As a legislator, I'm often asked about the story behind a piece of legislation I'm working on. Often, voters are surprised to hear that most bill ideas typically begin in the community. Local officials, business owners or maybe even your neighbor could have played a role in the writing and passage of a bill.
I'm lucky to work with local officials who are consistently looking for ways to improve their communities. When Darlington Police Chief Jason King was unable to resolve an issue with the state Department of Transportation, he contacted my office. Working together, we were able to pass legislation allowing for local decision making with regards to the usage of state highways to access ATV trails.
Frustrated with an inability to prosecute certain individuals who purchase in excess of the legal limit of pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in methamphetamine, Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen identified a loophole to be closed in current law to better equip law enforcement. I am hopeful this bill will receive a hearing in the coming weeks.
Sometimes, opportunities for reform are inadvertently discovered by members of the community. Small-business owners Curtis and Vickie Eberle, owners of the Mixing Bowl Bakery in Sauk City, were notified by the state that they were in violation of child labor laws by asking their children to lend a hand helping customers and washing tables. When I brought legislation forward to remedy this issue, almost every legislator on the committee admitted that they too likely were in violation of these laws when they were young.
I have spent significant time this fall attending hearings and working on legislation as part of the Speaker's Task Force on Foster Care. These hearings presented a variety of testimony from experts, local officials and community members involved in the foster care system. The diverse testimony at these hearings has led to a package of bills that I believe will do great things for Wisconsin's foster care system, including my bill to provide free college tuition for foster youth.
No matter your profession or background, I encourage you to contact my office if you notice an issue that can be fixed by your state government.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents Wisconsin's 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608-266-7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov.
I'm lucky to work with local officials who are consistently looking for ways to improve their communities. When Darlington Police Chief Jason King was unable to resolve an issue with the state Department of Transportation, he contacted my office. Working together, we were able to pass legislation allowing for local decision making with regards to the usage of state highways to access ATV trails.
Frustrated with an inability to prosecute certain individuals who purchase in excess of the legal limit of pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in methamphetamine, Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen identified a loophole to be closed in current law to better equip law enforcement. I am hopeful this bill will receive a hearing in the coming weeks.
Sometimes, opportunities for reform are inadvertently discovered by members of the community. Small-business owners Curtis and Vickie Eberle, owners of the Mixing Bowl Bakery in Sauk City, were notified by the state that they were in violation of child labor laws by asking their children to lend a hand helping customers and washing tables. When I brought legislation forward to remedy this issue, almost every legislator on the committee admitted that they too likely were in violation of these laws when they were young.
I have spent significant time this fall attending hearings and working on legislation as part of the Speaker's Task Force on Foster Care. These hearings presented a variety of testimony from experts, local officials and community members involved in the foster care system. The diverse testimony at these hearings has led to a package of bills that I believe will do great things for Wisconsin's foster care system, including my bill to provide free college tuition for foster youth.
No matter your profession or background, I encourage you to contact my office if you notice an issue that can be fixed by your state government.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents Wisconsin's 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608-266-7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov.
