To start the session, Representative Amy Loudenbeck and I introduced a bill rolling back work permit requirements for minors. Today, anyone under 18 must obtain an employer-specific work permit, have it signed by a parent or guardian, and pay a $10 fee. This bill joins 35 other states by eliminating the work permit requirement for those 16 and over.

There are a couple factors motivating this bill. First, work permits represents an undue burden on young employees. The permitting process does not effectively limit child labor violations, yet it presents a hurdle to high school students that want to start earning a paycheck and perhaps start saving for college. This bill removes that hurdle.

Second, requiring a $10 fee and a signature from a parent or guardian often presents a barrier to employment for low-income, unaccompanied or homeless teens. Since they have no one to sign the permit application, they cannot receive a work permit and are precluded from legal employment until they turn 18. Oftentimes this forces unaccompanied teens into illegal employment in undesirable and perhaps illegal fields. This bill will give these disadvantaged individuals the opportunity to legally earn a paycheck.

So far this bill has received bi-partisan support and support in both the Senate and Assembly. It is just one of several bills I hope to introduce this session supporting the freedom to work in Wisconsin. 

On Tuesday, the Senate convened and took up two pieces of legislation. The first was the rules under which the Senate will operate for the next two years. Traditionally, legislative bodies govern themselves by agreeing to a set of rules at the outset of the session. Senate Resolution 2, approving the rules passed on a 21-12 vote.

The second piece of legislation voted on was a jobs bill, Senate Bill 1. This bill enabled, through the creation of a locally-funded tax incremental district, the building of a distribution center in Oostburg, Wisconsin that will create 120 jobs over the next three years. The bill was recommended by committee with a unanimous 7-0 vote and similarly was approved by the Senate on a unanimous 33-0 vote.

The State Senate has an exciting new educational opportunity for middle and high school students. The "Page for a Day" program is a selective program that provides students the opportunity to see Wisconsin government at work. Pages will work on the Senate floor during session and have the opportunity observe lawmakers carry out their duties. I have the opportunity to sponsor three or four students to be a "page for a day" this year, so I encourage any interested students to apply early.

If you have any questions concerning the program or the application process, please contact Dr. Tammy Wehrle, Legislative Education and Outreach Officer at Tammy.Wehrle@legis.wi.gov. Additional information and the application can be found here.