First let me thank all of you who voted for me in the past election. I consider it a great honor and responsibility to represent you in the State Assembly. I appreciate your support and will do my best to represent you.

Now that the elections are over, it is time once again to focus on the upcoming session. As you may be aware the Assembly Democrats will remain in the minority with seven fewer seats than the Republicans. The Senate Democrats increased their majority and now hold a two-seat advantage. Thus, my sense is that we will continue to see the need for compromise on important issues facing the state and a difficult time in passing legislation that reflects truly progressive ideas.

Because of the current configuration of the legislature I believe that it is more important than ever to be a strong and forceful advocate for substantial change. Therefore I will continue to focus on several issues in the upcoming session and work with the progressive caucus of the Assembly to bring to the forefront a lively debate on the issues including: campaign finance reform, health care, domestic partnerships, education and the environment.

I will be introducing a bill that will allow for 100% public funding of campaigns. While many people and organizations are chiseling away at the system of "legal bribery" I am convinced that we must take on this issue in its totality and close the numerous loopholes that currently exist.

The bill is similar to a law that went into effect in Maine. I have contacted numerous candidates from Maine who ran in November and am encouraged by the positive response from the candidates and will use their feedback to strengthen the bill in Wisconsin.

I will continue to work on HMO reform that will allow the doctors and not the bureaucrats to make the medical decisions. We must also strengthen the hand of the patient when it comes to availability of experimental treatments especially when it relates to life threatening situations. We must ensure that the elderly and low-income individuals have adequate access to prescription drugs.

I will once again introduce a Civil Union bill that will provide the same rights and responsibilities as marriage for same sex couples. It amazes me that we live in a country in which a couple can meet on national television and marry on the same night and be granted the full benefits of marriage while at the same time another couple can build a life together for twenty to thirty years and be denied the same benefits. It is unjust and must change.

I will continue to be a strong advocate for increased funding for smaller class sizes and special education. I will fight against school vouchers and for a strong, safe and functional public school system in which all students will have equal access to a sound learning environment.

I will continue to fight against the Perrier bottling plant, oppose the dove hunt, work to reinstate the public intervenor’s office and restore the independence of the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.

The battle in front of us will be a difficult one. However, by focusing public attention on these issues and clearly differentiating the philosophies of the progressive movement from that of the Republicans I believe that the ideals listed above are just and in the end we will prevail.

As always, you can reach me at (phone) 266-8570, (e-mail) mark.pocan@legis.state.wi.us or you may write to P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708.

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