Being effective on behalf of the minority

Due to the current partisan structure of our state government, advancing legislation authored by a member of the minority party is difficult. Oftentimes, good bills drafted by members of the minority party never see the light of day simply because they are authored by someone from the wrong party. I have always tried rise above this, and I continually ask my colleagues to look at the issue or idea and not at the author.

I am pleased to report that recently, even as a member of the minority party, I have had some success in advancing a number of proposals through the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The three bills focus on job-creation efforts and cost-saving measures for our state.

The first bill is Senate Bill (SB) 268. This is legislation that I drafted that will help an area constituent open a small business in Manitowoc County that will involve the processing of scrap meats and oils from restaurants and grocery stores. The bill makes common-sense changes to current regulations by recognizing the differences between traditional rendering and the specific process that will be used at this new business.

Passage of SB 268 could lead to the creation of 30 new jobs in our area and I am pleased that the bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in the state Senate.

The second “jobs”-related bill is SB 57. This bill will make a technical change to the composition of the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority (WAA) Board, thereby improving its functionality and enhancing the WAA’s future ability to attract more aerospace-related businesses and jobs to Wisconsin. I am pleased to report that this bill received strong bipartisan approval in both houses of the Legislature and was recently signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The third bill is focused on saving taxpayer money. SB 96 will expand the Community Integration Program (CIP) and allow individuals to receive Medicaid support for their long-term care needs in their home or at an assisted living facility instead of a higher-cost nursing home. This bill provides better care to the individual and it saves our state money. Funding nursing home care costs taxpayers about $123/day, while care through the CIP program is much less costly, at about $77/day.

SB 96 received a unanimous bipartisan vote in the state Senate and is now being considered by the state Assembly. Along with SB 268, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get these bills approved and signed into law.

While not major in the grand scheme of things, I am appreciative of the support these proposals have received. Partisan politics should not bottle up common-sense legislative initiatives that create jobs, save money, improve health care or enhance government efficiency. As the 2009-10 legislative session winds toward its conclusion this spring, I will continue to provide leadership on common-sense issues like these.

As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling (888) 295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@ legis.wi.gov. You can also logon to the 9th Senate District online office at www.leibhamsenate.com.

It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the state Senate.