June 18, 2013

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Senate passes abortion bill amidst shouting

June 12, 2013 By

A short session in the state Senate this morning had fireworks but not the celebratory kind. The senators gathered to take up an abortion bill that had been blocked from final passage Tuesday by Democrats.

Following speeches by Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and the bill’s author Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Sen. President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) immediately went to a vote; meanwhile, Democrats shouted for more debate on the measure.

Ellis shouted back while repeatedly slamming his gavel. “You’re interrupting a roll call and that will not be tolerated. Sit down!”

AUDIO: Ellis’ gavel and a few of his stern words

The legislation which requires an ultrasound prior to an abortion passed 17-15 on a party line vote with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) was absent.

Afterword, Democrats accused Republicans of jamming through the bill with little discussion.  Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-LaCrosse) told reporters the Senate majority engaged in “legislative bullying” to push through a bill that involves “medical bullying.”

The proposal now heads to the Assembly.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Lawmaker proposes Firearms Freedom Act

June 12, 2013 By

If the federal government ever moves to ban certain types of firearms or gun accessories, a state lawmaker wants to make sure Wisconsin stands ready to protect the 2nd Amendment rights of its citizens.

State Representative Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) plans to introduced a “Firearms Freedom Act.” The bill would prevent local state and law enforcement from assisting in the enforcement of federal laws that ban or curtail the use of firearms. Officers who violate the law could be charged with a misdemeanor.

The Oskhosh Republican says it’s intended to send a message to the federal government that Wisconsin will not participate in attempts to take away the rights of its citizens.

AUDIO: Rep. Michael Schraa (:43)

The bill would also declare that any Wisconsin-made firearms are not subject to federal commerce laws. In addition, Schraa says it would bar medical doctors from inquiring about the gun ownership of their patients, which he says has nothing to do with their physical health.

At least eight other states have adopted similar laws. Schraa is currently circulating the bill for possible co-sponsors.

Filed Under: Legislature, News

Ultrasound bill poised to pass Senate

June 12, 2013 By

Legislation which would require doctors perform or arrange ultrasounds for women seeing abortions in Wisconsin is poised for passage in the state Senate, after Democrats in the chamber used a procedural move to block a final vote on Tuesday. The Senate is due back on the floor at 8:00 a.m. Governor Scott Walker has already said he’ll sign the bill if passes the legislature.

The bill is from state Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), who has argued that such procedures ought to be part of the “standard of care” prior to any abortion. “It’s relatively routine to have that ultrasound, and this bill assures that every woman has that standard of care,” said Lazich. “There’s no reason a woman should have a lesser standard of care.”

Democrats, who offered numerous amendments to the measure, argued that politicians in the Senate are in no position to determine appropriate standards of care, and that the real rationale for the bill is to throw up further roadblocks for women seeking abortions. The measure establishes penalties for doctors who fail to perform ultrasounds or refer their patients to clinics where they can receive them.

“The intent is to tell a woman and her doctor they’re not capable of making a decision on their own,” said Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton). “We should be state Senators. We shouldn’t be doctors, and we shouldn’t be God,” said Senator Tim Cullen (D-Janesville).

“Instead of pretending that we’re that we’re trying to provide a higher level of care, just say “I don’t agree with abortion, and I want to put up all the roadblocks I can between a woman and her right to make that choice,’” said Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee).

The debate over the amendments featured plenty of frank talk – a virtual political vagina monologue – as Democrats repeatedly made reference to women’s anatomy. “Let’s trust women to make choices for themselves, and for the love of Wisconsin, let’s stay out of their vaginas,” said Minority Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee).

“I went to my I-phone to look up the various methods of abortion” said Lazich, the bill’s author. “It describes the manual extraction, the vacuum extraction, or the machine vacuum extraction.” All of those, Lazich said, potentially more risky and painful than an ultrasound. Republicans did allow a Democrat amendment requiring free clinics to offer transabdominal ultrasounds as well as the more invasive transvaginal procedure.

Opponents of this bill (SB 206) and other GOP measures designed to restrict access to abortion rallied on the Capitol steps as debate got underway Tuesday. The bill also requires doctors performing abortions in Wisconsin to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of where the abortion is to be performed. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said that provision would require it to close its clinic in the Fox Valley.

