeks. After hosting the hearings, the Joint Finance Council will deliberate in the Capitol over the course of the following weeks, at which point the JFC will vote on the budget. Once the budget receives a vote in the Joint Finance Committee, it will travel to the floor of the Assembly and the Senate for debate, amendment proposals, and a floor vote. Finally, the budget will move back to the governor pending his approval or veto.
The graphic below outlines the biennial budget process, and I'll be highlighting different sections of the Governor's budget in upcoming newsletters, so be sure to follow along. Senator Shilling and I also intend to jointly host a local budget listening session in La Crosse, so keep an eye on Facebook and future newsletters for more information in the coming weeks!
Best Wishes,
Jill Billings State Representative 95th Assembly District
March is Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month and today is International Women’s Day! This month, I encourage you to celebrate the role of women throughout history, to encourage women of all backgrounds to tell their stories, and to appreciate how far we’ve come – as well as the work still to be done – in pursuit of gender equality.
The Wisconsin Historical Society has a collection of articles about women’s history in Wisconsin, and specifically highlights women’s struggles against discrimination in the workforce in the early 20th Featured in this section is Anna Sauer, a La Crosse woman who testified about the working conditions at Doerflinger’s (now Duluth Trading Company) in 1914.
In addition to recognizing the important contributions of Wisconsin women throughout history, I also honor the work and encourage the success of young women in today’s Wisconsin. Last week I was proud to speak on a panel for an ElectHer event at UW-La Crosse, alongside other local women elected officials from various levels of government. I am excited to celebrate women’s achievements throughout the course of this month, and was especially excited to encourage the involvement of Wisconsin women in politics.
Safe Harbor Legislation Formally Introduced
Last week, I formally introduced my Safe Harbor for Trafficked Youth legislation, Assembly Bill 41 (AB 41). The legislation – if passed – would prevent minors from being prosecuted for prostitution, and would recognize children who are groomed into providing sexual services as victims of human trafficking, not criminals.
I’ve introduced this legislation under different bill numbers during the previous three sessions, and this session, the bill has over half of the members of the State Assembly (53) and State Senate (20) signed on as co-sponsors. Lead sponsors of the legislation include myself, Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna). I am optimistic for the bill’s success due to its common sense provisions and its broad bi-partisan support – it is time for Wisconsin to update our approach to combating human trafficking, and to change this outdated law.
Since its formal introduction, AB 41 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, where it awaits a public hearing. I hope for the hearing to take place in the spring, but I encourage those interested to watch Facebook and future newsletters for updates.
Rep. Billings with Human Trafficking Task Force of Milwaukee panel on Tuesday, February 26th.
Rep. Billings Named 2019 Scenic Wisconsin Champion
Last week I was honored to receive the 2019 Scenic Wisconsin Champion Award for my efforts to expand the Scenic Byway Program in our great state. In addition to highlighting the natural beauty of a region, scenic byways spur both tourism and economic development for the communities they connect, and I was proud to champion their expansion. The Wisconsin Great River Road runs through La Crosse County, and four other scenic byways exist throughout the state, namely the Lower Wisconsin River Road, the Door County Coastal Byway, the Nicolet Wolf River Scenic Byway, and the Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway. My expansion efforts will enable more state roads and streets to qualify for the program, and will highlight more of our great state’s natural beauty.
Visitors in the Capitol & Around the District
Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes in La Crosse for Reflections of Ebony.
Girl Scouts Advocacy Day in the Capitol.
UW-L Student Representatives in the Capitol.
Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Kwik Trip representatives in the Capitol.
National Speech and Debate Day Resolution Presentation with Wisconsin High School Forensic Association.
Rep. Billings and Sen. Shilling with La Crosse County Sheriff, Sheriff Wolf.
