Senator Scott Fitzgerald's E-Newsletter

May 24, 2011

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Job Numbers Improved in April

More people are finding jobs in Wisconsin.  April job numbers were announced last week showing that Wisconsin gained a total of 9,700 jobs according to the Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD).  Wisconsin has now gained 25,900 jobs since last April.

The unemployment rate fell from 7.4 percent to 7.3 percent.  This is a key sign that Wisconsin is moving in the right direction.  The steps we have taken in the Legislature to get the economy back on track are working and people are benefiting because of it.

Senate Approves Photo ID Reform Bill

The Senate passed a long-overdue elections reform bill last week, requiring voters to prove their identity with a photo ID.  The measure is an important assurance that voters in one part of the state won’t get their vote cancelled out by someone voting illegally somewhere else.  Clean, fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and anyone who votes legally deserves to know that their vote matters.

Governor Walker is expected to sign the bill into law on Wednesday, May 25. 

Eligible voters will be allowed to use any of the following valid photo IDs:

  • a valid Wisconsin Driver's License

  • a valid Wisconsin Identification Card

  • an identification card issued by the U.S. uniformed service

  • a U.S. Passport

  • a certificate of U.S. Naturalization

  • an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state

  • a valid identification card issued by an accredited university or college in our state.

Please contact my office at 608-266-5660 if you have any questions regarding the new law. 

Capitol Protests

Many of you have probably heard about the protests and disruptions we have had at the Capitol in recent months. In the past few weeks, the disruptions have gotten much more specific and personal, routinely disrupting legislative proceedings.

Public hearings have been interrupted. Debate on the Senate floor has been disrupted by chanting protestors. A Senate press conference was overtaken by protestors yelling profanities. An individual even rushed onto the Senate floor late at night, and had to be escorted off by senators and police.

I believe that there are better ways for people to voice their concerns than a temper tantrum. The people of Wisconsin deserve reasonable debate and conversations. Nothing gets accomplished when the Legislature is unable to continue its normal functions. We have a lot to accomplish in this legislative session, and our time at the Capitol should be used to work towards fulfilling our promises made to our constituents.

Budget Update

The Legislature's budget committee is continuing to vote on provisions of the Governor's budget bill.  Last week, members voted to maintain funding for women’s health Services, while protecting life. partially restore state funding to family planning clinics for pregnancy testing, prenatal care, cervical cancer screening, STD prevention, testing and treatment, and general health screenings that were eliminated in the Governor’s budget.  The committee further specified that tax dollars cannot be appropriated to organizations that perform abortions or provide referrals for abortion services.

The committee also approved the continuation of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Program which helps Wisconsin farmers sell their products to local consumers.

 Columbus Nursing Home Receives Governor's Proclamation 

 

Last week was National Nursing Home Week.  On Monday, I had the honor of presenting the Governor's Proclamation to the Columbus Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Joining me for the ceremony were staff members (left to right) Amy Ewerdt, Jessie Behlke, Stewart Peterson, Keli Haffele, Nursing Home Administrator Rick Rexrode, Sue LeGrange, and Angela Dylak.

Nursing Home Week is an opportunity to honor the elderly and disabled residents of nursing homes and extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff who care for our community's most vulnerable citizens. 

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Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882  p;  Phone: (608)266-5660     (608) 267-6795    E-mail: Sen.Fitzgerald@legis.wi.gov

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