Congratulations to Rebel Green in Mequon, Enviro-Safe Consulting in Germantown, and Intelligent Video Solutions in Sussex for making Inc. Magazine's 2021 Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies! Overall, 53 Wisconsin companies made the list. That's great news for our state.

 

Also, congratulations go out to the Wisconsin State Fair for another successful year. As expected, attendance was down a little, especially considering the severe weather. However, more than 840,000 people attended the event this year. There are only 349 more days until the next State Fair!

 

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Jacob Blake incident in Kenosha. The events led to rioting and destructing in that city after Governor Evers ignored pleas and was slow to send in the National Guard. That delay led to $50 million in property damages and scores of injuries. The police officer involved in the shooting was cleared, but there remained a need for reform.

 

Recently, one of the bipartisan reforms I authored with former police officer and chair of the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee Van Wanggaard of Racine became law. Our bill requires public reports on the use of force by police officers and limited deadly force to the last resort. Unfortunately, the governor vetoed another bill that would have prevented defunding our police. It's just the latest example that shows the governor is out of step with the people of Wisconsin. There's more about that below.

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Recently, Governor Evers vetoed two of my bills which restore trust and transparency in our elections. Senate Bill 210 protects both election workers and observers, and Senate Bill 212 ensures only legitimate ballots are counted while providing voters the opportunity to correct errors on their ballot. The governor’s vetoes put a cloud over future elections.  

 

These bills do not limit anyone’s right to vote. The truth is, my bills make sure ballots are counted and that the process is fair and transparent. Governor Evers is opening up our state to more expensive lawsuits and more controversy.

 

In her dissent in President Trump's lawsuit, Chief Justice Pat Roggensack raised serious issues regarding ballot curing in our state. She noted that guidance issued by the Wisconsin Elections Commission directed clerks to write in missing address information. However, current law does not permit that. Senator Bill 212 creates a system for voters to check if there was a problem with their ballot and made sure outside groups weren’t allowed to alter ballots. The governor’s veto on Senate Bill 212 continues to put ballots in jeopardy of not counting on Election Day.  

 

Ballot curing is based on arbitrary guidance, not the law. My bill would make that process clear. Fixing problems on a ballot is a good thing. Who fixes those mistakes is also important. Until the vote is counted, the ballot should belong to the voter, not a clerk or an outside group.

 

Senate Bill 210 makes sure election observers are allowed uniform and nondiscriminatory access to all stages of the election process, including the certification of election technologies, early voting, absentee voting, voter appeals, vote tabulation, and recounts. It also includes protections for election officials so it will be easier for communities to find people to help on Election Day. 

 

When the rules are clear for everyone, our election process will be much smoother. The Governor’s veto means the public might be prevented from witnessing the process, and election workers aren’t protected by law. This is an extremely dangerous and shortsighted veto.

 

The governor can only delay these important reforms. I will continue to fight for the integrity of our elections.

This week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlighted yet another failure by Governor Evers and his Department of Workforce Development (DWD). According to the paper, thousands of unemployment claims are backlogged which is leading to people waiting for months for the money they are entitled to.

This is just the latest disaster facing Evers' DWD.

I will continue to fight for people to make sure they get the benefits they deserve. If you ever need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

One in three students in Milwaukee is living in poverty. You can help them have a successful school year. The Milwaukee Rescue Mission is raising funds to get kids the supplies they need. Click on the picture for more information.

One way you can help is by donating blood. If you have recovered from COVID-19, please especially consider donating your plasma.

You can find out where to donate here and here.

The first annual War Memorial Center Operation 5K Run, Walk, and Roll will be held on August 29, 2021. Click on the picture above for more information.