Reps in the News: Kitchens’ Water Access, School Choice Requirements Pass Senate

Representative Joel Kitchens

Rep. Kitchens released the following statement after the passage of AB 226 and 383, both authored by him:  “I was happy to see that both of the bills that I authored passed with bipartisan support today on the floor of the Assembly. Both these bills will provide relief and support to families in Wisconsin.

“Assembly Bill 226, otherwise known as the ‘Clean Water Access Bill,’ is a crucial piece of legislation that will provide relief and access to clean water, a basic right most of us take for granted. This bill will put in place a process to allow families with failing wells or water treatment systems to get loans to repair or replace their wells and treatment systems so they can once again have clean, safe drinking water in their homes. This loan would be paid back as a special charge assessment on their property tax bill.

“I would like to thank Senator Rob Cowles (R- Green Bay) and his staff for their partnership and dedication on this issue. I would also like to recognize the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters for their support and enthusiasm for this bill. With the passage of this crucial bill in the Assembly, I strongly encourage the Senate to take up this bill so we can begin to address clean water access issues throughout Wisconsin.

“Assembly Bill 383, a bipartisan authored bill, supported by both the Department of Public Instruction and School Choice Wisconsin, makes common sense changes to the laws affecting Wisconsin’s parental choice programs. Included in this bill are provisions that strengthen accountability and transparency, all a benefit to our state’s children.

“Last week, the companion bill to AB 383, SB 293, passed out of the Senate with broad bipartisan support. I want to thank my co-author in the Assembly, Rep. Jason Fields (D- Glendale) and our Senate authors, Senators Luther Olsen (R- Ripon) and Lena Taylor (D- Milwaukee) for their work on this legislation. I look forward to having this bill delivered to and signed by the Governor in the near future.”

Source:  Kitchens press release

Congressman Mike Gallagher

Rep. Gallagher is fighting for the Great Lakes as an original co-sponsor of the Stop the Asian Carp Now bill to address the spread of Asian carp in the Great Lakes. Asian carp – an invasive species – pose a serious economic and environmental threat to the Great Lakes region. This bipartisan piece of legislation requires the Trump Administration to release the taxpayer funded report – the Brandon Road Study – that outlines a roadmap to preventing the further spread of Asian carp. The report was supposed to be released earlier this year for public review, but was instead withheld.

In response to the bill, Gallagher said, “We cannot delay a solution to the growing problem of Asian carp that’s threatening the health of our waters and economy in North Wisconsin – just last week it was discovered that the invasive species was found only nine miles from Lake Michigan. The time for action is now which is why I am urging the Administration to release the Brandon Road Study. Lake Michigan is one of Northeast Wisconsin’s most treasured assets and we must do everything we can to protect it and all of the great lakes in the region.”

Source:  Gallagher press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Sen. Baldwin released the following statement on the Senate Republicans’ health care repeal plan:

“This issue is very personal to me because when I was young, I had a childhood illness and was branded as a child with a pre-existing condition. This is also very personal to the people of Wisconsin, and tonight families will lay awake wondering if the health care they have today will be there tomorrow.

“For Wisconsin families struggling to get ahead, this repeal plan has no heart and people are scared that it will make things worse. It will make families pay more for less care and increase the number of people who are uninsured. The guaranteed protections and care that you have today are weakened and now, politicians in Madison will decide whether you keep the care you have, or whether it is taken away.

“If you are older, you could pay an age tax. If you have a pre-existing condition or struggle with a sickness, you could be thrown into a high-cost pool that prices your family out of your health insurance. This repeal plan cuts and caps Medicaid, putting care at risk for everyone who depends on it – from a loved one who depends on Medicaid for nursing home care to a disabled child who relies on Medicaid funding at school.

“The people of Wisconsin did not send me to Washington to take people’s health care away. I am going to fight to protect the health care people have today and I will continue my work to make it more affordable, not more costly.”

Source:  Baldwin press release 

Senator Ron Johnson

Sen. Johnson continues to have reservations about the Senate Republican health care bill. He said the design of the current proposal is “devoid of information.”

“I see what leadership is trying to do, they want to jam this thing through,” Johnson said. Johnson is one of five Republican senators who has publicly said he would not support the bill in its current form.

Johnson argued the House and Senate bills failed to address the concerns of the “forgotten man,” specifically by lowering premiums and making health care affordable again. Johnson called the bill a “wimpy reform” and “so far from a repeal.”

Source:  Washington Examiner

President Donald Trump

President Trump continued to criticize former President Barack Obama for his response to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election – blasting his predecessor in a series of tweets, then demanding an “apology.”

“The reason that President Obama did NOTHING about Russia after being notified by the CIA of meddling is that he expected Clinton would win … and did not want to ‘rock the boat.’ He didn’t ‘choke,’ he colluded or obstructed, and it did the Dems and Crooked Hillary no good,” Trump wrote.

It was unclear who Trump was demanding an apology from or who he was accusing Obama of colluding with.

Source:  CNN.com