With limited session days remaining, I am disappointed by the lackluster calendar that was before us today. We’ve recently seen our neighboring states enact meaningful legislation that prioritizes the real needs of their residents.

Today Senator Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee), Senator Chris Larson (Milwaukee), Senator Mark Spreitzer (Beloit), Senator Dianne Hesselbein (Middleton), and Senator Jeff Smith (Brunswick)—the five Senate Democrats named in the lawsuit— filed their proposed remedial map (linked below) and released the following statement

As parents, we both recognize the financial challenges that families and individuals face when pursuing their career paths after high school. We are proud to put forward legislation that eases that cost burden and encourages our young people to chase their dreams.

There is absolutely no room for any politician to insert themselves in the private medical discussions between a patient and their trusted physician, and they certainly should not pretend to know more about providing medical care than the doctors who underwent years of schooling and professional training.

With a thoughtful, fact-based and straightforward ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court confirmed what most of us have known for more than a decade - the state's current legislative maps are unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Republicans’ hateful and unpopular agenda does not move Wisconsin forward, and in fact causes great
harm to our state’s premiere economic engine. The vote taken today should have been done months ago
and should never have been used as a bargaining chip in Republicans’ deeply misguided political
games.

I applaud the comprehensive plan put forth by Governor Evers and the DNR to address PFAS contamination in Wisconsin. Not only does the plan provide affected communities with grants to assist in their remediation and prevention efforts, but also funds for PFAS disposal and destruction efforts, in addition to public health intervention and research resources.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an essential part of our state’s strength. It is shameful that Republicans in the legislature continue to sow division and stoke culture wars. Negotiating behind closed doors to undermine initiatives that support underrepresented communities is unacceptable and hurts our state. 

I am grateful to Governor Evers for his steadfast promise to veto any legislation that harmfully targets the ability of LGBTQ+ people and youth to live their lives authentically. This veto sends a message to the transgender and nonbinary people of Wisconsin that they are loved, they are seen, and they are respected.

This is an important victory for reproductive freedom in Wisconsin. Abortion is healthcare. Every single Wisconsinite deserves the right to consult their family, their faith, and their doctor to make a reproductive health decision that is right for them, free from partisan politicians and centuries-old bans.