AUGUST 12, 2019
NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL AND AROUND WISCONSIN
DEMOCRAT BILL WOULD TAX GUN MANUFACTURERS
Senator Lena Taylor and Representative Jimmy Anderson, both Democrat lawmakers from Milwaukee and Dane Counties respectively, are proposing legislation that would tax gun manufacturers.

The two lawmakers propose taking the revenue from the tax and creating a fund within the Wisconsin Department of Justice that would assist victims of gun violence with any costs related to their experience with such violence. The lawmakers said it is "unacceptable that gun manufacturers are getting off scot-free as gun violence continues to plague families."

The letter also goes on to say that gun manufacturers should be help responsible for needless violence.

Meanwhile, Democrat Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said last week that he prefers the style of "red flag law" that passed in Colorado and will go into effect on January 1, 2020. The law allows for a family member, roommate, or law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily take away somebody's gun. A hearing would take place, and a judge would then have up to two weeks to make a decision. The firearm could only be removed for up to a year.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he will not entertain any ideas that restrict the Second Amendment or due process in Wisconsin. He and other Republican leaders in the legislature will be meeting this week with Governor Evers to discuss gun violence and possible legislation.
FEMA OK'S DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to send personnel to conduct damage assessments following last month's storms. FEMA crews will work alongside Wisconsin's Emergency Management crews to conduct the surveys.

Governor Evers made a request last week for FEMA to review the damage- the first step in the process for ultimately receiving federal aid for local governments. Evers also said that insurance would be covering the costs of damage to private property, and would not be eligible for the government's help.

FEMA will assess Marinette, Menominee, Octonto, Outagamie, Shawano, and Waupaca counties, as well as the Menominee Tribal Reservation.
WISCONSIN RECEIVING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO FIGHT OPIOID EPIDEMIC
The United States Department of Health and Human Services announced it is giving Wisconsin over $3 million to assist the state with fighting the ongoing opioid crisis in the state.

The money is aimed at helping fund initiatives such as community health centers, rural support centers, and more. Over $200 million in federal aid will be granted to all 50 states to help deal with the issue.

According to Department of Health and Human Services data, opioid treatment centers have seen a 140 percent uptick in the number of patients since 2016.
CONSERVATIVE MEDIA GROUP SUES TONY EVERS
Conservative media group MacIver Institute for Public Policy is suing Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in federal court over media access at official events.

The group says Governor Tony Evers is violating the first amendment and equal access clauses in the constitution by stopping them from attending public events and not notifying them of Evers' public appearances. The lawsuit also alleges that MacIver is not being treated the same as liberal writers and publications in the media.

"MacIver News Services covers legislative hearings, floor sessions, news conferences and state government issues from a conservative viewpoint," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

A spokesperson for Democrat Governor Tony Evers says he is "committed to openness and transparency in state government." Even liberal-leaning "open government" watchdog and president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council Bill Lueders called Evers' behavior "deeply troubling."

The group says access to Evers' events are vital to covering the administration for its readers.
LAWMAKER PROPOSES CHANGING TOBACCO AGE IN WISCONSIN
Democrat lawmaker Melissa Sargent of Madison has proposed changing the legal age for tobacco purchase, possession, and consumption form 18 to 21 in Wisconsin.

Sargent says she is receiving bipartisan support for her proposal, and that "it is vital that we create the safest place for everyone to live, work and play, and we know tobacco is very dangerous and tobacco products are very dangerous."

Sargent cited statistics that show 90% of tobacco users start prior to age 21, and that the popularity of new "e-cigarettes" have skyrocketed almost 80% in recent years, according to the FDA. Wisconsin would become the 19th state in the United States to change the tobacco age to 21.

Legal adulthood in the United States is age
ELECTIONS OFFICIALS CONSIDERING LOAN PROGRAM FOR OUTDATED ELECTION EQUIPMENT
More than 500 state elections systems in Wisconsin are on computers that have reached our outlived their useful lives, or will expire by the 2020 elections, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

That is why officials at the Madison-based commission are considering spending almost $1 million to replace outdated computes and equipment, update software, and address cyber security ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

The Elections Commission is considering a plan that would lend computers to municipalities whose operating systems are no longer viable or are outdated. According to the commission, the loans would be on a "first come, first served" basis, and the program serves as the logical next step to a series of actions they have taken in recent years to secure voter information.

