I've read some newspaper reports lately that disparage the current Legislature and its ability to get things done.
It's easy to focus on the legislation that did not make it through both houses.
The other side of the story is what we did accomplish - important legislation that passed a split Legislature. Democrats control the Senate, while Republicans control the Assembly.
We passed my fire-safe cigarette bill, which fire chiefs say will do more to save lives and protect property since widespread use of smoke detectors in the 1970s.
We passed Compassionate Care for Rape Victims, which ensures that rape victims will be informed of the availability of emergency contraception in every Wisconsin hospital and will receive comprehensive health care.
Over the past decade in the Legislature, there has been a move by single-focus groups to chip away at a woman's access to contraception. The success of Compassionate Care bucks that trend.
We passed BadgerCare Plus, which makes every child in Wisconsin eligible for health insurance. More farm families, self-employed families, pregnant women and parents qualify, as well. The family's share of the premium is based on income.
Since enrollment opened Feb. 1, 64,000 children and adults have enrolled in BadgerCare Plus - a clear indication of the need that was out there.
From my perspective, these are some examples of the remarkable accomplishments.
As Senate Majority Leader, I brought fundamental health care reform to the forefront of public discussion for the first time in our state's history.
Under my leadership, Senate Democrats developed a health care reform plan we named "Healthy Wisconsin." States across the nation are looking at Healthy Wisconsin as they develop their own reform initiatives.
I made Healthy Wisconsin part of the 2007-09 state budget that passed the Senate. I shepherded it through the budget process, and was a consistent, vocal proponent of it during budget negotiations.
I believe it was Senate Democrats' insistence on health care reform that the Republicans agreed to include Gov. Doyle's BadgerCare Plus in the state budget.
If Senate Democrats hadn't pushed so stongly for Healthy Wisconsin, we wouldn't have BadgerCare Plus today.
Major reform, like Healthy Wisconsin and BadgerCare Plus, never comes easy.
Change is like a snowball rolling down a mountain; it starts out small, and grows bigger as consensus builds and public opinion coalesces.
Make no mistake: The industries that benefit from the status quo will spend a lot of money to stop the momentum.
Despite the current lay of the land, I see a day when the Legislature passes a bill that makes health care affordable for everyone.
I see a day when no parent will have to battle with an insurance company to get treatment for a sick child.
I see a day when everyone will have the same level of health care coverage as their legislators have.
Senate Democrats and I are committed to making that day happen.
I was disappointed that a statewide workplace smoking ban, which will reduce smoking-related diseases, did not receive a vote in either house of the Legislature. Had I been Majority Leader, I would have scheduled it for a vote. I believe it would have passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support.
While we bemoan the failures, let's not forget the successes. Many legislators like me have worked with members of the other party to get bipartisan legislation passed.
We have risen above the fray and worked with each other to pass common-sense legislation.
- Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit), a registered nurse, represents most of Rock County and the Whitewater area in the State Senate.
It's easy to focus on the legislation that did not make it through both houses.
The other side of the story is what we did accomplish - important legislation that passed a split Legislature. Democrats control the Senate, while Republicans control the Assembly.
We passed my fire-safe cigarette bill, which fire chiefs say will do more to save lives and protect property since widespread use of smoke detectors in the 1970s.
We passed Compassionate Care for Rape Victims, which ensures that rape victims will be informed of the availability of emergency contraception in every Wisconsin hospital and will receive comprehensive health care.
Over the past decade in the Legislature, there has been a move by single-focus groups to chip away at a woman's access to contraception. The success of Compassionate Care bucks that trend.
We passed BadgerCare Plus, which makes every child in Wisconsin eligible for health insurance. More farm families, self-employed families, pregnant women and parents qualify, as well. The family's share of the premium is based on income.
Since enrollment opened Feb. 1, 64,000 children and adults have enrolled in BadgerCare Plus - a clear indication of the need that was out there.
From my perspective, these are some examples of the remarkable accomplishments.
As Senate Majority Leader, I brought fundamental health care reform to the forefront of public discussion for the first time in our state's history.
Under my leadership, Senate Democrats developed a health care reform plan we named "Healthy Wisconsin." States across the nation are looking at Healthy Wisconsin as they develop their own reform initiatives.
I made Healthy Wisconsin part of the 2007-09 state budget that passed the Senate. I shepherded it through the budget process, and was a consistent, vocal proponent of it during budget negotiations.
I believe it was Senate Democrats' insistence on health care reform that the Republicans agreed to include Gov. Doyle's BadgerCare Plus in the state budget.
If Senate Democrats hadn't pushed so stongly for Healthy Wisconsin, we wouldn't have BadgerCare Plus today.
Major reform, like Healthy Wisconsin and BadgerCare Plus, never comes easy.
Change is like a snowball rolling down a mountain; it starts out small, and grows bigger as consensus builds and public opinion coalesces.
Make no mistake: The industries that benefit from the status quo will spend a lot of money to stop the momentum.
Despite the current lay of the land, I see a day when the Legislature passes a bill that makes health care affordable for everyone.
I see a day when no parent will have to battle with an insurance company to get treatment for a sick child.
I see a day when everyone will have the same level of health care coverage as their legislators have.
Senate Democrats and I are committed to making that day happen.
I was disappointed that a statewide workplace smoking ban, which will reduce smoking-related diseases, did not receive a vote in either house of the Legislature. Had I been Majority Leader, I would have scheduled it for a vote. I believe it would have passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support.
While we bemoan the failures, let's not forget the successes. Many legislators like me have worked with members of the other party to get bipartisan legislation passed.
We have risen above the fray and worked with each other to pass common-sense legislation.
- Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit), a registered nurse, represents most of Rock County and the Whitewater area in the State Senate.
