Archive for the ‘Legislators’ Category

http://feingold.senate.gov/listening/advisories/10/vilas.html

FEINGOLD HOLDS LISTENING SESSIONS
IN VILAS AND FOREST COUNTIES ON MARCH 20

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold will hold listening sessions in Vilas and Forest Counties on Saturday, March 20. Senator Feingold has pledged to hold listening sessions in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties each year of his six-year term and this will be the Senator’s 18th year of holding listening sessions. These sessions will mark the 32nd and 33rd listening sessions of 2010 and the 1256th and 1257th since 1993. If constituents need special accommodations at the listening sessions they should contact Senator Feingold’s Middleton office at 608-828-1200.

His Vilas County listening session will be held at 12:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium at the St. Germain Community Center, 545 Highway 155, St. Germain. The meeting will last up to an hour.

His Forest County listening session will be held at 3:15 p.m. in the Auditorium at Crandon High School, 9750 US Highway 8 West, Crandon. The meeting will last up to an hour.

“I look forward to meeting with constituents in Vilas and Forest counties, as I learn more at these town meetings than I learn anywhere else,” Feingold said. “In order for me to be an effective legislator, I need to hear from the people I represent and they deserve every opportunity to let me know directly what they think about a particular issue. This is democracy in action and I am grateful to all those who take time out of their busy schedules to come to my meetings and let me know about the issues important to them. The feedback I receive is essential to my job as a U.S. Senator.”

NOTE: SENATOR FEINGOLD WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH THE MEDIA FOR A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THE LISTENING SESSIONS.

Legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin to join dozens of other states in passing legislation that says citizens cannot be required to have medical insurance (opposing Obamacare). Our Representative Meyer is one of the sponsors of the bill. See article below.

• Call Rep. Dan Meyer 608-266-7141 or 888-534-0034 or email Rep.Meyer@legis.wisconsin.gov and thank him.
• Call Sen. Jim Holperin 608-266-2509 or 800-334-8773 or email Sen.Holperin@legis.wisconsin.gov and ask him to support the bill.
• Call Sen. Jon Erpenbach 608-266-6670 or 888-549-0027 or email Sen.Erpenbach@legis.state.wi.us and ask him to take up the bill.

3/15/2010

Nullification? Might not need it this time around

published at FoxPolitics.net: http://foxpolitics.net/politics.iml?mdl=issues.mdl&issue_id=42531&Category=1

Virginia says no way will they allow the federal government to mandate their residents purchase health insurance and as such is seeking to nullify the federal law.

The Virginia Legislature this week is poised to become the first state to pass legislation that says citizens cannot be required to have medical insurance.

Dozens of other states are considering similar measures, possibly setting the stage for one of the greatest tests of federal power over the states since the civil rights era.

If states are allowed to opt out of the mandate, the foundation of Obama’s effort would be undermined, turning the nascent revolt here into one with national implications.

… Virginia’s lawmakers are focused on constitutional questions and the power of states to run their own affairs.
Wisconsin State Representative Leah Vukmir says it just right: “The real goal of national health insurance exchange isn’t competition — it’s a federal power grab that flies in the face of the Tenth Amendment.”

Well, Wisconsin is on of those “dozens of other states” attempting a similar nullification effort. Senate Joint Resolution 62 would create a constitutional amendment which requires adoption by two successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective. It’s pretty straightforward:
The people have the right to enter into private contracts with health care providers for health care services and to purchase private health care coverage. The legislature may not require any person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan.
Senator Leibham is the bill’s chief sponsor, joined by Senators Lazich, Kapanke, Darling, Grothman, A. Lasee, Hopper and Schultz; and Representatives Vos, Davis, Pridemore, Suder, Petersen, Meyer, Nygren, Kestell, Townsend, Kerkman, Tauchen, Kramer, Knodl, Gunderson, LeMahieu, Strachota, Honadel, Lothian, Kleefisch, Spanbauer, Ballweg, Nass and Ziegelbauer.

This is very serious stuff. Normally I’d say If your state representative or state senator isn’t on the list of supporters above (all Republicans by the way, except Rep. Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc), call them and ask them to add their name. I’d also suggest railing on Sen. Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), chair of the Senate Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief and Revenue Committee, who so far hasn’t taken up the bill.

