MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After days of little action, lawmakers in Madison were busy Tuesday.
Governor Tony Evers signed several bills into law, and the legislature sent even more to his desk.
PFASState lawmakers passed one bill that bans the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS in Wisconsin, but it can still be used during a true emergency.
“This is probably the most significant issue we deal with every single day in my office.. is PFAS contamination,” State Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, said.
PFAS have contaminated private drinking water wells around Marinette and Peshtigo for years. Those have been traced back to firefighting foams tested at Tyco Fire Products in Marinette.
The CDC says PFAS can increase cancer risk, affect growth, learning, and women’s fertility.
“If this bill would have been in place 50 years ago, we wouldn’t be in the place where we are in Marinette and probably many other places throughout the state,” Nygren said.
Substance AbuseA package of bills aimed at combating substance abuse also passed through the legislature.
The bills expand access to recovery housing, extend prescription drug monitoring program requirements and expand access to drug treatments in jail.
Lyme DiseaseGovernor Evers signed a bill requiring state parks to have bug spray available for visitors to buy — an effort to prevent Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites.
Ballot SelfiesAnd for all you selfie lovers out there, the state Senate passed a bill letting Wisconsin voters take pictures of their marked ballots.
Wisconsin is one of 18 states that bans ballot photos.
“The idea is that that prevents vote-buying, it prevents people from offering or receiving something in return for their vote and then proving how they voted,” Ken Mayer, a UW-Madison Political Science Professor, said.
Critics like the Wisconsin County Clerk Association fear to allow ballot photos will lead to voter fraud.
Supporters say it’s free speech.
