Welcome to my e-newsletter. I will use this to update you on issues in the Capitol and around the state, as well as events taking place in our community. I hope you find it interesting and informative. As always, don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance or just to share your thoughts.
Governor Evers Delivers First 'State of the State' Address
On Tuesday, January 22, new Governor Tony Evers delivered his first State of the State address before a joint session of the Legislature. While Governor Evers speech touched on a number of different policy areas, a theme that ran throughout was a call for bipartisanship. The Governor expressed his hope that legislation that reaches his desk will come with support from members of both parties and that we can all work together to address the issues facing our state and its citizens. If you missed it, you can read the full text of the speech or watch it online at Wisconsin Eye.
Badgers Band Director Mike Leckrone Recognized During 'State of the State'
UW-Madison Band Director Mike Leckrone, who is retiring after 50 years at the University, was recognized during the Governor's State of the State address, drawing a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle. The Governor pointed out that Leckrone has put together halftime shows for almost half of the games in Camp Randall Stadium history and has served longer than any University coach or chancellor. Following the address, members of the marching band performed "On Wisconsin". My son, David, played the baritone horn in the UW Marching Band; upon learning that David was from Kenosha, Director Leckrone put David on the field the following Saturday due to his great respect for the long, proud reputation for excellence in band programs in Kenosha schools, including the famous Band of the Blackwatch. I was delighted to be able to speak with Director Leckrone after the address. He is a legend, and he will be greatly missed on campus and throughout the state.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, causing one in four deaths every year. Heart disease can happen at any age, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors, which are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Other contributing factors include diabetes, bad eating habits, obesity and lack of physical activity. Heart.org provides a list of tips for heart disease prevention.
Come Talk with Me at My Listening Session
I'll once again be holding a listening session for you to come and talk with me, share your thoughts on state issues and find out about the new legislative session. Come to Kenosha's Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave., on Friday, February 8, from 2:30 to 4 pm and join the conversation.
Wisconsin Voters Support Nonpartisan Redistricting Reform
A new poll from the Marquette University Law School shows once again that voters in our state overwhelmingly believe that redistricting of legislative and congressional maps should be done by a nonpartisan commission and not by politicians in the Legislature, as is current practice. Every ten years, legislative and congressional districts must be redrawn by constitutional mandate to deal with population shifts. Currently, the State Legislature redraws and votes on the new maps, which must then be signed into law by the Governor. For many decades, Wisconsin had divided government, where the Governor and the majority in at least one house of the Legislature were of different parties. As a result, an agreement on new maps wasn't possible, and the courts were forced to create the new districts. This was very costly to the taxpayers. In 2011, one party, the Republicans, controlled the Legislature and the Governor's office, and the result was one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation, followed by years of litigation. Lawsuits are ongoing, and a recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found that taxpayers could be on the hook for $3.5 million or more. For many years, I have been an advocate for nonpartisan redistricting. A good example is the state of Iowa, which in 1980 created an independent commission to perform the duty of redistricting. Since that time, they have not faced a single court challenge or spent a taxpayer cent defending their maps, and their elections are some of the most competitive in the nation. The MU Law Poll found that seventy-two percent of voters believe we should adopt a similar model.
Follow Legislative Action
Track specific legislation, see the latest bills to be introduced, or found out how your legislators voted on a bill through the Wisconsin State Legislature's legislation page.
No responsibility that I have directly affects the lives of the average person, or gives me as much satisfaction, as that of constituent services. These can come in many different forms. Some people contact me because there is a problem with their unemployment benefits; it could be a delay in receiving a tax refund; or maybe someone is having difficulty in getting a state-issued occupational license. These are sometime simple fixes. Then there are more complex problems: things like health care issues; disputes with utility or insurance companies; or problems with a mortgage lender. Whatever the issue is, big or small, I am happy to help or point you in the right direction.
State Senator Bob Wirch 127 South, State Capitol PO Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882 (608)267-8979 or (888)769-4724 sen.wirch@legis.wisconsin.gov||
Wisconsin Voters Support Nonpartisan Redistricting Reform
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