The 2013-14 legislative session has come to an end in the State Assembly. While there may be a special session called by the Governor, the regular session was 'gaveled out' last Thursday.
In an all-night session, the Assembly Republicans suppressed voters' rights, restricted cancer patient's freedom to access the medication they need, and put more money into political campaigns which will hinder the liberty of most voters.

I am stunned that the Republicans consider their work done. What happened to our commitment to job creation? There are serious issues facing our state, and yet the majority party chose to leave in the middle of the night with a flurry of political bills. This is not the Wisconsin Way.

I believe we need to forge a new kind of politics in Wisconsin. One where bi-partisanship is celebrated not punished. One in which quality results and listening to each other are held in high regard and cheap political tactics are frowned upon. For in the end the things that unite us as citizens, far outweigh the things that divide us.

While there have been setbacks and frustrations this session, I am more steadfast than ever in my belief that Wisconsin's brightest days are ahead of us. I pledge to work tirelessly until we achieve the things I ran for office to promote: a living wage, health care for all, and high quality public education for our students.

Thank you for giving me the honor of representing you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns about things happening at the State Capitol or in the 48th Assembly District.

Paid Sick Days Bill

As a mother of four sons, I know how difficult it can be when one or more of them get sick. It can be challenging to find someone to care for them on short notice. Too many working families around our state are faced with the impossible choice of either going to work, but forcing a sick child to go to school; or taking off from work and losing a critical days’ worth of pay, or even lose their job.

The Earned Sick Days Act would allow workers to earn up to nine sick days each year. It includes a simple method for calculating accrued sick time, with workers earning a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. These hours could be used to recover or seek assistance for themselves or a family member. It also allows employers to use their existing policies if they meet the standards set forth in the bill.

More than one million private sector workers in Wisconsin face difficult choices each year due to jobs that allow no paid sick days. Our working families deserve the basic protection that will be provided with the Earned Sick Days Act (LRB 4163/1). This bill provides a reasonable sense of security for the health and financial needs of our Wisconsin workers. Many families simply can’t afford to jeopardize their families’ economic security by staying home.

This legislation is a common sense approach in which workers’ will earn paid sick leave over the course of their employment which will ensure that no Wisconsin family needs to choose between their health and their economic well-being.

Hy-Vee Store Tour

In addition to employing over 400 Wisconsin residents, they are also good stewards to our community. Their 'One-Step' project was inspiring to me. Through the purchase of four items (potatoes, paper towels, cereal, and bottled water), Hy-Vee gives back by providing community gardens, wells, trees, and food bank donations.

I was also joined by Noreen, the government affairs specialist from their corporate headquarters in Iowa. I look forward to working with both Rob and Noreen on ways that I can be helpful to them in my role as a state representative.

I sincerely enjoy the time I spend getting to know the people and businesses in my distinct, and it is such an important part of helping me do my job well.

Emerge Shadow Day

As an Emerge graduate, I had the pleasure to have two Emerge women shadow me at the Capitol this past week. Emerge is the state's premier training program for women in government. Leaders of the organization identify, train, and encourage women to run for elected office, and once elected, seek higher office.

Emerge recognizes the importance of women in elected positions and the descriptive significance of having positive, powerful, and visible women to not only serve as legislators, but also as role models for our future women in government. To this day, women continue to have multiple barriers in running a campaign that are distinct from the few barriers restricting male access. Everything from finding adequate child care to doing doors at night, women have significant struggles to overcome when pursuing the positions meant to have equal access for all. Legislative statistics tell this tale; in the Wisconsin state government only 25% of elected officials are women - and that's an all time state high.

Emerge inspires women to achieve our rightful place in society, one of respect, representation, and equality. Personally, Emerge gave me the confidence to run for my Assembly position. Without my training at Emerge, I would not be representing you today.

4-H Comes to the Capitol

Minimum Wage Comes to the Assembly Floor

Last week, I proudly voted on the Assembly to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour in Wisconsin. According to a recent study by the non-partisan group, COWS, had the 1968 minimum wage kept pace with the growth in wages of the typical worker, today’s minimum wage would be $10.65 per hour and it would be projected to be about $10.89 by 2016. Currently, the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour; where it has been since 2009. Unfortunately, every Assembly Republican voted to reject this increase.

At $7.25 an hour, an individual or couple cannot afford to support themselves, let alone a family. The Republican’s choosing to keep the minimum wage below a livable wage is simply cutting your nose off to spite your face. These hard working Wisconsin families are forced to receive government assistance despite working 40 plus hours per week. This bill would provide our working families the freedom to move off of government assistance, give them economic security, and put more money into our local economy. This is a reasonable, long-overdue step that will help Wisconsin catch up to our neighboring states and the rest of the country economically.

The proposal, Senate Bill 505/Assembly Bill 686, would raise Wisconsin’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour in three increments and index the minimum wage to inflation. According to UW-Milwaukee's latest “Wisconsin Economic Scorecard,” 57 percent of Wisconsinites support increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.

This is how we really provide folks with a path out of poverty. This is how we really show our morality and compassion for humanity. This is how we really re-invigorate our economy.

Healthy Relationships Bill

I recently introduced the Healthy Relationship Bill. This legislation focuses on the importance of providing our teens a foundation for a lifetime of healthy relationships and preventing emotional as well as physical relationship violence. Click the video to the right to watch my intern, Hayley, and I describe this important legislation.

The bill would set standards for schools to incorporate healthy relationship education into their health curriculum. This includes teaching students what dating violence looks like, so that they may identify it in their own relationships or those of their friends.

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March 25, 2014
Issue 30

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Office: (608) 266-0960

Email:
Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov

100 years ago 800 women marched down Pennsylvania Avenue demanding that President Woodrow Wilson guarantee voting rights to women. It was a hard fought eight years but in 1920 the 19th Amendment was finally ratified to our constitution prohibiting any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex. The first woman was elected to the WI State Legislature in 1925. Since then, there have only been 126 women elected to state level offices in Wisconsin. I know that I would not be where I am if it were not for the strong shoulders and hard work of the women who came before me – elected or advocate. I am a true believer in the adage that we must remember and honor those who came before us – those who have fought for us and our nation to create a more equal and just society. We must all continue to fight for equal rights and protections – I believe Wisconsin is stronger when we promote opportunity and no longer hamper our success due to gender or other discrimination.

I was an honored guest with the Africa Women's Group of Madison. As women we must unite together around our globe to assure economic, social and political security for all.