Voluntary Photo ID bill introduced today!

Here is a copy of the press release issued by State Representative Bill Kramer and I today:


Kanavas/Kramer Introduce Voluntary Voter ID Bill

(Madison, WI)…Today, State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) and State Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) introduced the Protect My Vote Act. The bill creates a voluntary photo ID program in Wisconsin so people can ensure their vote does not get stolen on Election Day.

“We know voter fraud exists and we have to take steps to eliminate it wherever and whenever we can. At a minimum we should be protecting people who are concerned about their vote being stolen and their rights being violated,” stated Kanavas.

The Protect My Vote Act, circulated today to solicit legislative cosponsors, creates a voluntary program allowing voters to request they be asked for a photo ID in order to vote on Election Day. Senator Kanavas introduced the bill at the request of a constituent who went to the polls in 2006 only to discover someone had already voted using his name. Under the Kanavas/Kramer legislation, the names of voters who opted-in to the program will be highlighted on the voter rolls requiring the election worker to ask for the person’s photo ID.

“In a little over a year, voters will be going to the polls for a statewide election. People need to have confidence in our electoral system and know that when they arrive to vote they’ll be able to do so,” added Kramer.
Legislators have two weeks to sign on as cosponsors of the bill at which point it will be given a bill number and assigned to a Senate committee.

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Waukesha GOP Health Care Breifing/Washington County GOP Gala Dinner

Tonight is a busy night.

5:30pm marks the beginning of the Waukesha County GOP Health Care briefing at the Oconomowoc Lake Club. The event, hosted by State Representative Leah Vukmir, is open to the public and will provide everyone with important information on the GOP's plan for health care and how we will stop the Democrat's Healthy Wisconsin plan, their version of government-run health care, from becoming state law.

Later this evening I will be attending the Washington County GOP Gala dinner at Scenic View Country Club. This annual event is always a great time with good food and wonderful folks from across Washington County.

I hope I get a chance to see you there.

Vicki McKenna interview on 1310 WIBA, Madison 3:00 pm today

I will be on the Vicki McKenna radio show (listen online here) this afternoon at 3:06pm to talk about a letter Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) and I sent to Department of Administration Secretary Michael Morgan and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority Executive Director Antonio Riley about the possibility of state taxpayer dollars being sent to ACORN.

If it turns out the state is giving taxpayer money to ACORN Rep. Kramer and I will immediately introduce legislation to stop it.

In case you missed the whole ACORN scandal you can catch a glimpse of the story by watching this video:

http://www.breitbart.tv/shock-undercover-video-shows-acorn-workers-advising-pimp-prostitute-to-avoid-law/


You may also read the text of our letter below:


Throughout 2008, and again in recent weeks, there were several news reports surrounding the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, or ACORN, and disreputable practices of providing advice to low-income individuals on tax evasion and fraud.

ACORN, whose purported mission is to serve low-income communities, maintains offices in both Madison and Milwaukee. From their website:

Since 1970, ACORN has been building community organizations that are committed to social and economic justice, and won victories on thousands of issues of concern to our members, through direct action, negotiation, legislative advocacy and voter participation. ACORN helps those who have historically been locked out become powerful players in our democratic system.

Recent media revelations have disclosed that ACORN staff in Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, New York, NY, and San Bernardino, CA gave advice on tax evasion, manipulation of the tax code, and in one extreme case, murder, should give us all pause on the role of this organization in civil society.

Recognizing the gravity of the history of allegations and criminal conduct surrounding ACORN, the United States Senate voted 83-7 to defund ACORN activities in the federal Housing and Urban Development budget. Additionally, the United States Census Bureau has cancelled a contract with ACORN that would have employed its assistance in the decennial census next year.

ACORN receives tens of millions of dollars in state and federal grants and contracts to provide certain services to low-income individuals. Our fear is that they may be receiving Wisconsin tax dollars as well. Several other states have requested reviews of their official relationships with ACORN.

Today we write to request that you review all contracts, grants, and other official relationships that the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority may have with the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN). If indeed WHEDA does maintain official relationships with the organization, please provide our offices detailed descriptions of the relationship – including any past or projected financial outlays – and any steps you are prepared to take to ensure that Wisconsin taxpayers are not subsidizing an organization that has clearly fallen into disrepute.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Warmest regards,



Bill Kramer
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
97th Assembly District



Ted Kanavas
STATE SENATOR
33rd Senate District

Session this afternoon

The Wisconsin State Senate is in session starting at noon today. You can view today's Senate calendar and follow the session live online.

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/insession/senate/index.htm

Dozer Days in Sussex

Dozer Days is going today from 9-4 today. It is a fun community event for families and benefits a great cause, the Hamilton Education Foundation. If you are in and around Sussex stop by.

http://www.dozerday.com/index.html