MADISON – Today, in another floor session focused on punishing workers and creating more paperwork for Wisconsinites, Assembly Republicans advanced bills that would add more requirements to unemployment insurance, disqualify some workers from unemployment benefits entirely, and preempt local programs providing unrestricted support to people in need, among other changes to state law.
Rep. Madison voted against the Republicans’ entire workforce package.
Representative Madison (D-10) issued the following statement:
“Today, Republicans continued to characterize working-class Wisconsinites as lazy, unmotivated, and untrustworthy. Instead of rewarding these hard-working Wisconsinites with increased wages, benefits, and protections, Republicans are adding new complications to unemployment insurance, further demonizing and punishing workers. They’re also threatening the very existence of successful local programs that offer cash payments to people who need them, without restriction.
As a son of an underemployed, hard-working Wisconsinite, I watched my mother work 40+ hours a week to provide for me and my siblings while making approximately $25,000 annually. I often spent my time after school sitting in her place of work, due to a lack of affordable childcare access. I cannot imagine how what we’ve done today helps her, or people like her.
Wisconsin’s sectoral worker shortages only exist because of the significant structural barriers in our economy that prevent working-class individuals from accessing dignified, well-paying jobs. Today’s legislation hurts employees and employers – and does nothing to address workers’ challenges in our increasingly fragile Trump-era economy. “
