One-Hundred and Fifth Regular Session FRIDAY, April 9, 2021
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
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Amendments Offered
hist131491Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 122 offered by Representative Sortwell. hist131492Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 147 offered by Representative Petersen. hist131493Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 194 offered by Representative Brooks. _____________
Introduction and Reference of Proposals
Read first time and referred:
Relating to: directing the attorney general to seek to join the state as a plaintiff in State of West Virginia, et al., v. US Department of the Treasury, et al.
By Representatives Vos, Steineke and August.
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Communications
April 9, 2021
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist131466Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 232, relating to assistance to households and property owners. hist131469Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 233, relating to grants for certain small businesses. Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 234, relating to tourism industry grants.
hist131468Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 237, relating to deposits into the unemployment reserve fund. hist131472Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 238, relating to allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds for local highways and bridges. Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 239, relating to the use of certain federal funds for broadband expansion grants.
hist131471Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 241, relating to retiring public debt and transportation revenue bonds. Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 243, relating to allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds for certain environmental purposes and granting rule-making authority.
Sincerely,
DAVID STEFFEN
State Representative
4th Assembly District
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April 9, 2021
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist131494Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 244, relating to top-five primaries and instant runoff voting for the offices of U.S. senator and U.S. representative in Congress. hist131500Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 251, relating to impersonating a public officer, public employee, or employee of a utility and providing a penalty. Sincerely,
STEVE DOYLE
State Representative
94th Assembly District
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April 9, 2021
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist131508Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 54, relating to farmland preservation implementation grants, agreements, and tax credits and making an appropriation. Sincerely,
DIANNE HESSELBEIN
State Representative
79th Assembly District
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April 9, 2021
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist131521Please add my name as a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill 251, relating to impersonating a public officer, public employee, or employee of a utility and providing a penalty. Sincerely,
JANET BEWLEY
State Senator
25th Senate District
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Transcript of Debate on Senate Bill 183
On Tuesday, March 23, Speaker Vos asked unanimous consent that the Chief Clerk's office transcribe the entire debate on Senate Bill 183 be entered in the journal. The full text of the debate follows:
Speaker Pro Tempore August: We’re on the fourth order of business on today's calendar, messages from the Senate. The Chief Clerk will read the message from the Senate.
Chief Clerk: Message from the Senate from Michael Queensland Senate Chief Clerk. Mr. Speaker, I am directed to inform you that the Senate has passed and asks concurrence in Senate Bill 183, relating to legislative oversight of federal COVID-19 funds.
Speaker Pro Tempore August: We’re on the tenth order of business on today's calendar, gentleman from the 40th.
Representative Peterson (40): Thank you Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Senate Bill 183 be taken off today’s calendar.
Speaker Pro Tempore August: The gentlemen from the 40th asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 183 be withdrawn from the Senate message and taken it up at this time. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the bill.
Chief Clerk: Senate Bill 183, relating to legislative oversight of federal COVID-19 funds.
Speaker Pro Tempore August: The question is shall Senate Bill 183 be ordered to a third reading? All in favor say aye, all opposed say no. The ayes have it. Gentleman from the 40th.
Representative Peterson (40): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 183 be given its third reading.
Speaker Pro Tempore August: The gentlemen from 40th asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 183 be given its third reading. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the bill.
Chief Clerk: Senate Bill 183 relating to legislative oversight of federal COVID-19 funds.
Speaker Pro Tempore August: Having been read three times, shall Senate Bill 183 be concurred in? Lady from the 79th on concurrence.
Representative Hesselbein (79): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Why is this bill in front of us today? If you want to run for governor, run for governor. Maybe there's going to be a huge primary on that side of the aisle. I don't know. Um, but if there's one thing that's pretty clear from the speeches today, it’s that the Speaker just isn't into Governor Evers. But I tell you, Mr. Speaker, you should be, because this is just the short list of what Governor Evers and his administration did this past year. They implemented the We're All In grant program, providing nearly $240 million directly to small businesses facing hardship during this pandemic. In phase one, $65 million went to 26,000 small businesses across this entire state receiving $2500 each. In phase two, $130 million to 26,000 small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic receiving $50,000 each. In phase three, it directed to 2,000 restaurants receiving $20,000 each. Examples in my district include the Mustard Museum, Hubbard Avenue Diner, and I know I've talked about Hubbard Diner and their fantastic pies before, Little Strokes Swim Academy and Luna Pet Resort. In live music and entertainment venue grants, $15 million to 96 venues to help with financial stabilization. $131 million in targeted allocations for efforts aimed at addressing health care worker shortages and helping create capacity in Wisconsin hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. $40 million for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. $30 million for post-acute admissions incentive payments for skilled nursing facilities. $60 million for a long term care direct payment program supplement. The Out of School Support grants of $6.6 million to 42 Wisconsin organizations. There was even a movie theater grant program, $10 million awarded to 54 movie theater operators across the entire state of Wisconsin. There was a $10 million investment aimed at providing economic stabilization for nonprofit organizations, providing critical services to Wisconsinites during COVID-19. There was $5 million awarded for the expansion of high speed broadband Internet. There is tourism relief to accelerate vitality and economic lift, called a travel grant, $8 million awarded to the travel industry. This money was spent all over the state of Wisconsin, in my district and in your district. People needed our help and the governor answered the call. Vote no on this bill. Once again, if you want to run for governor, have at it. Thank you.
