Speakeasy Conversations No. 2
January 15, 2025 - 20:25
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As I write this the President elected in November has not yet been inaugurated and the candidates for the spring elections are already known! There are a couple of critical state-wide contests and a few “regional” elections in the judicial arena at the District Appeals Court or County Circuit Court level. Additionally, there will be elections for local municipal offices and School District Boards of Education. They are all important!
All members of the Senate and Assembly took the oath of office at Monday's Inauguration in the state Capitol. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley. It was a privilege to have her and I am honored to have earned the support and confidence of my colleagues to once again be voted in as the Assembly Speaker.
My inaugural speech focused on my hope that both parties could work together without sacrificing our principles to find common ground solutions for the most challenging problems facing Wisconsin.
“Our Nation cannot continue down the path of abortion, so radically at odds with our history, our heritage, and our concepts of justice. This sacred legacy, and the well-being and the future of our country, demand that protection of the innocents must be guaranteed and that the personhood of the unborn be declared and defended throughout our land.”
– President Ronald Reagan, National Sanctity of Human Life Day Proclamation, 1988
The new legislative session officially began on Monday, January 6 with the inauguration of our new members of the legislature. As the activity in the Capitol ramps up, I wanted to give you a preview of what this session may hold.
I am running for Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2025 spring election. I have championed high standards for students and families throughout my career as an education leader. I have taught both science and special education in public schools. When I was an innovative principal at a public school serving low-income communities, then-State Superintendent Tony Evers honored me with the “Beating the Odds” award. I have held leadership positions in both local and national education organizations.
Activity ramped up at the state Capitol this week as members of the 107th session of the Wisconsin State Legislature were sworn into office.
Now entering my third term as a state senator, it is an absolute honor and privilege that you, the voters of the 24th Senate District, continue to put your trust in me to advocate for your priorities down in Madison.
I am anticipating a productive session where my colleagues and I will advance legislation that benefits all residents of the state.
I recently released the following statement on retaining positions on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for the 119th Congress:
My number one priority in Congress is delivering results for the people of Wisconsin’s Third District. Whether it be responding to your legislative questions, assisting with a federal agency inquiry, or securing Community Project Funding (CPF), I’m always working to best serve you. As we head into a new year and start the 119th Congress, I wanted to take a moment to share the casework accomplished for the Third District in the 118th Congress.
According to allegations shared with Kenosha County Eye, a 16-year-old boy has been using the girls’ locker room to change at Westosha Central High School. Parents said the boy stares at the young girls while they change and has repeatedly exposed himself in front of them. When the girls approached their gym teacher, she said that the boy “identifies” as a girl and they should stop “stirring up drama.” The students were prohibited from using the family locker room to change and were then penalized for showing up to gym class without proper attire.
