Our hard-working friends and neighbors all across Wisconsin show up every day and work hard to create profits. They deserve a wage that pays the rent and puts food on the table. Raising the minimum wage will help build a fair economy that works for everyone. That is why I am introducing bill that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the course of five years.

(photo credit: Wendi Kent)

While corporate executives are receiving record-breaking bonuses due to the work being done on the front lines, the workers struggle to get by day-to-day. These workers deserve the economic freedom and prosperity that an increased wage would provide them. The middle class would grow, the economy would be bolstered, and the people from top to bottom would benefit.

Every working American deserves the chance to achieve prosperity. Inadequate incomes result in struggling families having to go without basic necessities such as food, a warm and dry home, and adequate health care. These stresses domino throughout all of our society. In our nation’s history, the moments in which we embraced generosity have created positive results. And when austerity measures have been used, we failed together. Whether we admit it or not, we are a collective. Raising the minimum wage will put extra money in the pockets of these workers, and the positive impacts will be felt society-wide.

I am proud to stand with those who continue to 'Fight for Fifteen' today and into the future.

Universal Background Checks

(click to see national Quinnipiac Poll)

Each and every Wisconsinite has the right to feel safe in their community. I was proud to, once again, stand with my colleagues in support of universal background checks on all gun sales in Wisconsin. Representative Terese Berceau and Senator Nikiya Harris-Dodd have been champions of this common-sense legislation.

Since 2013, 226 people in Wisconsin died due to homicide by firearms. When do we say 'enough is enough'? Every week we lose more men and women to gun violence all across Wisconsin. Background checks are easy, quick, and commonsense. Simply put, background checks save lives.

I shouldn’t have to choose between being the proud mother & wife of gun owning hunters & protecting my family & my community.

Hunting is part of our heritage - it is one of our state's greatest traditions - and lawful gun owners support sensible policies like universal background checks.

LRB-1710 requires background checks on the sale of all firearms, with certain exceptions, including gifts, bequests, or inheritances among family members.

Celebrating Earth Day

Clean air, water and land are essential for Wisconsinites to enjoy the freedom and opportunity that our beautiful outdoor spaces provide. It is essential to our way of life and our economic growth. On Earth Day 2015, I took time to reflect on the tremendous resources that have made Wisconsin prosperous for generations. Each year on this day, I spend time with our future leaders to teach them about preserving what makes Wisconsin such a special place, and how to keep our Earth clean and green for years to come.

Republicans continue pushing a budget that would do serious harm to Wisconsin’s proud outdoor heritage, including essentially eliminating the Stewardship program and eliminating important science and education positions at the DNR. I will continue to vigorously oppose these measures and do everything in my power to stop them from moving forward with these damaging plans.

Sen. Fitzgerald says UW Cuts unlikely to be restored
 

This is, in large part, due to revenue estimates that are expected to be lower than previously projected. While I am grateful that Sen. Fitzgerald indicated he would put the money towards K-12 education, this discussion is indicative of the disastrous budget we are debating. Devastating cuts are due to the fact that Scott Walker and the Republicans have favored tax breaks for the richest among us over the long-term fiscal health of our state.
 

Democrats move to preserve environment, increase transparency

Preserving our land and water should be a central tenant of our state government. I am appalled at the cuts and changes that the Governor's budget would make to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). I am proud of my Democratic colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee who stood up for preserving funding for wildlife and fish management at the DNR and spoke out against the Republican budget proposal that guts the state conservation program.

Democrats also put forward a motion requiring that the Governor’s Dignitary Protection Unit report the amount of out of state travel costs quarterly to the Joint Finance Committee.