This past year brought to bear the inaction of my predecessors and members of this and previous legislatures who avoided their responsibility and duty for far too long. Well, I’ll tell you this: it’s gone on long enough. It ends tonight.
I’m announcing today I will be calling a special session of the Legislature to take up a plan to modernize our unemployment system and help ensure nothing like this happens to the people of Wisconsin again.
We know that replacing this system will take years—that’s why it should’ve been done sooner, but it’s also why we now have not another moment to waste. No politics, no posturing, send me the bill and let’s just get it done.
And I want to make myself clear: if the Legislature continues to ignore this problem—if they gavel in and gavel out like they’ve done before, if they leave this problem for another administration, another generation—the people of this state will hold them accountable at the ballot box.
Because this year, we’re also going to fix another problem that’s plagued our state for more than a decade: our gerrymandered maps.
Last year during my State of the State address, I announced I would be creating the People’s Maps Commission—a nonpartisan redistricting committee of Wisconsinites from each congressional district who would draw fair, impartial maps based on the 2020 Census.
So, for the past several months, The People’s Maps Commission, selected by a panel of three retired judges, has gotten to work. They’re hosting virtual hearings in every congressional district to hear feedback and input from people across our state to begin drawing The People’s Maps.
Now, Republicans in the Legislature said right away they’d ignore any maps the Commission created. That’s not a surprise given that in 2011 the Legislature hired private attorneys to draw our maps in secret and behind closed doors. And because the Legislature wrote themselves out of Wisconsin’s public records law, they were able to destroy many of the public records from that process.
Well, I believe—and I know many of you at home do—that the people should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around. Wisconsinites don’t want maps that favor any political candidate or party—we just want maps where either candidate can win. Folks, that’s just common sense.
So, tonight, I’m announcing that my biennial budget is going to make sure that the Legislature draws our maps in the light of day, in the public eye, and with public input by requiring public meetings for the map-drawing process. And that’s why we’re also going to prevent the Legislature from destroying records from the map-drawing process because the people of our state deserve to know how these maps are drawn and by whom. And finally, and most importantly, we are going to require the Legislature to take up The People’s Maps, which will be drawn not by any political party or high-paid consultants, but by the people of our state.
Folks, it’s time we look to the people, not politicians, to draw maps that are fair and impartial.
Now, make no mistake: I do not underestimate the challenges that this new year may bring, or the grief we’re still grappling with, the ramifications we’ve yet to fully realize, the new problems that may arise still this year.
But as sure as we will face struggles, we will take them on together.
We’ve made it through a difficult year, folks. While it was discouraging, we aren’t defeated. While it was trying, we’re tough. Wisconsin, we’ve never been known for being timid, and we’re sure not going to start today. Our people, our state, and our democracy have withstood tests before, and we will again answer the call to go forward unfazed.
Be well, be healthy, and stay safe. Let’s get to work. Let’s move forward, together.
Thank you, and On, Wisconsin!
UW-Madison Marching Band, take it away!”
_____________
Announcements, Adjournment Honors and Remarks Under
Special Privilege
Senator Agard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who saved the U.S. Senate from violence and destruction. The events of Wednesday, January 6, 2021 have shaken the core of our nation. We grieve the lives lost, and our thoughts are with those who were physically injured or suffered severe trauma as a result of the violent insurrection prompted by President Trump. While this will be remembered as a dark day in our country’s history, the actions of Officer Goodman stand out as a beacon of light. Rioters who broke into the Capitol were chasing Officer Goodman up the stairs, the video then shows him glancing towards the Senate entrance before luring the extremists in the opposite direction at his own peril. He risked his own life to save those locked down in the U.S. Senate chamber. He, very literally, protected our democracy. Senator Agard thanks Officer Goodman for his service, honor the sacrifices he was willing to make for his country, and she proudly adjourns in his honor today in the Wisconsin State Senate.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the fallen United States Capitol Police officers that gave their lives in service of their country following the January 6th breach at the U.S. Capitol. As a former law enforcement officer himself, he knows he is not alone in saying he feels as though he lost a brother. Police officers keep the public safe and are an irreplaceable part of our community. The effects of the loss of a single officer reverberates throughout the entire community and state.
Senator Carpenter, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor and memory of US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick who died on January 6th in Washington, DC as a result of injuries sustained while engaging with demonstrators during the insurrection.
Senator Carpenter, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of US Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who induced the angry mob to chase him alone up several stair wells away from the US Senate Chambers. Officer Goodman acted bravely and wisely using his talents to prevent dozens of possible severe injuries and to save many lives.
_____________
Adjournment
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
7:30 P.M.
