Bills to Watch: Collective Bargaining, PFAS Programs

LRB-4911

Collective bargaining for public employees

This bill would restore the ability for public employees to collectively bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions. In a memo accompanying the bill proposal, Sen. Chris Larson said Wisconsin’s public sector has experienced lower wages and fewer qualified applicants in recent years. The bill is circulating for co-sponsorship until Feb. 8.

AB-842, AB-843

PFAS programs

This bill directs more than $6 million toward addressing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including research, testing and new positions in the Department of Health Services. PFAS has been detected in municipal waters in Dane County and northeast Wisconsin. The contaminant is toxic to human health. These bills are currently in the Committee on Environment.