In light of Lilly Ledbetter’s recent visit to Wisconsin, I believe it is important to highlight the Wisconsin Republicans’ unprecedented attack on women’s access to health care and information and fair pay remedies this past legislative session. Instead of focusing on the real issues facing Wisconsin families, Gov. Scott Walker and legislative Republicans continually pushed forward extreme, ideologically driven attacks on women. As a prime example, they repealed Wisconsin’s pay equity enforcement law, which allowed victims of discrimination access to state courts to seek less-costly redress. …

Our state budget is a moral document that represents the blueprint for Wisconsin’s shared vision as a state. However, with a simple pen stroke on Sunday, June 26, Governor Scott Walker signed off on a radical reversal of our state’s values and priorities by approving a budget that shifts billions of dollars from public education, healthcare, and local services to fund handouts for special interests and tax breaks for big corporations.  This budget slashes aid to public schools by nearly $1.6 billion, while dramatically expanding taxpayer support for unaccountable, unproven voucher schools. It…

Tens of thousands of individuals have descended upon the State Capitol in response to Governor Walker’s “budget adjustment” proposal which was introduced last week.  While there has been much attention on the provisions that roll back rights and benefits for Wisconsin workers, there is a relatively little-known proposal in this same bill which could have severe consequences for our state’s Medical Assistance programs. This provision would give the Walker administration carte blanche authority to make far-reaching changes within vital health programs – including the spectrum of BadgerCare …

State Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay), a member of the Assembly Committee on Health, offered the following remarks in response to hearing of a potential $20 million in cuts to SeniorCare:“The fact that SeniorCare is allegedly being targeted by Governor Walker and my Republican colleagues in a yet-to-be disclosed budget repair bill is extremely troublesome. Not only does SeniorCare provide vital assistance to nearly 100,000 Wisconsin seniors by helping ensure them affordable access to prescription medication, but this innovative program saves taxpayers over $1,000 for each participant when …

Representative Sandy Pasch (D – Whitefish Bay) offered the following comments following Governor Walker’s State of the State address:“It is obvious that our state continues to face significant challenges, so I appreciate Governor Walker’s optimism in working to create a more vibrant economy in Wisconsin. However, I have serious concerns with the rhetoric surrounding his plans to address the economic emergency we have on our hands.“Republicans have already dug an additional $142 million hole and counting in our state deficit over the next biennium on legislation that will do nothing to …

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Arizona earlier this month, which left fourteen injured – including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords – and six people dead, Americans have been trying to find some sense or understanding of how such a terrible act could have taken place. As the evidence continues to get sorted out, we must sift through the speculation and blame and consider that there were likely many factors that influenced 22-year-old Jared Loughner to shoot the Congresswoman and other community members; we may never know them all. But what we must not do is allow this …