Park High JROTC Leaders Honored as "Hometown Heroes"
Tate of Racine Named to State Position
Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit
Listening Session
Upcoming Events
The Wirch Report
Dear Friend,
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.
Memorial Day began as a way to honor soliders who died during the Civil War. Major General John A. Logan officially declared a day of observance on May 30, originally coining it "Decoration Day". Several places claim to be the first to have observed "Decoration Day" beginning as early as April of 1866. One hundred years later, in May of 1966, President Lyndon Johnson and Congress named Waterloo, NY, as the official "birthplace" of Memorial Day. Following World War I, Memorial Day began to honor the fallen from all American wars and became a national holiday, observed on the last Monday in May, in 1971. Wisconsin has recognized Memorial Day since 1879. For many, Memorial Day is a day of family, friends, parades and picnics, and while those are important, it's equally important to remember the reason for the Day - honoring those of us who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Park High JROTC Visit the Capitol; Two Instructors Honored as "Hometown Heroes"
Sen. Wirch and other Local Legislators with Park High School's JROTC
Wednesday, May 15 was a big day in the State Capitol. Not only were both the Senate and Assembly in session, but dozens of members of Park High School's Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) visited the Capitol for a tour and to post the colors and lead the State Assembly members in the Pledge of Allegiance before session began. In addition, two of their instructors, Maj. Jason Hauser and Sgt. 1st Class Guadalupe Berrios, Jr., were honored as "Hometown Heroes". Under the leadership of Maj. Hauser and Sgt. 1st Class Berrios, the program has a 100% graduation rate, and the number of participants has grown from 40 to 106 in just two years. I was happy to welcome these amazing future leaders to the Capitol and to see their deserving instructors honored. You can read more about the JROTC program through its official website.
Governor Evers Names Racine Alder John Tate Chair of State Parole Commission
Governor Tony Evers has appointed Racine's own John Tate II, Alder for the city's 3rd district, to serve as the Chair of the State Parole Commission. The Wisconsin Parole Commission is an independent commission under the umbrella of the state Department of Corrections, and the Governor appoints the Chair of the Parole Commission to two year terms. The Commission conducts interviews with eligible inmates in DOC custody to make independent decisions on the possibility of granting parole. John's years in social work and his leadership in the Racine community make him a great choice for the job, and I know that he will do Racine proud.
Increase in Earned Income Tax Credit Would Put More Money in Pockets of Kenosha, Racine Residents
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is provided at both the federal and state levels as a means of assisting lower-income working families. The refundable credit provides a supplement to the wages of these families and is intended to offset the impact of the Social Security tax and increase incentives to work. The EITC is widely believed to be one of our most effective anti-poverty measures. Under the Walker administration, steep cuts were made to the state EITC. In his proposed budget, Governor Evers has called for increasing the EITC. If his proposal were to become law, an estimated 190,000 Wisconsin families would benefit, and an additional $27 million per year would be pumped back into our local communities. A study by the Wisconsin Budget Project shows how the proposed EITC increase will benefit Racine and Kenosha families and communities. According to the research, approximately 10,000 Racine County and 7,800 Kenosha County families are able to claim the state EITC; the Governor's increase would direct an additional $1,155,000 into Racine County and $835,000 into Kenosha County. In May, the Republican majority on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee stripped the proposal from the state budget. It could still be included in the final state budget, however. Click here and here to contact the co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and let them know you support an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
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, May 24, from 2:30 to 4 pm and join the conversation.
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'slegislation page.
Constituent Services
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||
Upcoming Community Events