UPDATE: The Senate passed the bill Wednesday morning on a party line vote. It now heads to the Assembly.

Filed Under: Featured Story, Health & Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Abortion bill draws protests at the Capitol

June 11, 2013 By
Opponents of SB206 gather on the Capitol steps. (Photo: Bob Hague)

Opponents of SB206 gather on the Capitol steps. (Photo: Bob Hague)

As the state Senate opened debate on a controversial abortion bill Tuesday afternoon, opponents of the proposal rallied on the Capitol steps. Wearing bright pink shirts and chanting “stop playing games with women’s health,” they called on lawmakers to block passage of a bill that requires women to have an ultrasound before an abortion can be performed.

Nicole Safar with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin says it’s the latest of several bills introduced this session attacking women’s health. She says Republicans have an “obsessive focus” on not just abortion, but also access to birth control. The Assembly is expected to take up another bill later this week that would stop state health insurance from covering abortions and contraceptives.

Supporters contend the ultrasound bill makes sure women have all the information they need when considering an abortion. Safar says that should be up to doctors and patients to decide though, noting that their clinics already make optional ultrasounds available. She says it’s not the job of politicians to mandate medical procedures for any person.

AUDIO: Nicole Safar (:17)

Safar says another provision in the bill, which requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, would force Planned Parenthood to close its Appleton clinic. While she admits their doctors could eventually set up that access, the push to pass the bill ten days after it was introduced leaves them with little time to get the process started.

Democrats used a procedural move to prevent final passage of the bill in the Senate Tuesday, although lawmakers were expected to return for a vote on Wednesday. It will then head to the state Assembly.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature, News

Elections and campaign reform bill ready for Assembly vote

June 11, 2013 By

A big elections and campaign reform package is headed to a vote in the state Assembly with many of the most contentious elements stripped out. Members of the Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee voted 8-1 to advance the amended bill (AB 225) to a vote in the full chamber on Wednesday.

One new provision would double individual donation limits to Assembly and Senate candidates and statewide offices, including governor. Current individual amounts are $500 for Assembly races, $1000 for Senate campaigns and $10,000 for constitutional offices. “A 500 dollar limit was pretty low, a thousand dollars for a Senate seat was pretty low,” said Representative Cathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls), the committee chair.

The contribution limits have been unchanged since the 1970s. Representative Terese Berceau is a Madison Democrat who supports the changes. “I don’t know how we can quantify more money since Citizens United,” Berceau said. “Really, it is unlimited money and whoever can raise the most. And right now, Republicans have a significant advantage over Democrats.” She said Democrats, who rely more on small donors, would benefit from the change. The limits would be tied to the Consumer Price Index and subject to biennial review.

Representatives of organizations who testified against the omnibus legislation when it was introduced a week ago found the changes contained in the amendment a mixed bag. Jay Heck with Common Cause in Wisconsin was pleased that provisions of the bill dealing with disclosure of outside groups spending on Wisconsin elections,voter ID, and the state Government Accountability Board, have been taken out. Other parts of the bill remain problematic. “This bill keeps in the ability of lobbyists to make contributions (to legislative campaigns) earlier in the process,” Heck noted. “We need that like we need a hole in the head. We don’t need lobbyists giving money earlier and more often. This a package that could have been worse. It’s better. The fact that it’s bipartisan is significant.”

“We like seeing online voter registration,” said Andrea Kaminski with the League of Women Voters. It legislation sets up online voter registration for people with valid drivers licenses or state issued I.D.  Still, Kaminski expects the most objectionable provisions of the bill will back later. “This amendment now has removed the most onerous, restrictive provisions for voters, but all of those things have been introduced individually. They’re not behind us yet.”

“I don’t necessarily think that this bill is a Christmas present to us,” said Berceau. “I totally anticipate that there may be a downside that comes later. We know that.” The only member of the committee to vote against the bill on Monday, Representative David Craig (R-Big Bend) said he still had questions.

In a sign that the measure may have prospect of passage in the state Senate, Senate President Mike Ellis told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he supports the concept of raising campaign contribution limits and allowing online voter registration, but would still need to look at the entire bill.

Filed Under: Featured Story, Legislature, News, Politics & Government
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