Representative Hesselbein Prevented from Attending Committee Hearing Remotely

MADISON – Today, the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage hosted a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues. Representative Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi), chair of the Assembly Committee, prevented virtual or telephone participation during the hearing. Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) along with other members of the committee requested a virtual option for those who still wished to participate in the hearing but had concerns about health and safety.

“My ranking member colleague made the request to Rep. Pronschinske’s office as soon as the hearing was scheduled. Those reasonable requests were immediately denied,” said Hesselbein. “I asked Rep. Pronschinske to reconsider since stakeholders were wanting to participate remotely in the hearing, but he chose not to offer accommodations to members and the public.”

During the hearing Assembly and Senate Republicans were present and speaking without masks. Senators were allowed to call into the meeting and some members took advantage of the accommodation the Senate allowed, but no such accommodations were given to the Assembly members.

“Unfortunately, I had to watch the entire hearing on Wisconsin Eye,” said Hesselbein. “I wasn’t able to ask questions and there were members of the public that were unable to attend due to safety concerns. This is completely unacceptable, especially when there was no requirement that people wear masks. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Many workplaces and businesses have gone to great lengths to comply with CDC guidelines for their employees and customers. That fact that Republican representatives think health guidelines don’t apply to them is dangerous.”

Representative Hesselbein offered for constituents and stakeholders to send testimony to her office if they were not able to participate in the Informational Hearing.