Contents Include:
1. Bishop Morlino and WCC Testify in Support of Ban on Fetal Body Parts
2. Governor Signs Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
3. Governor Vetoes Payday Lending Expansion in State Budget
4. Assembly Speaker Announces New Task Forces
5. Upcoming Hearings of Interest
6. New Bills of Interest
7. Websites of Interest
Bishop Morlino and WCC Testify in Support of Ban on Fetal Body Parts
Testifying before the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, expressed support for
Assembly Bill 305, which would prohibit the sale and use of fetal body parts from aborted children in Wisconsin. To view his testimony, visit the Wisconsin Eye
website and click the screen icon. Bishop Morlino's testimony begins at timer mark 3:03:40. The WCC also
testified in support. The committee took no further action on the bill. Readers are urged to contact their representatives and senators, asking them to support the proposal. Go to http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ and type home address under "Find My Legislators."
Governor Signs Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
On July 20, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 179 (Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin) as 2015 Wisconsin Act 56. The new law, which the WCC supported, prohibits the abortion of an unborn child considered capable of experiencing pain, except to save the life of the mother.
Governor Vetoes Payday Lending Expansion in State Budget
On July 12, Governor Walker signed the state budget, after having vetoed numerous provisions, including one that would have given payday lenders expansive new powers. The WCC and 29 other advocacy groups had previously sent a letter to the Governor requesting his veto.
Assembly Speaker Announces New Task Forces
Speaker Robin Voss (R-Rochester) has announced the creation of three new task forces:
Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia
Will improve and promote community-based resources and raise awareness, as well as address legal issues and determine possible state participation in treatment and research.
Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah), Chair
Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton), Vice Chair
Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown)
Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg)
Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville)
Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma)
Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc)
Rep. Beth Meyers (D-Bayfield)
Rep. Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee)
Speaker's Task Force on Urban Education
Will study teacher recruitment and retention, discuss best practices to address truancy, below-average academic performance and low graduation rates, and explore ways to improve access to technology in high poverty urban areas.
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Franklin), Chair
Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains), Vice Chair
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin)
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac)
Rep. Thomas Weatherston (R-Caledonia)
Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma)
Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha)
Rep. Dave Heaton (R-Wausau)
Rep. John Macco (R-Ledgeview)
Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Jill Billings (D-LaCrosse)
Rep. Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay)
Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee)
Speaker's Task Force on Youth Workforce Readiness
Will explore ways to improve collaboration between schools, technical colleges and local employers; increase awareness of apprenticeships and internships in these fields; and examine future industry needs and challenges facing our state.
Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford), Chair
Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), Vice Chair
Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
Rep. Andre Jacque (R-DePere)
Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva)
Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield)
Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander)
Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine)
Rep. Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit)
Upcoming Hearings of Interest
(N.B. Only bills of interest are flagged. In most cases, committees will be considering other bills as well.)
Assembly Public Benefit Reform, 10 am, Tue, Aug 18, 225-NW
AB-212 Unemployment Insurance Filings (Kerkman, Samantha (R)) Acts of concealment and misrepresentations in filing for or claiming unemployment insurance benefits.
AB-222 FoodShare ID (Kremer, Jesse (R)) Photo identification cards for FoodShare recipients.
New Bills of Interest
SJR-46 Restrictions on Marriages (Carpenter, Tim (D)) Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration).
Referred to Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
SB-214 Grow Wisconsin (Shilling, Jennifer (D)) A Grow Wisconsin pilot program providing benefits to FoodShare recipients for purchasing Wisconsin-grown foods and making an appropriation. Referred to Senate Health and Human Services
SB-229 Columbaria Regulation (Lazich, Mary (R)) Regulation of columbaria maintained by religious associations.
Referred to Senate Government Operations and Consumer Protection
AJR-53 Restrictions on Marriage (Zamarripa, JoCasta (D)) Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). Referred to Assembly Judiciary
AB-268 Mausoleums (Ott, Jim (R)) Regulation of mausoleums.
Referred to Assembly State Affairs and Government Operations
AB-283 Parental Choice Program (Pope, Sondy (D)) The requirements for participation in a parental choice program and the percentage of pupils who may attend a private school under such a program.
Referred to Assembly Education
AB-285 Columbaria Regulation (Brooks, Robert (R)) Regulation of columbaria maintained by religious associations.
Referred to Assembly State Affairs and Government Operations
AB-292 Grow Wisconsin (Jorgensen, Andy (D)) A Grow Wisconsin pilot program providing benefits to FoodShare recipients for purchasing Wisconsin-grown foods and making an appropriation.
Referred to Assembly Public Benefits Reform
AB-305 Fetal Body Parts (Jacque, Andre (R)) Sale and use of fetal body parts and providing a criminal penalty.
Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-309 Revocation Limit (Johnson, LaTonya (D)) Limiting the number of annual revocations of extended supervision and parole for violations that are not a crime.
Referred to Assembly Corrections
