DAVID E. CLARENBACH Residence: 130 East Gorham Madison, Wisconsin 53703 Capitol Address: 112 North-State Capitol Madison, Wisconsin 53702 Telephone: (608) 266-8570 WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER MADISON 53702 REPRESENTATIVE 78th District (East and Central Madison) CHAIRPERSON: Committee on Health Care and the Consumer MEMBER: Committee on Consumer Affairs Committee on Elections Committee on Administrative Rules Dear Friend: As part of my legislative responsibility, I am sending you this Capitol Review newsletter to alert you to important issues in the State Assembly, and to inform you of some of my activities. I would be pleased to discuss these or other matters at greater length with anyone. If you have ideas or comments, please feel free to contact me at any time. Sincerely, David DAVID E. CLARENBACH State Representative 78th Assembly District INCOME TAX REFORM-Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to enact an income tax. It was intended that the rate of tax one pays on his or her income should reflect his or her ability to pay. The problem is that the income levels on which rates are determined in Wisconsin have not changed in 50 years. The highest tax rate in our state is reached at the $14,000 income level. Since an individual earning $14,000 is currently taxed at the same rate as one earning $50,000, I introduced an amendment to the budget bill which would have created six additional income-rate brackets. Although the amendment was defeated, support was significant and I intend to re- introduce the concept later this session. WAGE AND BENEFIT PROTECTION-The closing of plants and businesses during the current recession has deprived many workers of more than just a job. Quite often, they are left "holding the bag" as insolvent companies close up shop and leave town, defaulting on wages and retirement benefits owed employes. A bill has been introduced which would guarantee that workers would receive their full wages due them when their places of employment close down. Other legislation would require advance notice before group health insurance or other benefits are cancelled. The traumatic effects of the Gisholt and Red Dot closing on Madison-area families need not have oc- curred. The legislation which I support would guarantee that workers re- ceive their just compensation. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM-Widespread concern over the "marketability" of candidates to the highest special interest bidder leads to only one sen- sible conclusion: that a way must be found to encourage small contributors in massive numbers in the funding of political campaigns. Perhaps the most efficient--and painless--method is the dollar checkoff, a feature of the federal income tax form for several years. Legislation has been introduced which would implement this procedure on the state level. Individual tax- payers would be able to designate their dollar toward a nonpartisan fund or one of two partisan funds. Candidates would receive funds only if they demonstrate that their candidacy is "serious" by winning their party pri- maries and raising some funds on their own. I support this legislation. I have seen in the legislature that con- tributions from special interests to legislators in their campaigns too often lead to expectations on the part of these interests that legislators will serve their concerns. (Over) --- -2- EQUAL RIGHTS-A comprehensive women's rights bill (AB 431) similar to one de- feated last session, is awaiting Assembly action. Sponsored by Represent- atives Midge Miller, Mary Lou Munts, and others including myself, it should be passed and signed into law soon. In addition, legislation to prohibit discrimination based on economic and educational status and sexual preference is being considered. The pro- tection would extend to housing, employment, and public accomodations, and is similar to a package recently enacted by the Madison City Council. I am a sponsor of this additional legislation. HEALTH CARE POLICY-Until recently, most people took medical and health care services for granted, not believing themselves capable or qualified to evaluate the quality or cost of the services they received. The situ- ation has obviously changed as the costs of health care have skyrocketed, and people are now asking why the rise has so greatly outpaced the general increase in the cost of living. I've been appointed as chairperson of a subcommittee on Health Care and the Consumer which will investigate the role played by consumers in the formulation of policy by hospitals, group insurers and medical societies. To date, we have found that consumers are woefully underrepresented. They have no means for making their dissatisfaction known. We may be recommending legislation to require that the consumer's voice be adequately heard at the policy-making level in the health care system. PRISON REFORM-Despite the good intentions of some of those who operate prisons recidivism rates remain high. Until alternatives can be developed, prison systems themselves should be administered in a manner that is as humane and fair as possible. The concept that an inmate possesses rights has only re- cently begun to gain acceptance. I am a co-sponsor of legislation which seeks to guarantee that an inmate receives due process, visitation rights, edu- cational and work release opportunities and equitable opportunity for parole and probation. Despite the crime for which they are incarcerated, the rights of inmates must be recognized. I also support legislation which will elim- inate the civil disabilities from which exoffenders suffer when they are re- leased. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS-Safety, cost and environmental impact--these factors are the criteria around which the nuclear power debate currently revolves. Ex- tensive public hearings are being held throughout Wisconsin as utilities unveil their proposals to construct nuclear plants. Individuals from many walks of life and political persuasions are questioning with increasing fre- quency whether nuclear power really is the "clean, safe and efficient" energy producer that its proponents claim it to be. There appear to be sufficient questions relating to health, safety, economics and environmental impact which would warrant a five-year moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants. When even the "experts" cannot agree, we shouldn't proceed further without thorough, objective study. I support such a moratorium. ADDRESS CHANGE?-If you are receiving duplicate copies of the newsletter, if your name or address is wrong, if you know of others who would like to be on the list (or if you would like to be taken off!) please write, or call my office at 266-8570. OTHER LEGISLATION-In addition, I have sponsored or co-sponsored legislation to: * aid state bicycle planning by creating a state bicycle coordinating council. * study the feasibility of establishing day care programs for children of state employes. * prohibit the sale and possession of small handguns Saturday Night Specials. * create one student position on the UW Board of Regents and Vo-Tech Boards. * provide for no-fault divorce. * establish a program for prevention and control of drug abuse. * expand the state's open housing law * require corporate directors and officers to report any political contribu- tions made. * improve food services for aged persons in need. * allow local governments to veto permits issued to use chemicals in lakes. authorize the use of citations for non-traffic ordinance violations. * * certify native American language teachers ---