What Does AB 975 Do?
AB 975, as recently introduced, would let the people of Wisconsin be the final decision-makers on the issue of abortion by putting in place a binding statewide referendum for the April 2024 election.
After the Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade, Wisconsin reverted to its 1849 law, 940.04, which allows abortions only to preserve the life of the mother; however, that is not where our state law stands anymore.
940.04 was recently found by a judge in Dane County to not restrict abortion. Because Wisconsin has a unified court system, what one judge rules in one county is effective for the rest of the state as well. Currently, Wisconsin’s enforceable abortion restriction is what was passed under the Scott Walker administration, namely, abortion is allowed up to 20 weeks.
Let me be clear: abortion clinics are open in the state of Wisconsin for abortions up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
AB 975 would lower the threshold at which an abortion is allowed to be performed from the current 20 weeks in statute to 14 weeks (first trimester). This is the standard that is widely embraced by western countries, and polls have shown to have a 66% support among the American public.
Yet, to be clear, this bill does not establish 14 weeks as the law. Rather, it allows the people to vote on whether they agree to this standard. I personally prefer an earlier date, but I voted to allow the people themselves to make this decision.
It is important for me to reiterate that AB 975 puts a very sensitive issue into the hands of the people. I will repeat: this legislation would only go into effect if approved in a statewide referendum.
Although I did vote in favor of this legislation, it was not an easy decision. However, I truly do believe that if this legislation passes, we will be saving the babies who would have been aborted during those 6 extra weeks, and I believe the people of Wisconsin agree with this move.
An Update Regarding the Legislative Maps
As many of you may know, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently declared the current maps illegal due to municipal island contiguity. If you’re not sure what that is, be sure to visit a previous e-update of mine, where I went into an in-depth explanation on what that means.
First, let’s back it up a little. A few months ago, Assembly Republicans introduced AB 415, a piece of legislation that would establish a nonpartisan method of redistricting. It was introduced with a number of amendments that we hoped would create bipartisanship. Unfortunately, although it did pass out of the Assembly with some bipartisan support, it ultimately did not move forward.
Now let’s fast-forward to last week, when the Assembly Republicans tried again. We told the Democrats that we would pass Governor Evers maps, which he recently drew, without ANY amendments and that they could draft the legislation themselves. What did they say to that? They said no. That’s right, we offered the Democrats Governor Evers maps with NO changes, and they turned us down. After they turned us down, we decided to pass Governor Evers maps ourselves, with very minor amendments. Although it still passed on the floor, not one Democrat voted in favor of it. And once it got to the governor’s desk, he vetoed it. You heard that right; Governor Evers vetoed his own maps. It has to make you wonder why, and what do they know? As always, I’ll keep you updated as this evolves.
In-District Events
Wednesday, January 31st, is the Winter Photo Show from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at West De Pere High School (665 Grant St., De Pere).
Sunday, February 4th, is the Valentine’s Dance at St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Hall in Tisch Mills from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, February 6th, will be the 2024 Brown County Taste of Wisconsin from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stadium View Bar, Restaurant & Banquet Hall (1963 Holmgren Way, Green Bay). For more information and tickets, click here.
Saturday, February 10th, is the Chili Drive Thru at Grace Congregational UCC (2801 Garfield St., Two Rivers) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information and to pre-order, call 920-553-1222.
Saturday, February 10th, is Sweet Street Saturday in Two Rivers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street. Tickets are available at Schroeder’s and cost $10 each.
Sunday, February 11th, will be the Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Machut’s Supper Club in Two Rivers from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17th, will be a Rummage and Bake Sale at the Washington House Museum (1622 Jefferson St., Two Rivers) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, February 18th, will be a Rummage Sale at the Washington House Museum (1622 Jefferson St., Two Rivers) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
