What passed the Assembly this week?
The Assembly this week passed a package of bills aimed at career training and creating pathways to employment, targeting the workforce crisis in our state. Earlier this month, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of requiring individuals who receive taxpayer-funded welfare to look for work while receiving benefits. Wisconsinites made it clear that they care about getting people back to work and decreasing government dependency.
The Job Center of Wisconsin lists nearly 100,000 jobs that are currently available. The package of bills passed by the Assembly this week is designed to ensure that our state programs are focused on helping people reenter the workforce.
One of the bills that passed out of the Assembly this week would rebrand Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance program as the Reemployment Assistance Program. Assembly Bill 150 would shift the focus of our state’s unemployment program to getting people off the sidelines and back to work.
Other bills passed this week would do the following:
- Prohibit “ghosting” which occurs when someone seeking a job does not show up for an interview without notice or fails to respond to an offer of possible employment. (AB 149)
- Create a standard for Wisconsin’s 50+ workforce development agencies and programs to collect and report performance data, allowing the legislature to see the effectiveness of each and ways to improve. (AB 151)
- Update Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance laws to ensure that individuals receiving benefits are only those who deserve it after being let go through no fault of their own. (AB 147)
Budget Update
The legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance wrapped up their series of budget listening sessions this week after their final stop in Minocqua. To see coverage from the tour, visit: wiseye.org/budget-2023/
Also this week, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimated that Wisconsin would have to experience a $4.1 billion growth in revenue in 2025-27 in order to cover the Governor’s proposed spending commitments. Wisconsinites need a budget that works for them – not against them. I look forward to voting on a thoughtful, responsible budget crafted with Wisconsin families and workers in mind.
Meeting with Hydropower
This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with folks from Wisconsin’s hydropower industry. Wisconsin currently has 105 hydropower facilities that generate 40% of the state’s total renewable energy. This critical industry has grown considerably since the first hydroelectric power plant began operations in Northeast Wisconsin in 1882. Groups like these are helpful for me to meet with as Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Energy & Utilities!
Funding Local Government
Wisconsin’s local governments face many economic challenges that make it difficult to best serve their communities. To assist with this growing problem, my colleagues and I are working on a proposal to provide state aid to local governments, focused heavily on public safety and innovation. Under the proposal, 20% of state sales tax revenue would be dedicated to local governments – a total of $1.5 billion. To ensure that this money is impactful for communities, significant investments will be made to assist with upgrading 911 systems and EMS equipment and supplies. In addition, the proposal would make investments in local law enforcement, public works, and transportation. This proposal is a great way to ensure that the state is supporting the communities that make up the fabric of Wisconsin.
Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
