The Goyke Report


April 10, 2014
 
 Contact Me  

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

PH: (608) 266-0645
TF: (888) 534-0018
FAX: (608) 282-3618

E-Mail: Rep.Goyke@legis.wi.gov
On the Web: goyke.assembly.wi.gov
 

   In The District  

On Thursday, March 27th, I spoke with my colleagues at Hunger Task Force in support of legislation that I co-authored, which would protect low-income Wisconsinites from the 2014 Farm Bill’s impending cuts to food stamps.

Rep. Goyke is joined by colleagues at Hunger Task Force to announce legislation he co-authored to preserve FoodShare benefits for 255,000 Households

On Tuesday, April 8th I joined with with my colleagues and Wisconsin 9 to 5 in Milwaukee to continue the fight for equal pay for equal work for women in the workplace.

Rep. Goyke attending a rally in Milwaukee on Equal Pay Day

 New Employment Resource

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has launched a new Skill Explorer website that provides a free job search tool allowing Wisconsin workers to search for employment opportunities that match their existing skills and training. Skill Explorer can be found by clicking here.

Workers can search for new career opportunities on the Skill Explorer website by typing in their former or current job title. Skill Explorer provides a list of current openings relating to the work experience of that job through openings on Job Center of Wisconsin and three other online employment websites. Skill Explorer will also provide overviews explaining what each specific job entails, how much workers typically make in that position, and any special training or background needed for the occupation. Skill Explorer’s mapping function will show hot spots in the state for particular occupations, as well as allow individuals to search for current openings by county.

 At the Capitol

Rep. Goyke speaking on behalf of the 18th Assembly District

The 18th Assembly District throughout this legislative session has been fortunate to have a wonderful corps of student interns in the office who have helped me represent you here in the legislature. I only wish you can see in person the commitment and hard work that they bring to the office each and every day. We are very lucky to have such bright and intelligent people who dedicate themselves to public service.

On behalf of the 18th Assembly District I would like to thank Mr. Jared Mehre, Ms. Lacee Koplin, Mr. Bo Blazavier, Ms. Lindsey Anderson, Ms. Ami Regele, Ms. Molly Moon, Mr. Andrew Logman, Mr. Andrew Peterman, and Ms. Shauntay Nelson.

Rep. Goyke meeting with students from "Youth Empowered in the Struggle"

 Other Recent News

Rep. Goyke discussing legislation in the State Assembly chamber with Rep. Kolste and Rep. Barnes

 

I joined my colleagues Representative Rob Hutton and Senator Lena Taylor last month to tour a Wisconsin correctional facility and participated in a roundtable discussion. The discussion was about our corrections system and possible reforms that we can work together on during the next legislative session.

 

This summer I will be Vice Chair to a Legislative Council Study Committee that will look in depth at problem-solving courts, alternatives, and diversions. The committee will examine veterans courts, drug and alcohol courts, and drunk driving courts in Wisconsin. As a supporter of TAD and alternatives to incarceration where appropriate I am excited for this opportunity.

 

 
 


Friends and Neighbors,

 

I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve the 18th Assembly District during the 2013-2014 legislative session. I have heard from many of you at my Capitol office and spoken with many more of you at home in Milwaukee.

Like you, I am very excited for spring to get in full swing and the warmth summer to take hold. This is when our neighborhoods come alive with many outdoor activities and family fun. I enjoy working with my neighbors to complete neighborhood projects, yard clean-up, and long walks with the family dog.

Even though the Assembly will not be in session, it is my goal to be as accessible as possible. Our work together continues! If your neighborhood association, club, or community group is having a meeting please consider inviting me to attend. We can discuss how your voices, values, and concerns influence my work in the Capitol. Please call my office at (608) 266-0645 and let me know about your local event. I’d love to see you around the 18th District.

Below you will find a final update on the legislative proposals I introduced and those I fought against on behalf of the 18th District during the final weeks of this legislative session. Due to rules regulating legislative offices during a campaign year, this will be my last electronic communication to you prior to November.

Throughout the summer I will continue to advocate for my previously introduced proposals and begin work on long-term initiatives, which are outlined below. Together we will continue to build a brighter future. As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.


 
Evan Goyke
State Representative
18th Assembly District
 

 

 

Rep. Goyke speaking to Boy Scouts in the Governor's Conference Room at the State Capitol

 

Legislation I Have Introduced:

 

Legal Representation for Veterans

As I communicated to you in my last e-update,  I have spoken with many veterans and advocates about the growing need to help veterans who are trying to navigate the legal system. Veterans Courts throughout the State and pro-bono services have been an excellent step in the right direction and I feel we can expand upon those efforts.

• Right to Counsel for Indigent Veterans - This legislation calls for a pilot program to provide a right to counsel to qualifying indigent veterans. The bill would create a position within the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to help guide veterans through various civil legal processes.

 

• Veterans Court Grant - This important bill provides an appropriation to create a start-up funding source for counties throughout Wisconsin interested in starting a veterans court program. This legislation is supported by the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, State Commander of the American Legion, and the Wisconsin County Veterans Service Officers Association.

 

• Preserving SNAP Benefits - The recent federal Farm Bill raised the Heat and Eat energy assistance minimum from $1 to $20 per household, effectively cutting food stamps for 850,000 households across the country. I co-authored a bill with Representative Shankland to raise the annual amount of federal dollars Wisconsin spends on low-income energy assistance from $1 to $21 per household in Wisconsin, allowing 255,000 low-income households in Wisconsin to avoid the impending cuts to food stamps. That's money that will be immediately reinvested in the community to put food on the table, prevent hunger, and support local jobs.

 

 

Representative Goyke speaking on behalf of the 18th Assembly District on the Assembly floor during the final day of debate

 

Legislation I Fought Against:

 

I recently joined my colleagues in sending a letter to Governor Walker requesting he veto harmful legislation recently passed by Assembly and Senate Republicans that would negatively effect an individual's right to vote. Please click here to view a copy of the letter.

 

• Senate Bill 324 - This bill would restrict absentee voting hours and prohibit citizens from voting on weekends. This will prevent many seniors, working families and students from exercising their constitutional right to vote and will create longer lines on Election Day for both rural and urban voters.


• Senate Bill 20 - This legislation would take away local control and prevent municipal clerks from selecting the most qualified poll workers to oversee local elections.


• Senate Bill 655 - This bill is a “pay-to-play” proposal that will open the door for increased lobbyist contributions to
elected officials. Special interest groups already have too much influence in our elections and this bill will tarnish our reputation for clean and transparent government.

 

Long-Term Proposals/Summer Work:

 

• Extension of Hank Aaron State Trail - I feel that an extension of the Hank Aaron State Trail would be very valuable to the district and the City of Milwaukee. The extension of the trail would allow for an increase in trail use, local tourism, and opportunities for family activities. I recently met with the Department of Natural Resources to pursue this idea further and will continue to work with them and my colleagues on this idea.

 

• Redesign of Highway 41 - I am seeking input on the possible redesign of Highway 41, particularly as it intersects Lisbon and North Avenues. I believe there is a better design to connect neighbors and businesses that surround Highway 41. Though this type of project would be several years in the making, please watch out for future opportunities to comment on Highway 41 and don't hesitate to contact me with your thoughts.

 

• Continued Legislative Work - Even though the legislature will not meet again until January of 2015, I will continue to work on legislative initiatives important to you and the district. Please contact me with your ideas!

 

 

 

 

       

GO BREWERS!!

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