Rep. Robyn Vining Votes with Constituents Against Harmful Policies

MADISON – The Wisconsin State Assembly was in session today to take up a number of bills, including a Republican bill to address shared revenue–a bill that contained harmful provisions aimed at Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. In response to this vote, Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement:

“Like communities across the state, my local governments have been asked to do more with less while shared revenue has remained stagnant. Local municipalities have been forced to cut or consolidate services, and after decades of legislative inaction, they desperately need a lifeline to continue funding services that my constituents rely on. The bill we voted on today goes far beyond fixing how local governments are funded–it contains destructive policies, and that is something I cannot support.

“In a bill that should provide our local governments the resources they need to salt the roads, rescue children from burning buildings, and protect people from violence, Republicans prioritized adding harmful and hateful policy to secure support from their own members instead of working with legislative Democrats to craft a bill I can support. Prohibiting the use of local tax dollars to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prohibiting the use of advisory referendums (allowing the people their voice), and strangling local control are all issues my constituents asked me to oppose, and I listened.

“I have fought for a clean bill every step of the way, because that is what my constituents deserve. I authored a clean amendment last time we heard this bill in the Assembly, and today I authored another clean amendment that would remove the unnecessary policy items attacking the city and county of Milwaukee, while allowing the Milwaukee Common Council and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors to approve an increased sales tax with a simple majority vote, rather than ⅔–which we know is of great concern locally right now. These amendments reflect what the bill should be about–simply funding all our local governments without singling out and punishing the people of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, and adding hateful additions to our state statutes.

“Today should have been a day we provided good news on shared revenue to the people of Wisconsin, however instead this day was tarnished by attacks on the very people all of us–Republicans and Democrats–have sworn to serve. Forward, together.”

Rep. Vining represents the 14th Assembly District, which includes parts of Wauwatosa and West Allis. For more information, visit Rep. Vining’s website here. 

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.