CAPITOL CONNECTION: Let the people be heard
Over the last month, two key legislators have announced that they will each use their individual position and power to deny the citizens of Wisconsin an opportunity to share their input on two important matters. Specifically, the two state senators who serve as committee chairs will not schedule public hearings on two bills that are making their way through the legislative process.
This is unfortunate and frustrating. A key part of the legislative process is listening to the public. All sorts of ideas for law changes are introduced, and it is our job as legislators to present these ideas to the general public so input can be shared. Following this public input, we are elected to vote and decide whether these ideas should become law. Denying the public a chance to be heard is an insult to our lawmaking process.
The first announcement came from state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Health Insurance. Erpenbach has said that he will not allow a public hearing to be held on Senate Joint Resolution 62, the Health Care Freedom Amendment (HCFA).
The HCFA, which I co-authored, proposes to allow the citizens of Wisconsin to decide if they want to amend our state constitution to establish the right of an individual to make their own health care and health insurance purchasing decisions. This resolution is timely considering recent action by our federal government to approve legislation that will impose new federal government mandates effective in 2014 that will require all citizens to purchase a certain level of health insurance or face financial penalties from our government.
This new law will change the way in which free citizens make decisions regarding their personal health care needs and will diminish individual responsibility. Erpenbach said that he does not think it is a good use of his time to allow a public hearing on the HCFA.
The second announcement came from state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee. Taylor is the chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Corrections. Taylor’s office has indicated that the senator is not interested in allowing a hearing on Assembly Bill (AB) 413.
AB 413, which I have co-sponsored, would allow a judge to impose a five-year imprisonment penalty enhancer if a licensed day-care provider commits a sexual assault against or intentionally or recklessly causes bodily harm to a child for whom the person provides day care. This proposal was requested by a local family who believes their child was abused by a licensed day-care provider.
AB 413 was passed by the state Assembly, but now Taylor does not believe this sensitive issue is worthy of a public hearing or further legislative consideration.
When a committee chair denies a public hearing, they are basically stopping the legislative process on a proposal, thus killing the bill.
As a legislator and a citizen, I am embarrassed and frustrated that the public is not being allowed to be heard on these two important and timely issues. What are Sen. Erpenbach and Sen. Taylor afraid of? Let the public be heard – then decide if the proposals have merit, deserve a vote and should or shouldn’t become law. Isn’t this the way the representational lawmaking process is supposed to work?
I will continue to push for hearings on these proposals but undoubtedly face an uphill climb against the current legislative leadership that is choosing not to listen.
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 log on 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.
