MADISON - It certainly was a busy week last week around the Capitol. With the Legislature likely taking up only the budget bill in June, the leadership teams in both houses are holding a number of floor voting sessions now, to get last-minute legislation passed, before we break in July. Although there will be committee hearings and constituent meetings still going on in July and August, the Legislature will not be back "in session" until the middle of September.
I serve on the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and one of the bills we took up this week was Assembly Bill 96 (AB 96), which allows the governor to appoint the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
Currently, the secretary is appointed by the Board of Veterans Affairs which is comprised of seven members who are appointed by the governor and serve six-year terms.
Interestingly, for many years conservation groups across the state have been trying to accomplish the opposite by advocating for legislation that transfers the appointment power for the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources from the governor and gives it to the Natural Resources Board. Essentially, they argue we need to remove the politics and special interests from the management of our natural resources.
Similarly, there is a wide-spread belief that veterans and veterans' services are a non-partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans alike both have tremendous respect and support for those who have given their lives to defend our country, which is why opponents of this bill argue that the power to appoint the secretary should remain with the Board of Veterans Affairs. By allowing the governor to appoint the secretary, we are politicizing the DVA. The secretary will be reporting directly to and receiving instructions directly from the governor and not the Board.
During the public hearing on this legislation, it was clear there was no general consensus. There were veterans opposed to the bill and veterans in favor of it. There has been discussion that AB 96 has moved through the process too quickly - being introduced and passed out of committee in less than a month. Some argue this was not enough time to seek input from veterans throughout the state. If we are going to make a significant change in the direction and future of the DVA - I do not feel comfortable approving legislation with such divisive provisions.
The full Assembly will be voting on this bill in the near future, and I'd like to hear from you on this issue. I encourage you to contact my office with your views. If you want to read more about Assembly Bill 96, simply visit the Wisconsin State Legislature's website at www.legis.wi.gov. On the left side of the page, under "Request text and history of legislative proposals," enter "96" under "Proposal Number." I look forward to hearing from you.
As always, please feel free to contact my office regarding this or any other state legislative matter. I can be reached toll-free at (888) 534-0080 or by e-mail at Rep.Ringhand@legis.wi.gov.
- Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, represents the 80th Assembly district.
I serve on the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and one of the bills we took up this week was Assembly Bill 96 (AB 96), which allows the governor to appoint the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
Currently, the secretary is appointed by the Board of Veterans Affairs which is comprised of seven members who are appointed by the governor and serve six-year terms.
Interestingly, for many years conservation groups across the state have been trying to accomplish the opposite by advocating for legislation that transfers the appointment power for the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources from the governor and gives it to the Natural Resources Board. Essentially, they argue we need to remove the politics and special interests from the management of our natural resources.
Similarly, there is a wide-spread belief that veterans and veterans' services are a non-partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans alike both have tremendous respect and support for those who have given their lives to defend our country, which is why opponents of this bill argue that the power to appoint the secretary should remain with the Board of Veterans Affairs. By allowing the governor to appoint the secretary, we are politicizing the DVA. The secretary will be reporting directly to and receiving instructions directly from the governor and not the Board.
During the public hearing on this legislation, it was clear there was no general consensus. There were veterans opposed to the bill and veterans in favor of it. There has been discussion that AB 96 has moved through the process too quickly - being introduced and passed out of committee in less than a month. Some argue this was not enough time to seek input from veterans throughout the state. If we are going to make a significant change in the direction and future of the DVA - I do not feel comfortable approving legislation with such divisive provisions.
The full Assembly will be voting on this bill in the near future, and I'd like to hear from you on this issue. I encourage you to contact my office with your views. If you want to read more about Assembly Bill 96, simply visit the Wisconsin State Legislature's website at www.legis.wi.gov. On the left side of the page, under "Request text and history of legislative proposals," enter "96" under "Proposal Number." I look forward to hearing from you.
As always, please feel free to contact my office regarding this or any other state legislative matter. I can be reached toll-free at (888) 534-0080 or by e-mail at Rep.Ringhand@legis.wi.gov.
- Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, represents the 80th Assembly district.
