THE VALUED VOICE

On October 21, Damond Boatwright, regional president of operations for SSM Wisconsin and WHA’s 2019 Board chair, was appointed to a recently formed, bipartisan Speaker’s Task Force focusing on ways to address racial disparities, educational opportunities, public safety and police policies and standards. The Task Force includes four members of the state Assembly, two Democrats and two Republicans, as well as 28 community leaders from across Wisconsin.
 
“More than 100 people applied to be on the task force. After a month of interviews, we will now move forward with an unprecedented, community-focused group,” said Speaker Vos in a statement announcing the members of this Task Force. “The membership represents a diversity of experiences, backgrounds and geography of the state. I want to thank the legislators and community members for agreeing to be part of the task force.”
 
In late August, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced the creation of this Speaker’s Task Force, which is now being led by two members of the Legislature as co-chairs, Republican Majority Leader Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) and Rep. Sheila Stubbs (D-Madison).
 
The Task Force will hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. on October 28 in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Like other recent Speaker’s Task Forces, this group is expected to develop recommendations that can be pursued by the state Assembly in the next legislative session which begins in January.