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This week was the last time that the Assembly will meet this year, many important pieces of legislation were passed. Among them were bills that were brought forth by Rep. Ballweg.
Unemployment Insurance
Representative Ballweg has worked diligently this session with the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (UIAC) to introduce the following agreed upon bills, Assembly Bill 310/ Senate Bill 219 and AB 504/SB417. Both pieces of legislation passed the legislature and awaits signature by the Governor.
Senate Bill 219 deals with reforms to the Unemployment Insurance program to help detect and eliminate fraud by strengthening penalties for instances of fraud. Wisconsin currently owes 1.3 billion to the Federal government to repay monies borrowed to pay basic unemployment during the economic downturn. Wisconsin businesses were assessed in September of 2011 to pay interest on this debt
It's a measure that will replace our current system, it will double the number of weeks an individual becomes ineligible for benefits and adding a penalty of 15% of fraudulently collected benefits. It will also create a fund that segregates the monies collected through our reforms to pay interest on advances to the federal government and to pay unemployment benefits to state residents.
Senate Bill 417 is the second bill from the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (UIAC). It incorporates changes required by federal law. It also incorporates a change in interest payments for delinquent payments of state unemployment changes that eases the burden on employers.
Both bills passed with bi partisan support.
Assembly Bill 144
Representative Joan Ballweg released the following statement this morning after the State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 144, which will create a temporary commission on financial aid consolidation and modernization in the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB)."After reviewing financial aid in a Joint Legislative Council Study Committee, I had many unanswered questions; financial aid should be accessible for all students. This commission will study accessibility for all students, both traditional and non-traditional," states Ballweg.
AB 144 directs the commission to study the potential for consolidating all grant
programs administered by HEAB into a single, comprehensive, need-based grant
program, as well as options for providing grant aid for students who are attending
Wisconsin institutions of higher education at less than full-time credit loads."Members of the commission will comprise of 14 members, including student representatives," states Ballweg.
This bill passed this morning with bi-partisan support and awaits the Governor’s signature.
Mining Bill
As most of you know, the mining bill failed on the floor of the Senate last week. Gogebic Taconite, the iron ore company interested in establishing a mine in Iron County, sent out a press release following the Senate floor session that they will be leaving Wisconsin and looking to mine in other states. Some are still hoping that the mining bill will find a way back to the floor. This debate was a long and contentious one, and we are very aware that many citizens of Wisconsin want to preserve our natural resources and others want jobs in Northern Wisconsin. It is my belief that these two sentiments are not mutually exclusive.
Here are the facts: the mining legislation dealt only with the permitting process of a mine. A mine would not have opened as the immediate result of this legislation. It was just to streamline the permitting process. Gogebic Taconite would still had to receive approval from the Wisconsin DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and US Fish & Wildlife Service.
We could have had a bill that puts a timeline to the permit process and still protect our environment. Residents would still have clean drinking water, trout ponds would be preserved, and citizens of Northern Wisconsin would have felt pride in providing for their families.
Wisconsin Arts & Crafts Fairs 2012 Directory
The 2012 edition of the Wisconsin Art and Craft Fairs Directory is now available in print! Call 1-800-432-TRIP for a copy. The Directory also may be found on the Wisconsin Arts Board's website
http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov
Listening Sessions
State Representative Joan Ballweg announced that she will be holding spring listening sessions throughout the 41st Assembly District at the time and locations listed below. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the sessions and share their thoughts on the biennial budget and other state issues.
Monday, March 19, 2012
8:30 am – 9:30 am Anna Follette Community Center,155 Front St, Coloma
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm City Hall (Council Chambers), 100 Jackson St, Ripon
Thursday, March 22, 2012
11:15 a.m.- 12:15 a.m. Community Center, 500 Wisconsin, Wild Rose
Friday, March 23rd
9:00 am – 10:00 am Caestecker Library, 518 Hill St, Green Lake
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm World War II Memorial building, 440 W Main St, Wautoma
Monday, March 26th
8:30 am – 9:30 am Wayside Restaurant, N1894 State Rd 44 73, Markesan
11:30 am – 12:30pm Senior Center, 132 S Main St, Neshkoro
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Berlin Public Library, 121 West Park Ave, Berlin
Representative Ballweg encourages all residents of the 41st Assembly District to attend a listening sessions. If you are unable to attend, your thoughts and opinions can be shared by contacting Rep. Ballweg's Capitol office. Please call toll-free (888) 534-0041, e-mail Jaon at Rep.Ballweg@legis.wi.gov, or write to her at 210 North, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8952, Madison WI 53708.