Mining for Jobs Bill Passed by State Senate

The Wisconsin State Senate worked into the evening to pass Senate Bill (SB) 1, also known as the Mining for Jobs Bill, on Wednesday. The bill was passed by a vote of 17-16 after 8 plus hours of debate.

I joined with the majority of my colleagues to pass a bill that is expected to attract a $1.5 billion investment in Wisconsin. Such investment could potentially create 2,000 construction jobs, 700 full-time mining jobs, and more than 2,100 additional jobs to support the mine. It is also expected to create manufacturing jobs in southeastern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin needs jobs and this bill provides the opportunity to create generational jobs for thousands in Wisconsin’s workforce. Providing a balance between environmental priorities and economic prosperity is what we should always strive for, and it is what we achieved with the mining bill. Opportunities like this don’t come along all that often, but when they do, our leaders need the foresight to put Wisconsin in a position for long-term growth.

The Mining for Jobs Bill now heads to the Wisconsin State Assembly for final consideration, where it is expected to pass with overwhelming support.
 

Pewaukee Poms Wins State Championship

Earlier last month, Pewaukee High School’s varsity dance squad took first place in its division for hip-hop dance at the State Pom and Dance Championship which took place in La Crosse.

I want to extend my congratulations to Coach Lisa Gerdman and the entire dance team for bringing the title home and wish them luck in future competitions.

If you would like watch their State Championship performance visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Nha4fN6Y0

GO PIRATES!!!

Pewaukee Pirates Pom Squad After Winning State Championship

The Budget Process Explained

As you may know, Governor Walker recently presented his 2013-2015 State Biennial Budget proposal to a Joint Session of the Legislature. The Governor’s budget address thus begins the state budget process, which takes up a majority of the legislative session and contains many different steps until the Governor signs the budget into law. I want to take this opportunity to explain the process and outline the different activities that will occur over the next few months.

Assembly Bill 40, also known as the Executive Budget was introduced by Governor Walker on February 20th. It was immediately referred to three joint legislative committees: the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions, and the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems. Each of these committees is tasked with reviewing specific provisions within the budget, making changes, and presenting their recommendations to the legislature.

Arguably the most important review will be done by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. The committee will hear public testimony, receive information from state agency officials, and welcome input from individual members of the legislature on issues relating to the financial aspects of the budget. The committee will then take their recommendations to both the State Senate and State Assembly.

Behind the scenes, legislative services agencies; including the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Legislative Council, and Legislative Reference Bureau work to inform the public and elected officials of the direct impact the budget has on specific state expenditures and bureaucracies. Two years ago, the Fiscal Bureau released 30 different budget memos to provide specific information about certain provisions and line items in the budget. This cycle will be no different.

After the Senate and Assembly receive JFC recommendations, each body has a decision to make. Do they act upon the JFC version or do they provide amendments and change the document once again? Their decision impacts further budget action. If the legislature passes two different documents, the budget then has to go before a Legislative Conference Committee. A Conference Committee is where the leaders of the Assembly and Senate reconcile the differences between their two opposing documents. Once they have an identical budget, they can then pass the legislation and message it to the Governor.

Once in the Governor’s office the Budget is near complete. The Governor can choose to sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or do a combination of both. Our Governor has the ability to use a “line item veto” which gives him the option to eliminate certain provisions while also signing the bill into law.

Over the next four months, the legislature will be busy moving through the aforementioned process. In my next E-Update, I will outline this current proposal and explain which part of the process the legislature is in.
 

District Listening Sessions Scheduled

In order to make myself available to you, I will be holding Listening Sessions throughout the 33rd Senate District. I have invited Representatives Kapenga & Kramer, as well as Representative-elect Neylon to attend the Listening Sessions in their respective Assembly Districts.

Please see the below dates, times, and locations for Listening Sessions in your community:
 

Additional sessions will be added.  I look forward to seeing you and your neighbors at our Listening Sessions.
 

ABATE Visits Capitol

ABATE Visits State Capitol to Meet with Area Representatives

Please feel free to contact my office with any thoughts or questions you may have. It is a pleasure serving you in the State Senate.