But I don’t think we need it!

(It’s a good thing too. I can’t imagine Erpenbach will allow the bill to be heard in committee. On top of that, there’s a good bit of doubt that these state challenges would stand up to constitutional tests - yeah, explain that one – geeez.)

Timothy Jost, via the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that while the Senate bill imposes a mandate and imposes a slap-on-the-wrist penalty for not complying with the mandate, the penalty may not even be enforceable!
… the mandate is particularly vulnerable from an enforcement perspective. It essentially imposes a tax penalty (to begin in 2014 and to be fully phased in by 2016) on uninsured individuals who do not purchase health insurance, subject to a number of exceptions for those who cannot afford health insurance or who oppose it for religious reasons. Individuals are supposed to pay this penalty with their annual income taxes, but the Senate bill waives criminal penalties and prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from imposing liens or levies on a taxpayer’s property for failure to pay. Compliance will, therefore, be largely voluntary (although the IRS can still make a tax resister’s life miserable, whether or not it can ultimately collect). The state bills can thus be seen as invitations to civil disobedience that counsel state citizens to “violate the federal law, wave this statute in their face, and dare them to come after you.”
Time to wave the statute in somebody’s face.

Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net

Ribble is running against Steve Kagen for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.  For more information go to www.ribbleforcongress.com.

Petersen’s E-Press

A No Vote on the Governor’s Veto Override

One of the most controversial bills voted on this session, and one of the most misunderstood, is Assembly Bill 138.  The bill places the appointing authority for the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources with the Natural Resources Board.  Currently, the secretary is appointed by the governor.

I have consistently opposed AB 138 as written. Specifically, I am concerned with the DNR board’s lack of equal representation of a sporting, recreational, agricultural, and environmental balance (Petersen’s E-Press September 18, 2009).

On September 22, 2009, I voted in favor of an amendment requiring at least three members of the Natural Resources Board must have held an annual hunting, fishing, or trapping license seven out of the previous ten years, and at least one member of the board will have an agriculture background. Assembly Democrats voted to table the amendment before the bill’s final vote.

AB 138 passed both houses; however, Governor Doyle vetoed the bill. An override of the governor’s veto failed in the Assembly on February 23^rd.   A governor’s veto can be overridden with 2/3s of the legislature voting for the override.  The attempt failed on a 59 – 39 bipartisan no vote.

Five months passed between the bill’s passage in the legislature, its gubernatorial veto, and the Assembly’s vote to override the veto.  Concerns about the DNR board’s make-up were discussed on the Assembly floor September 22^nd.  Had those concerns been met, the override would have succeeded.

Because of Governor Doyle’s appointments, a majority of the DNR board currently is comprised of environmentalists. Approximately 2 months ago, a former Sierra Club employee and current Madison resident became the DNR board’s chair.  This is the first time in Wisconsin’s history an environmentalist instead of a conservationist was selected to head the board.

Author of AB 138, Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison), led the opposition to the equal representation amendment.  Rep. Black is a former conservation representative for the Sierra Club. His district encompasses the city of Madison, which has little if any hunting land.

Illustrating the DNR board’s environmentalist agenda is their recently passed rule banning bear hunting on 160 stewardship acres in the town of Baraboo. The ban nullified a provision in the 2007-09 budget which required public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and cross-country skiing on stewardship land.

Discussing the bear hunting ban issue in an article written by Tim Damos, Capital Newspapers, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Executive Director George Meyer stated; “The language is too vague. If the last two years are any indication of what is to come, outdoorsmen can expect to see more hunting and trapping bans on stewardship land.”

Ironically, this criticism is from the same person lobbying to put even more power in the hands of the DNR board. Proponents claim politics will be taken out of the process if the DNR secretary is appointed by the board.  However, board members who would choose the DNR secretary are appointed by the governor and serve staggered six year terms.

All seven members currently sitting on the Natural Resource Board were appointed by Governor Doyle.  In other words, overriding the governor’s veto of AB 138 would extend the current direction of the DNR along with Governor Doyle’s influence for years to come.