The commission would also like to spend about $70,000 to purchase software that would help their bureau assess any data vulnerabilities in Wisconsin's elections system, and prevent local governments from accessing the state's WisVote website if they do not meet certain cyber security criteria.
WEEKLY MEMBER POLL RESULTS
A democrat lawmaker has proposed ending 'hair discrimination' in Wisconsin. After reading the article...
It would seem common sense that African American people would choose hair styles that are most complimentary to their hair type and not expected to make their hair straight like most white people have. Lets all try to be more accepting of individual differences. Do we have to have a law about everything.

Yet another bad PR move for the Democrats. They are trying to lose elections. Given equal two job candidates, yes, if one of them had crazy hair, I'd chose the other.

If I don't want to hire someone because they look ridiculous, that's my business.

no

I think the language would have to be very specific. Otherwise, I could see people taking things beyond the intent of the law to include any hair, clothing, etc requirements for professionalism, uniforms or personal safety within an organization.

It is my business on my property. I don't want to lose money because potential customers are turned off by the looks of my employees!

Har should be "neat and tidy" braids etc are fine but "tied" back or out of the way

unnecessary

No. If someone comes for a job, I WOULD expect them to look nice...hair, clothes, body odor, etc.

There's a big difference between "natural hair that can be hard to control" and "lack of personal hygiene"

I agree with the proposal.

no,I think that this is the most foolish thing that I have ever heard of

We are gonna legislate APPEARANCE??

What is next we are going to set up laws that you can't discriminate against fingernail color. How about fixing our economy rather than wasting time on trivial things.

a potential employee has to be non offensive when in public, including piercings and tattoos -California copy cat if this is lawmaking vote them out

I understand the intent, but legislation seems unnecessary.

It would depend on safety. If anyone hair is long and may be caught in a machine or end up in food, I would not hire. Other than that hairstyles are personal.

Health care and food service seam like places where hair should be part of work ruled.

If there is proof of discrimination based on hair then it should probably be addressed

Had long hair to my shoulder also long beard. Had no problems with my job

Glad to see she's tackling the more important issues of our time.
Governor Evers is proposing additional groundwater protections. Are you happy with the Evers Administration's emphasis on water in Wisconsin?
Water is our best resource, let's protect it. The large farms are the ones with the greatest amounts of manure and farmers have been pushed in this direction.

We get our water from Lake Michigan, the quality is perfect. I feel badly for those around the state who have polluted wells, but they probably voted for the wrong politicians, so they get to lie in the bed they made.

I'd like more detail first

Water is ok where we live.

We have hard water. What I'm really frustrated with is lack of testing for larger issues with water. We all test for bacteria - what about heavy metals?

Water is good,, have culligan water filtered in our home. Really didn't have to.

good

my water is good

good water, but nitrates are a future concern...

We live in the highest cancer per capita county in the state, ground water contamination and pesticide use needs stricter control and ENFORCEMENT

Nitrate runoff and groundwater contamination is a huge problem! I’m glad this is a priority.

The water is fine where I live. We should be aware and be vidulent to keep water clean, but don't hit the livestock person over the head with unrealist requirements.

Great where I'm at. We're all for clean water but what are the details and who will.be effected?

Very good.
The UW System might begin implementing some performance-based funding for the schools within the system. After reading the article...
I would like to see some of the money go to entrepreneur training.

Good idea!

This will only work if people with NOTHING to gain in it are the ones running the oversight of how well the school is doing. Otherwise it'll just become a funding disaster.

not interested in this.

It's a start. But the schools are driving up costs for their own mission(s) and leaving student debt to the problem of the rest of the country. I like the idea that was cast forward that if the university system in our country pushes and promises to students that their $80,000 student debt won't be a problem, the university should then be accountable for some of the problem.

Any goal is better than none...you want the UW to churn out degrees? This helps.

Good idea but whom will over see another new government agency

A university should graduate students. Student access and progress in degree completion is the most important metric.

Let's look at job placement and performance. Not always the case that best test takers preform better in real life situation.
The Attorney General is pushing for a 'red flag law' in Wisconsin. After reading the article...
People with mental health problems should not have guns, we also need funding for mental health or a push for health care for all.

