Relating to revisions to pupil nondiscrimination procedures.
hist137540No action taken by committee on Education on June 29, 2021. Referred on June 30, 2021.
Relating to veterans assistance grants.
hist137538No action taken by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs on June 21, 2021. Referred on June 30, 2021.
Relating to the provisions and administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Submitted by Public Service Commission.
hist135863Report received from Agency, June 15, 2021. Referred on June 29, 2021.
Relating to age waivers for general educational development tests.
hist137542No action taken by committee on Education on June 29, 2021. Referred on June 30, 2021.
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Executive Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
Madison
June 30, 2021
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bill, originating in the Assembly, has been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2021 Act has been published: Act Number Bill Number Publication Date
hist137673Wisconsin Act 57 Assembly Bill 374 July 1, 2021 _____________
Governor’s Veto Message
June 29, 2021
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bill, originating in the Assembly, has been vetoed in its entirety, and was returned to its house of origin, together with the objections in writing:
Bill Number Date of Veto
hist137568Assembly Bill 336 June 29, 2021 I am vetoing Assembly Bill 336 in its entirety.
This bill would require the Department of Workforce Development to terminate participation in federal unemployment insurance programs that provide supplemental benefits in addition to regular unemployment insurance benefits, including: pandemic unemployment assistance, pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, federal pandemic unemployment compensation, and mixed earner unemployment compensation. This bill would also prohibit the department from waiving work search requirements for any reason related to COVID-19, the COVID-19 pandemic, or a public emergency related to COVID-19.
I am vetoing this bill for two reasons. First, I object to the interference and encroachment by the Legislature on the executive branch's constitutional and statutory authority to administer programs and policies, in this case, the unemployment insurance program.
Second, I am vetoing the bill because it would eliminate economic assistance for individuals whose employers or occupations have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. There is a lack of evidence to support the notion that eliminating supplemental unemployment insurance benefits would bring more individuals into the workforce. Many of the most hard-hit areas are located in both rural parts of the state that had slower pre-pandemic job growth as well as urban areas with job sectors such as hospitality or tourism that had to adapt to profound changes in business operations. Eliminating this lifeline for many Wisconsinites will cause continued economic hardships for those impacted the most by the pandemic and create additional hurdles for individuals to return to family-sustaining jobs. As a result, the entire state economy likely would be negatively affected. The Legislature needs to confront issues surrounding childcare, wages, and workplace COVID-19 safety for those returning to the workforce. Eliminating the supplemental federal benefits while simultaneously failing to address systemic problems faced by individuals remaining in and returning to the workforce is irresponsible.
Finally, with the enhanced benefits still in place, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate is higher than the national rate and the state’s unemployment rate has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels—3.9 percent—which is nearly two full points lower than the national average and among the best in the country. Wisconsinites are hard-working people, and these numbers demonstrate as much. I am opposed to changes that would have such a profound effect on our neighbors who are struggling the most.
Sincerely,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
_____________
June 30, 2021
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bill, originating in the Assembly, has been vetoed in its entirety, and was returned to its house of origin, together with the objections in writing:
Bill Number Date of Veto
hist137647Assembly Bill 173 June 30, 2021 I am vetoing Assembly Bill 173 in its entirety.
This bill would generally prohibit any county or municipality from applying for or accepting any non-governmental grants or donations for election administration. The bill would allow the Wisconsin Elections Commission to accept a private donation or grant intended for municipalities unless the grant stipulates specific purposes for use or contains a requirement to repay for any reason. The commission would have to distribute the funding to each municipality on a per capita basis to offset the municipality's election administration expenses, with all receiving at least $25, and only with the approval of the Joint Committee on Finance. Finally, the bill would create new requirements for serving as an election tabulator and new restrictions regarding who can serve as a poll worker.
I am vetoing this bill because I object to restrictions on local governments potentially using supplemental funding for election administration. During the coronavirus pandemic, our state and local election officials performed admirably to ensure the 2020 elections in each of our communities were conducted freely, fairly, and in accordance with our election laws. Counties, towns, villages, and cities across the state—both big and small, urban and rural—received non-governmental grants, which helped them conduct safe elections under extraordinary circumstances. In accordance with election laws, these resources were used to pay poll workers and purchase personal protective equipment and supplies, thereby keeping our elections safe for poll workers and voters alike.
Regardless of the source of additional funding for election administration, election administrators must always run elections according to state and federal law. Our election laws are robust and lay out clear procedures for how municipal and county officials must administer an election, a process that is not threatened by a municipality applying for and accepting additional resources. By generally prohibiting donations or grants, this bill unnecessarily restricts the use of resources that may be needed to ensure elections are administered effectively. Finally, the acceptance and expenditure of a grant would also be governed by statutory provisions that dictate how amendments to municipal budgets must be noticed and approved, thereby ensuring transparency for interested parties.
Sincerely,
TONY EVERS
Governor of Wisconsin
_____________
Communications
June 29, 2021
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist137505Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 405, relating to special observance days in schools. hist137506Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 412, relating to creating a foster parents' bill of rights. hist137507Please add my name as a co-author of Assembly Bill 420, relating to payments to an independent charter school authorized by a tribal college. Sincerely,
CHUCK WICHGERS
State Representative
83rd Assembly District
_____________
Agency Reports
Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 13.172 (2) and (3), following is a list of agency reports received from executive branch and legislative service agencies for the month of June, 2021. Wisconsin Ethics Commission
Updated list of authorized lobbyists
Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 13.685 (7)
Received on June 1, 2021
