Last week was a busy one! The legislature was in session twice, and we had a lot of discussion on a wide number of bills. For starters, last Tuesday we met and voted on one bill and two constitutional amendments. I voted in favor of all three.
AB 386 combines tax-free retirement with a middle-class tax cut to provide widespread relief during these challenging financial times. To be exact, it exempts $100,000 of retirement account income for single filers ($150,000 for couples) from being taxed and reduces the tax rate for middle-income earners (the third tax bracket) from 5.3% to 4.4%.
Unfortunately, Wisconsinites are some of the highest-taxed individuals in our country. We do not believe that affording everyday life should be a financial challenge and instead want to focus on reducing the tax rate and encouraging people to stay and live in Wisconsin.
To hear my full thoughts on AB 386, click here.
AJR 66 is a constitutional amendment that would require a 2/3rds vote in each house to increase sales, income, or franchise taxes. The current statutory limitation can easily be disregarded through a simple majority vote in the legislature.
AJR 6 is a constitutional amendment that says the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how federal money should be spent and that no executive branch officer or department can make an allocation without the approval of a joint committee of the legislature designated by legislative rule.
Currently, the governor has the power to accept federal funds on behalf of Wisconsin and to allocate said funds without receiving the approval of the legislature. This bill returns the authority to the legislature, where it should’ve remained the entire time.
To hear my full thoughts on AJR 6, click here.
Last Thursday, the legislature met again to discuss and vote on seven bills. I voted in favor of all.
AB 387 creates a program for parents or guardians to establish a state pre-tax account for eligible child care expenses.
With this legislation, parents will have more flexibility in paying for child care, with the funds being taken out pre-tax, and it will allow people to keep access to these accounts regardless of employment or employer status. Our goal with this bill is to help keep more money in the taxpayer’s pocket that can be used to pay for child care.
To hear my full thoughts on AB 387, click here.
AB 388 would create a revolving loan fund to enable child care providers to expand capacity. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) would provide loans to child care providers to make needed renovations to their facility, expand capacity in their facility or help new providers open their business.
AB 389 requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish a new category of child care center (Large Family) that provides care for four to 12 children.
AB 390 modifies DCF’s rules related to child care teachers. This legislation supports child care centers, child care providers, and working parents by increasing the pool of child care workers.
AB 391 supports families and providers by adding capacity for children to be cared for at group child care centers.
AB 392 equalizes ratios for certified child care providers to practice to the full extent of their training.
AB 415 would establish a nonpartisan method of redistricting. Under this legislation, the legislature would appoint four members to an advisory commission: two Republicans and two Democrats; these members would then choose their fifth member. This legislation also requires the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to draw the legislative maps and work together with the committee to create fair maps that will later be presented to the legislature. This process would enact a new system that models itself after neighboring states such as Iowa.
After much discussion, I was pleased to see that this bill passed in the Assembly with bipartisan support. One of my Democratic colleagues voted in favor of the bill, with two other Democrats showing support for several of the amendments we offered, but unfortunately they were not present for the final vote on the bill. This is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to hopefully seeing this legislation pass in the Senate with bipartisan support as well.
To hear my full thoughts on AB 415, click here.
2023 First Responder Recognition Program
I am seeking nominations for the upcoming First Responder of the Year Award for the 2nd Assembly District.
The person nominated could be a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, a firefighter, or any level of EMS provider (paramedic, EMT, first responder), and can be either a paid or volunteer public servant.
A winner from within our assembly district will then be selected and will be invited to a special recognition ceremony in the Assembly on October 17, 2023.
You can nominate a deserving person for a variety of reasons including:
• A specific heroic action;
• A significant professional achievement;
• Something special they do for the community during the course of their work;
• His or her body of work over time; and/or
• His or her length of service.
To have your local hero be eligible, please contact my office to receive a nomination form. Forms must be turned in no later than Friday, September 29, 2023.
In-District Events
Saturday, September 30th, will be the Wrightstown Fall Fest. This event will go from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit Fall Fest – Village of Wrightstown.
Saturday, October 7th, will be an Electronics Recycling Event Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mishicot Village Park (222 South Rockway St.).
Saturday, October 7th, will be Bands for a Ballpark from 12:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the Par 5 Resort Ballroom (250 W Church St., Mishicot). For more information, visit Bands For A Ballpark Tickets, Par 5 Resort Ballroom, Mishicot | Vanco Events USA.
The Wayside Morrison Lions Club will be hosting their fall fundraiser on Saturday, October 7th, at Van Abel’s in Hollandtown. Dinner will be at 6 p.m., and raffle drawings will be at 7 p.m. To get tickets to attend the fundraiser, email waysidemorrisonlionsclub