Absolutely need red flag laws. And anyone who is insane enough to buy an AK-47 (and others) should be red flagged.

I don't like what I'm hearing about who can raise the red flags.

to easy to be wrongfully used, by goverment or pissed off neightobers

Too many nut cases can get guns

There should be "safe guards" so that it is NOT easily abused

Don't know how this could be implemented without people suing.

If threats are made about shooting someone,,, yes report.

some people should have their guns confiscated but,where does that end???

A toe-hold that will spur democrats to run wrought with abuse.

WAAYY to easy to abuse!

We as a nation need to start somewhere family and friends see something say something with red flag

We can institutionalize a family member if they are a threat to themselves or others. This also makes sense. And universal background checks are a no-brainer!

I am a very strong constrictive, but after this last weekend we must DO SOMETHING. There is no reason for the private citizen to own an assault weapon or handguns. Remember handguns only reason for being is to shoot other humans. There is also no reason that 2/3 + of the tv shows have guns as part of the plot. There are a lot of good reasons private citizens owning for owning hunting weapons.

Let's hear the details. Hope it takes more than an angry ex or family member, dispute with neighbor etc to take second amendment rights away from lawbiding individual s

The details matter

They will find a way to red flag all gun owners

I agree with what the NRA person said. An unstable person is not necessarily going to reach first for their firearm. Look at these looney tunes who drive into crowds!
THIS WEEK'S MEMBER POLL
By clicking the link, you understand that it is the policy of WPT, Inc. to publish all comments that are submitted by members each week, often including broad differences of opinion within the weekly responses. Our organization values our role in fostering dialogue within our membership, but does not take responsibility for the individual views and opinions expressed herein.  
LEGISLATION
BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW OR VETOED
AB-275  Design Inventory (Sanfelippo, Joe) Highway project design inventory for design-build projects. Signed ( Act 18 )

AB-273  Materials Bids (Sanfelippo, Joe) Bids proposing the use of alternate subbase materials. Vetoed

AB-284  Merit Awards (Sanfelippo, Joe) Discretionary merit awards by the Department of Transportation. Vetoed
BILLS IN CIRCULATION
LRB-2962   Memo  Medicaid Expansion (Erpenbach, Jon) Eligibility expansion under the Medical Assistance program. Deadline: Monday, August 12, Noon

LRB-1206   Memo  Psychology (Tittl, Paul) The practice of psychology, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. Deadline: Thursday, August 15, Noon

LRB-3539   Memo  Lead Testing (Cowles, Rob) Lead testing of potable water sources in certain schools; providing loans for lead remediation in certain schools; and providing an exception to referendum restrictions for lead remediation. Deadline: Tuesday, August 20, 5 pm

LRB-3566   Memo  Lead Testing (Cowles, Rob) Testing for lead in drinking water in facilities used for recreational and educational camps and child care. Deadline: Tuesday, August 20, 5 pm

LRB-3539   Memo  Lead Testing (Cowles, Rob) Lead testing of potable water sources in certain schools; providing loans for lead remediation in certain schools; and providing an exception to referendum restrictions for lead remediation. Deadline: Tuesday, August 20, 5 pm

LRB-3566   Memo  Lead Testing (Cowles, Rob) Testing for lead in drinking water in facilities used for recreational and educational camps and child care. Deadline: Tuesday, August 20, 5 pm

LRB-2503   Memo  Child Abuse Reporting (Taylor, Chris) The duty of a member of the clergy to report child abuse. Deadline: Wednesday, August 21, 5 pm

LRB-3450   Memo  Gun Manufacturer Tax (Anderson, Jimmy) Imposing a tax on firearm manufacturers and services provided to victims of crimes involving firearms, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. Deadline: Thursday, August 29

LRB-1673   Memo  UW Tuition Exemptions (Zamarrippa, JoCasta) University of Wisconsin System tuition exemptions. Deadline: Friday, August 16, Noon

LRB-2755   Memo  Medical Assistance Coverage (Loudenbeck, Amy) Coverage of services under Medical Assistance provided through telehealth and other technologies, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Deadline: Wednesday, August 21

LRB-3814   Memo  Housing Discrimination (Taylor, Chris) Discrimination base on citizenship or immigration status under the open housing law. Deadline: Thursday, August 22, Noon