On Monday, I was sworn-in for my second term in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

It is my honor to continue serving the citizens of the 48th Assembly District. As a Madison native, it is a thrill to represent the community that I love, and the city in which I am raising my family. As the voice of state government for all those I represent in the State Assembly, I take this responsibility extremely seriously. My constituents are my boss, and I am humbled that they have elected me for another term.

My neighbors encouraged me to run for elected office because they believed I could get things done for our local communities. This session I will focus on creating family sustaining jobs, which are the backbone of our economy. I will also stridently promote a quality public education system at all levels as every child deserves access to schools that will provide them with the tools they need to become the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we can create a better future.

As always, if you have something you would like to see in future issues of the Sargent Voice, please contact me at 608-266-0960 or Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov.

Sincerely,

It is time for progressives leaders to stand up and renew our promise to support a government that promotes equality and justice; where our politicians act as agents of the people and vow to be their voice and once again act with the mantra ‘of, by, and for the people’.

No longer should we apologize for, or shy away from, the things we feel at our core. I am committed to moving forward with an agenda that reflects our progressive values including:

• A tax system that is based on equal opportunity where everyone pays their fair share.
• Background checks on all gun sales to help curb the senseless violence we have seen across the country.
• The legalization of marijuana for those over 21 to promote individual freedom and to begin addressing the injustice of racial disparities in arrests.
• Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour to create a family supporting wage for all Wisconsinites.

These are among the things that we as progressives believe, and we should never back down or compromise our beliefs. Like it or not, Governor Walker has staked his political reputation on setting his agenda and fervently pursuing it. Progressives must have an even stronger resolve to pursue their own agenda.

I look forward to working with my neighbors and Progressives across Wisconsin. Let us be unrelenting in our efforts to bring back a responsible government that works for the people. Together, we can accomplish this and return our state to progressive prosperity.

Committee Assignments for 2015-2016

I look forward to the important work that these legislative committees will do throughout the session. During my first term, I found that committees tend to be less partisan and more pragmatic than floor sessions. Both sides listen to each others opinions and suggestions are often taken into consideration. I enjoy this style of working outside of the parameters of today's divisive political environment.

Upskirting Bill

“Upskirting”—using a camera or video recording device to take photos or videos up a person’s skirt or underneath their clothes—is a technological advancement that has taken the country by storm. Wisconsin’s current laws have no specific provision expressly prohibiting the use of a cell phone or other photographic devices to take a photo underneath a person’s clothing, and vague definitions of nudity have allowed statutory circumvention.

No one should feel unsafe doing everyday tasks. Upskirting is an egregious violation of privacy therefore, I have authored legislation to fix this loophole in Wisconsin's law in order to stop these perpetrators from continuing to invade the privacy of women all over Wisconsin.

The bill creates an offense for persons who knowingly installs or uses any device to intentionally view, broadcast, or record under another person’s garments without their consent, which is punishable with a Class I felony of a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.

I am proud to have worked in a bi-partisan manner with Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) on this important legislation. The bill will have a public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 8th; and will potentially be voted on by the full Assembly as early as next week.

VA Hospital Tour

Minimum Wage Increases Across the US

Providing a living wage is essential to promote freedom and private prosperity for our citizens. Across the nation we are seeing states push to increase the minimum wage. Wisconsin must make a commitment to raising our minimum wage above the federal level. I am supportive of the fast food movement to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Knowing what it costs to rent an apartment and raise a family, this seems to be the least we can do as a society for someone working full time.

Some minimum wage stats from around the country.

• As of Jan. 1, 2015, 29 states and D.C. will have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage.
• Four states - Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota - approved minimum wage increases through ballot measures in the 2014 general election; Illinois voters approved an advisory measure.
• The legislatures in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and D.C. enacted increases during the 2014 session.
• Minimum wages will go up in nine states on Jan. 1, 2015 because of indexed increases in their state law: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington.

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January 7, 2015
Issue 44

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

Office: (608) 266-0960

Email:
Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov

On the Web: sargent.assembly.wi.gov