Thank you for being an informed constituent of Wisconsin’s 4th State Assembly District. In my newsletter you will find updates about your community, the state legislature, and everything in between.
What Happens at the State Crime Lab?
I had the opportunity to tour the State Crime Lab in Madison last week, along with my friend and colleague State Senator Jesse James. The tour was very insightful and it was fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes in the facility. It was also very helpful for myself and Senator James as we continue to work on a bill this session that would create a stricter timeline for the processing of a sexual assault kit.
Sexual assault kits (SAKs) are processed and tested by the State Crime Lab. Last session, I worked on a similar timeline bill that was signed into law. The bill I’m working on this session will fill in the final gap in the processing timeline and clarify the conditions and time limits for the processing of these kits. To read more about the bill that became law last session, here is a statement from DOJ:
https://www.doj.state.wi.us/
Budget season is ramping up in the Capitol, and I want to make sure you can stay informed of everything being discussed. Wisconsin is in good economic condition heading into the next biennial budget, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do all we can to craft a responsible, sustainable budget that will carry Wisconsin forward for the next two years and beyond. The budget that Governor Evers has proposed would take us from a $7 billion surplus to a $1.5 billion structural deficit if adopted as is. This is not sustainable, and Wisconsinites deserve a budget that does not undo years of responsible planning.
I look forward to getting to work with my colleagues to craft a budget that Wisconsin will benefit from. If you have thoughts on the budget or concerns to share, fill out this public feedback form directly to the budget-writing committee, the Joint Committee on Finance:Â https://legis.
Wisconsin’s Energy and Utilities
I recently joined the board of the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute to serve as a representative for the State Legislature. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend my first meeting as a board member and learn about this organization’s incredible utility-related educational opportunities. As Chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee, I look forward to taking part in many of WPUI’s upcoming programs to expand my own knowledge of this critical issue area!
