Madison, Wis – Thursday saw yet another historic moment in the state legislature. Due to an avoidable impasse, the Assembly floor session was once again not recorded. As a result, Wisconsinites did not have the opportunity to watch debate on several significant bills, including proposals related to public education, children’s health, and worker wages.
In an effort to improve those mostly Republican bills, Democrats introduced amendments to either make the bills better and thus revealing the holes in the bills – most of which were rushed in a tidal wave of legislation during a period in which WisconsinEye remains offline, limiting public access to legislative proceedings. Republicans admitted in committee hearings (again, no public record made) that they hadn’t spoken with all relevant stakeholders about these bills.
Rep. Ann Roe (D-Janesville) said, “This week marked the first time in 19 years that an Assembly floor session was not recorded for public viewing. This is unacceptable. Democrats are not afraid of
transparency and are urgently working to come up with a solution, while the majority party sits back and hides behind the blackout.”
One Republican bill considered during the session addressed controlling ingredients in public and private school meals, an area that is already regulated at the federal level. Rep. Roe introduced an amendment to that bill that would provide grants to help replace lead pipes. For many low-income and rural communities; the cost of replacing lead service lines remains a significant burden.
Rep. Roe said on the floor “If we as a body are truly committed to helping all children in all parts of the state develop into smart, healthy adults, then we need to get the lead out.” Lead poisoning is silent and permanent and affects a child’s future. The EPA estimated WI has over 341,000 active lead service lines. Lead pipes are not limited to the big cities. Lead contaminated soil also contributes to the threat of lead poisoning.”
While Republicans rushed incomplete, redundant and often harmful bills –Democrats this week introduced a voter protection bill package and invited local press to attend the rollout. The package is intended to strengthen access to voting and responds to issues raised by voters across the state.
During Thursday’s floor session, Republicans argued that several bills addressed affordability challenges facing Wisconsinites. However, Democrats noted that many of the proposals did not
fully address core cost-of-living concerns, including wages, mental health care, and household expenses.
Additional amendments offered during the session would have provided further relief for families, workers, and public schools, but each was rejected by the Republican majority.
“We as legislators took an oath to serve our districts and all of Wisconsin. By taking that oath, we are accountable for our work. One year ago, majority leader Vos pledged a new era of full transparency. Given Republicans’ inability to collaborate to solve the blackout, there is actually less transparency than when the session began,” Roe concluded.
