Analysis by Politico.com (7/20/15)Abortion after 20 weeks is now illegal in Wisconsin--with no exceptions for rape or incest. The legislation makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to three and a half years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The only way abortions after 20 weeks are allowed is if the mother is likely to die or be severely injured. Anti-abortion activists have coalesced around 20 weeks because, they say, that's when fetuses begin to feel pain.
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 19-14-0 on Jun/9/15; State Sen. Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 61-34-2 on Jul/8/15; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Jul/20/15.
Summary by Rewire News Group:AB 180 would require certain information regarding induced abortions, and an abortion-inducing drug regimen to be provided to a pregnant person seeking a medication abortion. The bill would require physicians to inform their patients that it might be possible to reverse the effects of a medication abortion.
Veto Message: I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to the political interference between patients and their healthcare providers, especially this bill's requirement that physicians inform their patients of a medical alternative that is not evidence-based. Politicians should not require medical providers to inform patients of inaccurate and misleading information.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 62-35-2 on May/15/19; Passed Senate 19-13-1 on Jun/5/19; State Sen. Fitzgerald voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Evers on Jun/21/19.
Summary by Wisconsin Justice Initiative: AB 806 broadens the criteria for the Serious Juvenile Offender program--the kind of program most states have eliminated. We know that incarcerating more children will not help the youth nor will it make our communities safer.
Veto Message: I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to increasing the number of youths that could be placed in the serious juvenile offender program when science informs us that a punitive disposition system leads to worse outcomes.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 60-38-1 on Feb/11/20; Senate passed on voice vote (with three members recorded as NO) on Feb/19/20; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voice-voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers on Feb/28/20.
Summary by Wisconsin Justice Initiative: AB 806 broadens the criteria for the Serious Juvenile Offender program--the kind of program most states have eliminated. We know that incarcerating more children will not help the youth nor will it make our communities safer.
Veto Message: I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to increasing the number of youths that could be placed in the serious juvenile offender program when science informs us that a punitive disposition system leads to worse outcomes.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 60-38-1 on Feb/11/20; Senate passed on voice vote (with three members recorded as NO) on Feb/19/20; State Sen. Tom Tiffany voice-voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers on Feb/28/20.
Wisconsin Radio Network analysis: State Representative Chris Danou says allowing on farm sales of raw, unpasteurized milk could provide a new source of revenue for the state's hard pressed dairy farmers. "It allows the farmer essentially to capture some more of the retail dollar," says the Trempeleau Democrat. Danou says some consumers "are willing to pay a premium" for raw milk.
Veto Message:The public health community has been nearly unanimous in their opposition to this proposal. I cannot ignore the potential harmful health effects of consuming unpasteurized milk that have been raised by many groups.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 25-8-0 on Apr/15/10; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 60-35-4 on Apr/22/10; Vetoed by Governor Jim Doyle on May/19/10
The Madison Isthmus analysis: The bill is opposed by Wisconsin Right to Life and Wisconsin Family Action. In a memo to legislators, Wisconsin Right to Life legislative director Susan Armacost states: "AB-458 would require that students be taught about a number of activities that could endanger their health and could result in a growing number of teen sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancies and abortions."
Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 51-45-3 on Jan/28/10; Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Jan/28/10; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted NO; Signed by Governor Jim D
Analysis by The Capital Times: This is the most controversial bill in the bunch altering the authority of the Department of Justice by stripping some powers from the office of the attorney general. One key change would allow legislators to hire their own attorneys at taxpayer expense if sued in their official capacity. That measure is something Republicans wanted so they could be represented by Republican-leaning private attorneys rather than a Democratic attorney general.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-16-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 57-26-12 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
Summary by Pioneer Press (6/9/15) Wisconsin Republicans moved [toward] eliminating the state's decades-old 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, pushing a bill that would wipe out the statutes. Minority Democrats railed against the bill, warning it would enable people caught up in fits of rage or depression to obtain weapons quickly and kill people. Republicans countered that the waiting period inconveniences law-abiding citizens, background checks can now be completed in hours and women could get guns faster to protect themselves and their families from abusers.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 19-13-1 on Apr/21/15; State Senator Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Assembly Passed without a roll call on Jun/9/15; several Democrats requested unanimous consent to record their No votes; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Jun/24/15.
Summary by Wisconsin Examiner: AB 26 facilitates allowing a patient (or their representative) to have a contract for primary-care services by that provider and have it be exempt from insurance law. The amendment, which was adopted along strict party lines, eliminated the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of citizenship status, gender or gender identity, genetic information, national origin and sexual orientation.
Veto Message: I object to allowing a health care provider to choose not to enter into a direct primary care agreement with a patient based on the patient's genetics, national origin, gender identity, citizenship status, or whether the patient is LGBTQ. I believe that all individuals should be treated equally.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 61-36-2 on Jan/21/20; Passed Senate 20-13-0 on Feb/20/20; Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Evers on Feb/8/20.
The Capital Times analysis 12/5/18:This bill deals with Medicaid waivers and fortifies a requirement that those who receive Medicaid benefits also hold a job. Trump's administration approved the work requirement, but Gov.-elect Tony Evers said he is considering ending the policy. Dozens of healthcare organizations and insurers opposed the plan, arguing that it could result in diminished access to healthcare for some.
A.P. update 1/29/20: Gov. Evers tried to block the work requirement, but the Republican-controlled Legislature kept it. Evers' administration has said it would implement it, but delayed from until April 2020.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 60-31-8 on 12/4/18; Passed Senate 18-15-0 on 12/4; Sen. Fitzgerald voted YES; Signed by Gov. Walker on 12/14
Analysis by The Capital Times: This bill primarily deals with transportation issues and state highway funding. It also includes provisions that benefit certain companies, including partnerships and limited liability corporations, by effectively allowing them to reduce their tax burdens by choosing how they are taxed under state law.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 58-26-15 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
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The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Wisconsin House and Senate.
Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Wisconsin House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Scott Fitzgerald. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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