AB 138 without equal representation of hunters, anglers, and farmers is detrimental to Wisconsin. I voted no to the environmental extremist’s takeover attempt of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

What do you think about this issue?  Click here and send an email with your thoughts.

Catch and Release Update

My January 22, 2010 e-newsletter titled “Catch and Release” outlined problems with the legislative Democrats early prisoner release plan. Passed in the budget, the plan empowered the Department of Corrections to release convicted criminals early.

As of February 21^st, two of the twenty-two early release inmates have already been rearrested.  Both criminals had a history of committing crimes while on parole.  Alarmingly, in only about a month and a half, the recidivism rate is already at 10%.

The early release program’s outline and implementation were flawed from inception.  In January, along with 43 colleagues from both the Assembly and Senate, I called for an immediate repeal of the Governor’s misguided program.  To date, the governor has failed to respond to our concerns.

Therefore, I’ve now co-sponsored a bill which would reverse the early release program.

Respectfully,

Kevin Petersen

State Representative

40th Assembly District

Wisconsin Family Action Update

AB 751 is a bill to eliminate the Electoral College and rely on the National Popular Vote for national elections.  Smaller states would loose the influence we now have as a state under the current system.

AB 751, THE SO-CALLED “NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE” BILL

We have some good news on the AB 751, National Popular Vote bill.  First of all, thank you for all your efforts to contact your state legislators and forward the information to family and friends!  You are definitely having an impact.  During the hearing this past Wednesday, we heard from legislators that they had been receiving dozens of calls and emails from their constituents.  The big news, though, is that the three Republicans who were co-authors on the bill have removed their names and support! Representative Scott Newcomer (R-Hartland), Rep. Al Ott (R-Mequon) and Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) removed their names when you called and asked them to!

We had a good showing at the public hearing on Wednesday, despite the very short notice.  I gave testimony (you can read it here) against AB 751, along with several Constitutional experts and  a few concerned citizens who drove in from various areas of the state.  Only the bill’s author, Rep. Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison) and the National Popular Vote (NPV) lobbyist spoke in favor.  (Click here to read our take on the hearing and those who gave testimony).

Petition for AB 751

I was able to inform the committee in my testimony that in less than 24 hours we had already collected close to 1,000 signatures in opposition to the billl!  We’re now well over 1,000 signatures.  Please, if you haven’t signed the petition yet, click here to sign it and forward to family and friends.  We’ve learned that supporters of NPV really don’t have any grassroots support for the bill at this time so your efforts are extremely important because your state legislators aren’t really hearing from anyone else on this issue except paid lobbyists.

What’s Next for AB 751?

The Assembly Elections Committee will likely hold an Executive Session vote (not scheduled yet) on the bill.  If the committee passes the bill, it is then ready for a vote in the full Assembly. That does not mean that vote has to happen.  It simply means it can happen.   If this bill continues to move on this ultra fast-track, both the committee vote and the Assembly vote could happen quickly.  The session ends in late April, so whatever is going to happen would need to happen fairly soon.  We expect to see the Senate version of the bill any day, and very likely a rushed Senate committee hearing.  So stay tuned!

What you can do about AB 751

1)  Sign the petition, if you haven’t already done so–and then forward it to other Wisconsin citizens. (See above for more details.)

2)  If you have not contacted your State Representative on AB 751, we encourage you to click on the link at the end of this email to send a prepared email (which you can edit) to your Representative.

3)  We encourage you to also contact all the Assembly Elections Committee members, if you have not already done so.  Click here to find their contact information. Click here to send all the committee members an email message on this issue. (Note: if you see a “+” sign in front of the email addresses in your “Send to” box, remove the plus sign before sending the message.)

For more information and resources on AB 751, click here.

You are making a difference! We encourage you to take heart, stay engaged, pray and continue to do what you can do–for the sake of your family now and for their future.

For Families,

Julaine Appling, President
Wisconsin Family Action
www.wifamilyaction.org

866-849-2536

“Strengthening and preserving marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin”

Background of Assembly Bill 751 from Wisconsin Family Action:   Read the rest of this entry »

For Immediate Release January 27, 2010

Contact:  Senator Glenn Grothman 1-800-662-1227 - Capitol
262-689-8421 – Cell

One More Time – Stop the Global Warming Committee NOW!

