Here is a great opportunity to ask our current representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Joan Ballweg, about her support for issues that concern us.
Rep, Ballweg, a Reuplican, has represented the 41st District, which covers portions of Adams, Green Lake, Marquette, Fond du Lac, and Sauk Counties counties, since 2004.
On Tuesday, March 31, she is hosting Facebook Live e-listening sessions, The first session starts at 10 a.m., and is slated to run until 11 a.m. The second, also on Tuesday, is scheduled to run from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m.
To participate via Facebook Live, visit www.facebook.com/WIRep-Ballweg, or click here.
If you can’t participate in either of the lessons, you can still submit questions to her via a form on her website: www.legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/41/ballweg/e-listening-session-question-submission-form/ or by clicking on the “E-Listening Session Questions submission Form.”
Still a third way to submit a question is by clicking here.
State Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) has decided not to seek reelection this fall to the 14th Senate District. Assemblywoman Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) in a coordinated move, will be here party’s choice to replace Olsen. Ballweg, like Olsen, a long-time fixture within the GOP, currently represents the 41st Assembly District. Had he stayed in the race, Olsen would have faced either Nate Zimdars or Joni Anderson in the fall. Zimdars and Olsen will compete in a primary election in August.
As referenced in a previous post about the Wisconsin GOP-led deal with Foxconn and the massive tax breaks given to the foreign technology company, Bloomberg Business Week issued an in-depth report that suggests that all is not well with the project, despite President Trump’s intervention.
To develop its report, Bloomberg interviewed dozens of people familiar with the project. Its conclusion, “A huge tax break was supposed to create a manufacturing paradise, but interviews with 49 people familiar with the project depict a chaotic operation unlikely to ever employ 13,000 workers.”
Or, if you prefer, you can hear author Austin Carr read the article by clicking on the image upper right.
Thanks to Ken Knight for alerting us to this.
Also note that our Republican representatives in the state legislature, Senator Luther Olsen and Representative Joan Ballweg, have consistently supported the project.
The vote in the Wisconsin State Assembly was approved by a 56-27 vote on Dec. 5, 2018 in what the media refers to as a lame-duck session called specifically to accomplish the items spelled out below:
Prohibits the Attorney General from appointing a solicitor general and additional 3 deputy solicitor generals in order to eliminate the Office of the Solicitor General which represents the state in certain cases on appeal in the state and federal courts (Sec. 2).
Amends current law to require a party that alleges a statute ordinance is unconstitutional to serve their findings to the Speaker of the Assembly, the President of the Senate, and the Senate Majority Leader in place of the State Attorney General (Sec. 3).
Authorizes the Assembly, Senate or Joint Committee on Legislative Organization to intervene and participate in any action where another party is challenging the constitutionality of a proposed statute (Sec. 3).
Amends current law to authorize the Joint Committee on Finance power to compromise or discontinue an action the Department of Justice is prosecuting in place of the Attorney General at the request of the Governor (Sec. 4).
Specifies that an individual nominated by the Governor or another state officer or agency may not hold the office or position or be nominated again for the same office or perform any duties of the office or position during the legislative session unless the individuals confirmation is confirmed by the Senate (Sec. 6).
Requires the Department of Administration submit any proposed changes to security at the capital regarding firearm restrictions to the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization for approval (Sec. 7).
Increases the size of the Group Insurance Board by 4 members and requires the new members be appointed by the speaker of the Assembly, the Assembly minority leader, the Senate majority leader, and the senate minority leader (Sec. 11).
Specifies that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation consists of 12 voting members as follows, including, but not limited to (Sec. 14):
4 members appointed by the Governor;
3 members appointed by the Senate majority leader and 3 members appointed by the speaker of the Assembly; and
1 member appointed by the Senate minority leader and 1 member appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
Authorizes an unexpired identification card card issued by an accredited university or college in this state may be used as identification for voting purposes if it contains and the following information and requirements, including, but not limited to (Sec. 27):
Contains both a photograph and signature of the individual;
Expires no later than 2 years after the date of issuance;
The individual establishes that he or she is enrolled as a student at the university or college on election day.
VoteSmart, an independent organization tracking the performance of elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, has published a report on Joan Ballweg’s efforts on our behalf in 2018.
Note that VoteSmart also provides contact information that you can use should you want to communicate with her. If you do attempt to reach her, please let us know why you made the contact and her response. Use our Contact Us form to let us know.