Introduction, First Reading, and Reference of Proposals
Read first time and referred:
Relating to: felony theft of property and providing a penalty.
By Senator Jacque; cosponsored by Representatives Brandtjen, Wichgers, Murphy and Knodl.
hist149933To the committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. Relating to: notifications to local elections officials and the elections commission regarding certain prospective jurors.
By Senator Wimberger; cosponsored by Representatives Sortwell, Knodl, Armstrong, Brooks, Behnke, Cabral-Guevara, Krug, Murphy, Rozar, Tittl and Wichgers.
hist149934To the committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics. Relating to: whistleblower protection for municipal clerks who witness and report election fraud or irregularities.
By Senators Bernier, Darling, Jacque and Wanggaard; cosponsored by Representatives Petersen, Armstrong, Behnke, Brooks, Edming, Kitchens, Krug, Magnafici and Rozar.
hist149936To the committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics. _____________
Petitions and Communications
hist149920Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Representative Novak added as a cosponsor of Senate Bill 793. hist149943Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Representative Dittrich added as a cosponsor of Senate Bill 841. hist149897Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Ballweg added as a coauthor of Senate Bill 938. hist149843Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Ballweg added as a coauthor of Senate Bill 941. hist149842Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Ballweg added as a coauthor of Senate Bill 943. hist149952Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Jacque added as a coauthor of Senate Joint Resolution 101. _____________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
February 7, 2022
The Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
Sincerely,
TONY EVERS
Governor
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2021 Act(s) have been published: Act Number Bill Number Publication Date
_____________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
February 4, 2022
The Honorable, the Senate:
hist149871I am vetoing Senate Bill 332 in its entirety. This bill would expand the starting and ending times in a day a minor under age 16 is allowed to work for employers not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards act.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to creating two separate systems of work requirements for employers, which would increase the amount of administrative work for businesses when determining the permissible hours and days they are allowed to employ minors. By creating two legal frameworks on this topic, one for employers subject to the Federal Labor Standards Act and a different one for those that are not, the bill will increase complexity for employers, and could result in unintended consequences.
At a time when our state has the lowest unemployment rate in Wisconsin state history at 2.8 percent and the fewest number of people unemployed in our state ever, we must find meaningful, sustainable, and long-term solutions to the workforce challenges that have long plagued our state. For example, I allocated $130 million in innovative, community-based solutions to address Wisconsin’s longstanding workforce challenges. This includes $100 million for a Workforce Innovation Grant program to encourage regions and communities to develop leading-edge, long-term solutions to the workforce challenges the state faces in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic; $20 million toward the Worker Advancement Initiative, which will offer subsidized employment and skills training opportunities with local employers to unemployed individuals; and $10 million for a Worker Connection Program which will provide workforce career coaches who will connect with individuals attempting to reengage in the workforce post-pandemic.
I also recently proposed putting some of our state’s unprecedented projected revenue surplus toward reducing barriers to employment by decreasing the costs for childcare and caregiving. My plan expanded the newly created Child and Dependent Care Credit from 50 percent of the federal credit to 100 percent, providing nearly $30 million in tax relief to the 107,000 Wisconsinites who claim the credit. I also proposed providing more than $100 million to create a new income tax credit for qualified expenses incurred by a family caregiver.
By injecting funding into innovative solutions and providing economic relief to those struggling with the cost of childcare and caregiving, we can truly begin to address our workforce challenges, support working families, and get more people back into the workforce. This bill does not further those goals, and I hope the Legislature will join me in addressing this issue with real, meaningful solutions.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
Legislative Reference Bureau Corrections
Corrections In:
2021 SENATE BILL 520
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(February 7, 2022)
22.
Page 2, line 1: after “purpose.” Insert “The state may contact additional public debt in an amount up to $4,000,000 for this purpose.”. 2021 SENATE BILL 836
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(February 7, 2022)
hist1499211. Page 3, line 11: delete “(3)” and substitute “(4)”. _____________
Referrals and Receipt of Committee Reports Concerning Proposed Administrative Rules
The committee on Education reported and recommended:
Relating to educator preparation program and licensing flexibilities.