Senate Dem Leader lays out priorities for 2019-20 session
"My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are committed to working with Gov. Tony Evers and focusing on the important issues at hand."
MADISON, WI – Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) welcomed new and returning members to the legislature today at the inauguration ceremony for the 104th Session of the State Legislature. In her inauguration day remarks, Sen. Shilling laid out her vision for the future and policy goals to strengthen the middle class, boost family wages and invest in the future of Wisconsin.
“My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are committed to working with Gov. Tony Evers and focusing on the important issues at hand. We will deliver on Gov. Evers’ plan to improve health care, strengthen schools, fix our roads and invest in pro-growth policies to build up the middle class. We recognize that these aren’t Democratic or Republican issues. They’re Wisconsin issues and we must find ways to work together on these key priorities.”
Sen. Shilling’s full remarks to the Senate are below:
Mr. President, friends and colleagues. I am honored to join you here today as we begin a new legislative session and address the challenges facing our state.
I would like to welcome our new and returning members as well as their families. I especially want to recognize my husband Chris and our two boys Nathan and Zachary who are watching from home today. Thank you for your unconditional love, support and encouragement.
I also want to welcome everyone watching from home on WisconsinEye as well as our guests here in the Senate chamber.
Today marks the start of a new session, with new Representatives, new Senators, a new State Treasure, a new Attorney General, a new Lt. Governor and a new Governor. We have been given a clean slate and the opportunity to chart a new course for our state.
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are committed to working with Gov. Tony Evers and focusing on the important issues at hand. We will deliver on Gov. Evers’ plan to improve health care, strengthen schools, fix our roads and invest in pro-growth policies to build up the middle class.
We recognize that these aren’t Democratic or Republican issues. They’re Wisconsin issues and we must find ways to work together on these key priorities. These are complex, challenging issues, and we must commit to working through the messiness.
We also recognize that our government has a responsibility to strengthen communities and private enterprise by maintaining a strong public infrastructure. From repairing aging roads and bridges to encouraging broadband access in urban and rural areas, we need to ensure that our infrastructure is an asset, not a liability, to businesses growth and expansion.
Each of the members in this chamber represents a unique district and geographic area of our state, but at the end of the day, we are all co-workers united in our responsibility to serve our communities and do what’s best for the state of Wisconsin.
Rather than focusing on divide and conquer tactics, I hope that we will seize this opportunity to set a new tone and find commonsense solutions to the challenges we face.
As the Senate Democratic Leader, I look forward to working with, my legislative colleagues, community leaders and local advocates to strengthen relationships and move Wisconsin forward. By working together, I know that we can provide greater economic opportunity, prosperity and freedom for all to enjoy.
Thank you.
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.