Chairman Thilly’s Conflict of Interest puts Credibility of

Global Warming Task Force in Doubt

Madison: Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) will publicly ask the Chairman of the Clean Energy Committee to begin today’s hearing with discussion as to whether the committee should be disbanded now that efforts of Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon) have revealed that WPPI Energy of Sun Prairie is a major financial beneficiary of high-priced renewable energy.

“This whole thing smells – Roy Thilly, the chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming, made it sound during the initial hearing as if he was concerned about the climate and renewable energy.  Now it turns out he has such a financial stake in this matter that he could not possibly be an impartial chair and the Task Force’s work should be promptly dispatched to the wastebasket,” Grothman said.

“The idea we would even consider spending billions of dollars on alternative energy because of the recommendations made by a task force that was run by a man with such a brazen conflict of interest is untenable.  He really should have disqualified himself as chairman before the task force started.  In the alternative, the Clean Energy Committee ought to at least suspend operations until we get a thorough review of how much money Mr. Thilly and his company would get if this legislation would pass as proposed,” said Grothman.

Senator Grothman reiterated his call to disband the Clean Energy Committee as Wisconsin has had its second year in a row of temperatures below average, calling the whole rationale of the original task force in question.  At the first committee meeting Senator Miller adjourned the committee while Senator Grothman tried to get his attention to discuss this fact.

Dear Friends,

Wisconsinites are welcome to testify or register on these bills that will have a major impact on our state’s economy. the Assembly Special Committee on Clean Energy Jobs will be holding a Public Hearing on Governor Doyle’s Global Warming bill (Assembly Bill 649/Senate Bill 450).

Monday, February 15
10AM
State Capitol – Room 412 East

Hearing Notice: http://committeeschedule.legis.wisconsin.gov/files/HearingNotices/10-02-15-1000-2009ACEJ-13062.html

Click Here to View the Bills:
Assembly Bill 649 http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB649hst.html
Senate Bill 450 http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB450hst.html

Some “Highlights” of the Global Warming Bills Include:
* A 25% renewable energy portfolio with a net $16.2 Billion cost increase by 2025 which will be paid by utility rate-payers.

* The loss of 43,093 private sector jobs. (Wisconsin has lost 163,000 jobs in the last year.)

* A per capita loss of disposable income equal to $1,012 per year.
* A $1.6 billion drop in gross wages.
* If adopted, Wisconsin’s motorists will have to follow California’s emission standards meaning people in California whom you did not elect will determine the emissions standards for Wisconsin’s drivers.

To share your concerns about the future of Wisconsin’s economy with your state legislators, click here for contact information: http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

Working for Wisconsin’s Families,

Jolene R. Churchill, Assistant
Senator Glenn Grothman
20^th Senate District
1-800-662-1227

Website for WISCONSIN’S BUSINESS VOICE – Please go to RELATED MATERIAL—SAVE JOBS! SIGN THE PETITION

http://www.wmc.org/governmentaffairs/display.cfm?ID=2241

Jim Holperin, our State Senator

Constituents are invited to come and discuss any topics with Jim Holperin.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

9:00-10:00 am - Three Lakes Town Board Room, 6965 W. School St.

11:00 am-Noon - Land O’ Lakes Public Library Community Room, 4242 County B

1:15-2:15 pm - Minocqua Town Hall Board room, 415 Menominee St.

Holperin can be reached at at 1-800-334-8773 or Sen.Holperin@legis.wi.gov

Information provided by News of the North:  Article

“Even the Democrats who voted for the disastrous state budget are complaining about all of the hidden tax and fee increases…”

Misleading Legislation

It’s no surprise jobs – or the lack of jobs – is the foremost issue on the minds of everyone.  In fact, a Pew Research Center public opinion poll showed job creation and the economy are Americans top priorities at 81% and 83%, respectively.  Wisconsin alone had approximately 440 people per day become unemployed in 2009.

Instead of introducing an incentive package encouraging employers to locate, hire, and remain in the state, the Wisconsin Democrat leadership and Governor Doyle are proposing Senate Bill 450 and Assembly Bill 649 commonly called “The Clean Energy Jobs Act.”

Read the rest of this entry »