Checking in for the Chippewa Valley
Transcript:
Hi folks, this is your State Senator, Jeff Smith.
On Monday this week we started a new session. New senators were sworn in. Lawmakers are filtering back to the capitol after a long campaign season. There are a lot of new faces here in Madison. There’s a lot of hope for what can be accomplished. And there’s just as much excitement about getting going on new opportunities to help Wisconsin.
This is my fifth legislative session representing the Chippewa Valley. This week was important for a lot of reasons, but for me, this is day one of putting our thoughts into action. We’ve seen a lot of politicians just spending time and money convincing you to send them to Madison. Now it’s time to deliver real results for the people of Wisconsin.
With a new session, comes a new biennial state budget. I was encouraged to see Governor Evers take a shine to legislation I offered last session. It will allow citizens to introduce new laws or to reject acts of the legislature by referendum. The Governor promised to include it as a provision in his 2025-2027 Biennial State Budget. This is exciting news for our state and for the sake of democracy.
It shouldn’t have to come to this, a legislature should be responsive to the people. But there are so many popular policies that Republicans have ignored for years.
- Over 60 percent of Wisconsinites think abortion should be legal in all or most cases;
- More than 70 percent of Wisconsinites think the state should accept federal funds to expand Medicaid;
- 86 percent of Wisconsinites—and nearly 80 percent of Republicans—believe medical marijuana should be made legal;
- Over 60 percent of Wisconsinites agree that the use of marijuana should be legal;
- Over 60 percent of Wisconsinites believe a nonpartisan commission should be responsible for drawing legislative districts, rather than the Legislature;
- 73 percent of Wisconsinites—including 62 percent of Republicans—support paid family leave;
- Over 80 percent of Wisconsinites support “red flag” laws that allow a judge to order an individual to refrain from possessing a firearm if they find the individual to be a threat to themselves or others; and
- Nearly 80 percent of Wisconsinites support universal mandatory background checks on people making gun purchases, including at gun shows or through private sales.
These are common-sense policies that people want and are willing to work for.
During this new legislative session, I remain hopeful and optimistic. We have much to do. But if we cannot get the job done, voters should get a chance to decide.
There are a lot of new people with new ideas starting their service as legislators. Here’s to a New Year and a renewed opportunity to make Wisconsin a thriving democracy for all.
Until next time, this is Senator Jeff Smith signing off.