The State Senate and Assembly are adjourned for this legislative session. The Senate finished its floor period yesterday afternoon and the Assembly finished at about 4:00 a.m. this morning. However, remember that the governor could call the legislature back, or the legislature could reconvene itself, to address a specific bill or issue they did not pass during the regular session.
The good news is that much of the legislation harmful to marriage, family, life and liberty did not get passed and you can take the credit for that. You called your legislators, you sent emails and letters, you alerted your church, your family and friends. Because you put the pressure on your elected officials, a Democratic majority in both houses and a Democratic governor failed to pass and sign every bill on their agenda when they had the power and the votes to do so!
Legislative Update
• AB 895/SB 640: The Vote Fraud bill that would drastically, and negatively, change Wisconsin's election laws did not pass. The bill didn't even make it onto the Assembly agenda because the majority party could not get the votes to pass it in one, let alone both houses.
• AB 649: The global warming bill did not pass. The Democratic majority in the Assembly could not obtain enough votes to pass the bill, which was Governor Doyle’s pet project for this legislative session.
• SB 295: The minor performers bill did not pass. The bill did not even make it out of committee, thanks to your efforts!
• SB 460: The Expedited Partner Therapy bill was passed yesterday. The bill is now ready for the governor to sign.
• SJR 62: The Health Care Freedom Amendment never made it out of committee. In fact,the amendment never even received a public hearing.
• SR 11: the resolution authorizing the attorney general to file or join a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health care reform bill signed into law by President Obama never made it out of committee. This week the Senate defeated an effort to pull the resolution out of committee and take a floor vote on it.
• AB 751/SB 549: The National Popular Vote bill is dead. Thanks to your efforts, the bill never made it out of committee, despite the fact that the bill's authors had intended to ramrod the bill through the legislature.
• SB 319/AB 453: The Statute of Limitations on Childhood Sexual Abuse bill never made it to the floor of either house.
• SB 115/AB 440: The dietary licensing bill, that would have significantly reduced access to health care alternatives, never made it to the floor of either house.
Given the power the Democratic Party has, with a majority in both houses and the governor's office, it is absolutely astounding that they did not do more damage in the last few weeks of the legislative session. That's because you put the pressure on them! Remember, November is coming. The majority party in particular is looking down the road, listening to constituents, and deciding whether or not some of these bills and votes were worth it. We cannot afford to forget what happened and how our elected officials voted this session when we go to the polls in November.
In the meantime, however, we can rejoice in the victories we did have this session, and thank the Lord for blessing the efforts of faithful people, like you, who kept the pressure on their elected officials.
For Families,
Julaine Appling, President Wisconsin Family Action
www.wifamilyaction.org
866-849-2536