http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-s5.jpgNew Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Protecting Public Lands

Senate Democratic Leader urges passage of paid family leave bill.

MADISON, WI – Caring for a newborn or an ailing relative is a stressful time for many families, especially since these situations often force workers to take unpaid leave for weeks or months at a time. While Wisconsin was a trailblazing state in the 1980’s when it became the first to pass a state Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), many are now looking to reform and improve the nearly 30-year-old statute. A new proposal unveiled by Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers dubbed the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act would make numerous changes to ensure Wisconsin’s family protections reflect modern workplace realities.

“One of the biggest frustrations I hear from workers is that we’re the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't guarantee employees paid family leave,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “With more dual income households, it can be difficult for a family to make ends meet if a parent can’t work and has to go unpaid for three months after giving birth or when caring for a close relative. It’s time we bring our state into the 21st century, reward hard work and recognize the importance of building strong, healthy families.”

The effort to reform and improve Wisconsin’s outdated FMLA law has gained momentum in recent years as families and businesses increasingly recognize the importance of workplace flexibility. In a national poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in 2016, 72% of respondents surveyed said they supported paid family leave.

“Right now, we’re losing too many of our young, talented workers to neighboring states,” added Shilling. “If we want to make Wisconsin more competitive, we need to look at innovative ways to reward hard work, expand economic opportunities and help businesses retain talented employees. This bill eliminates administrative barriers for small businesses and ensures that we treat our workplace family like we’d treat our own family.”

The federal FMLA allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for most workers to care for a newborn or a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition. The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act would make Wisconsin workers eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave for personal or family illness, or to care for a new child. It would also expand the definition of eligible family members for whom an employee could take paid leave to include siblings, grandchildren and grandparents. Similar to insurance coverage, it would be supported through payroll contributions from workers and employers.

This proposal is part of a broad effort by Democrats to strengthen the middle class. Additional Democratic bills prioritize access to health care, student loan debt relief and child care affordability.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/internet-rural-s5.jpgThe internet, like the waterways, railways, and highways before it, has become the road to participation in the 21st century economy. Wisconsin ranks last in the Midwest in both rural and urban broadband, and neither the Governor’s proposed budget funding or a bill authored by Sen. Marklein provide rural areas with the investment necessary to make us competitive.

The Federal budget proposed by President Trump would cut funding to preserve and improve our area's fresh water treasure from $300 million to $10 million. Stand up for the lakes with the a plan from the League of Women Voters.

MADISON - Funding for the Great Lakes is cut by 97% in President Trump’s proposed budget, from $300 million to $10 million.  Only $10 million for projects in eight states surrounding all five Great Lakes means that virtually no restoration, protection or research projects will be possible to ensure the future of our natural treasures.

Five members of LWV Lake Michigan Region are traveling to Washington DC to tell Congress that League members support the Great Lakes and that funding is critical. Help get the message across by calling your Representative and Senators on March 14, 15, or 16 and tell them that the Great Lakes are important to you.

Tell them to stand strong for the lakes and support:

• Maintenance of $300 million in Great Lakes funding through the EPA.
• Increases in water infrastructure program funding. We need to replace and improve our wastewater and drinking water systems so that no other community experiences a crisis like our friends in the LWV of Flint, Michigan.
• If your legislator has already pledged to fight for the Great Lakes funding, say thanks!

Any member of Congress may be reached through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. To get their direct phone numbers, use your zip code to look up who represents you.

Our members will be posting about their experiences on Capitol Hill on social media. Follow along at facebook.com/LWVLakeMichigan/ and on twitter at @lakelwv.

Please amplify the messages our members bring to Congress by sharing this request among your networks. And be sure to make those calls yourself!

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/walker-open-for-business-s5.jpgNE WI Senator Dave Hansen teams with SE WI Republican to introduce legislation that would make it a crime to commit fraud in pursuit of taxpayer economic development assistance from WEDC.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veterans-012015-s5.jpgPast decisions to divert funds from the veterans nursing homes to the Veterans Fund and the “banking” of $35 million in revenue reserves has led to the deterioration of facilities and care. Erpenbach wants to reestablish Legislative oversight of all funding.