Assembly Session Last Week
Last Friday the Assembly finished up its regular session around 9 p.m. We had a lot of bills to work through, and some big issues to try and solve.
One of the biggest issues that was addressed was PFAS legislation, passed in the form of two bills Assembly Bill 130, and Assembly 131. Assembly Bill 131 creates new PFAS-specific grant programs to help communities get the resources they need to address contamination while providing new protections for victims of pollution. Assembly Bill 130 funds these new resources and initiatives. These bills are the result of bipartisan work between Assembly leaders and the Governor, and will protect our water supply while also helping to protect landowners.
Speaker Vos Announces His Retirement
[see featured photo above] On Thursday Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced that he is not running for re-election and will be retiring at the end of this term. Speaker Vos has been the Speaker for 14 years and was first elected to the Assembly in 2004. Speaker Vos has been the most influential Speaker in its history. From delivering historic tax relief, empowering the people’s Assembly, passing responsible budgets, and enacting Act 10, Robin Vos has played an enormous role in the success of our state. He will leave state government in far better shape than he found it.This news is bittersweet for me as Speaker Vos has been my Speaker for my entire 14-year career in the Assembly. He has been a strong ally who has helped me achieve nearly all of my legislative successes—from my first major accomplishment changing state library law to help save Outagamie County money, to the recent passage of the Equality Amendment which, if approved by voters next fall, will end discrimination on the basis of sex and race.
I want to congratulate Speaker Vos on his retirement and on a truly great career of public service. He is a credit to the State Assembly and a dear personal friend. Well done, Robin.
Madison Meeting
Last week I had a meeting with the folks from the Chippewa Valley Rally, put on by Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. They came to Madison to promote the Chippewa Valley, and talk to legislators about key bills that have been passed so far this session. It’s always great to hear from people all over the state, and learn their perspectives.
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
