As you have likely heard, Right to Work legislation was introduced this week in the Legislature. The bill is simple: it states that workers cannot be forced to join a union and pay dues if they choose not to.

I support the legislation and plan to support the bill when it comes to a vote in the State Assembly. My reasoning is two-fold: I believe it is both a worker freedom issue as well as a policy that will help Wisconsin remain competitive with neighboring Midwestern states. I have heard from many folks on both sides of the issue, and had the opportunity to meet personally with several constituents who traveled to the State Capitol this week. While I understand this topic inspires strong feelings on all sides, I ultimately believe in the right of the worker to make a choice and I will always stand up for personal freedoms.

The bill passed the State Senate earlier this week. The Assembly Committee on Labor will hold a Public Hearing on the bill this Monday, March 2^nd beginning at 10:00am. You can watch this hearing live on Wisconsin Eye.

Photo credit Wisconsin Radio Network

This week I testified in support of Assembly Bill 49, which would eliminate the current 48 hour waiting period for handgun purchases. I am a coauthor of this legislation, which will bring Wisconsin into line with the 42 other states that do not have a 48-hour waiting period requirement. This bill strikes the balance of continuing needed safeguards for society while also recognizing technological advancements that have been made in the background check system.

Under AB 49, a dealer will be allowed to deliver a handgun to the purchaser as soon as they have received confirmation from the Department of Justice, which operates the Handgun Hotline. When the 48 hour rule was enacted in 1976, Wisconsin did not have an instant background check system – in contrast, today the vast majority of approvals are done within an hour. In rare instances where there is a question about the purchase or individual, a “delay” may be issued and AB 49 allows for up to three additional days to complete the background check in those cases.

Today, women are the single fastest growing demographic group of new shooters and are enrolling in conceal carry training at record numbers. AB 49 recognizes this trend by allowing women another avenue towards self-protection and ability to possess their legal firearm without the unnecessary time-tax and window of vulnerability.

AB 49 is currently in the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

Throughout the coming months, I will do my best as a member of the Joint Finance Committee to provide you with weekly updates on the activity surrounding the state budget. If you ever have a specific question about how the process works, please let me know.

Legislative Fiscal Bureau Issue Papers Released

This week, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) delivered their compilation of state budget issue papers to offices in the legislature. This compilation is a summary of the governor's budget recommendations and includes fiscal papers on every individual item in the proposal. You can read the online version of the LFB's compilation here. If you haven't done so already, you can also familiarize yourself with budget issues by reading information papers, the Budget in Brief, and the 2015-17 State Executive Budget.

Agency Briefings Next Week

Next week the Joint Committee on Finance will begin briefings will be held in the JFC room (412 East) next week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th). No public testimony will be taken at these briefings.

You will be able to watch each of the scheduled agency briefings next week live on Wisconsin Eye. Each live feed will be listed under "Joint Committee on Finance Budget Briefing."

Briefings Schedule:
Monday, March 2 (1:00 p.m.)
• Department of Administration
• Department of Corrections
• Supreme Court
• Department of Justice

Tuesday, March 3 (9:00 a.m.)
• Department of Natural Resources
• Department of Workforce Development
• University of Wisconsin System
• Department of Public Instruction
• Department of Health Services

Wednesday, March 4 (9:00 a.m.)
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Children and Families
• Department of Financial Institutions
• Department of Safety and Professional Services
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

Next Up in the Budget Process: Public Hearings

Once JFC has completed the agency briefings, it will then begin the process of public hearings. During the last two weeks of March the committee will visit four communities outside of Madison, in the proverbial "four corners of the state," to gather information and input from Wisconsinites. Final arrangements are being made and we are anticipating those dates and locations later next week.

Have a good weekend,

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