Progressive Thinking

Senator Smith encourages us to take time while celebrating this holiday season to consider the rich traditions and customs of other religious holidays as well.

EAU CLAIRE - For most of us, this time of year is for celebrating. Once December hits we’re in the holiday season—Thanksgiving leading up to Christmas and then New Year’s celebrations.

Although Christmas has much meaning for most of us, there can be no arguing that exchanging gifts has overshadowed the religious significance of the holiday. After all, Black Friday is aptly named as the day when retail outlets make their greatest profits from consumers buying Christmas gifts.

Yet, this season raises our spirits in so many ways. It’s a time when we can forget our differences and reflect on what could be.

I was raised in a Catholic family and attended a Catholic school. As a child, I was taught in catechism with the expectation that the Catholic faith was all I needed to know about religion. But I was always curious and even disappointed that I didn’t know more about the many other cultures and religious beliefs around me—and there are so many.

Trying to learn and understand other beliefs or cultures can be challenging, but it’s also interesting and surprising. What we learn from other religions isn’t really so different from the religious beliefs and values so many of us hold dear.

Christmas is the culmination of what many consider our traditional year, but other religions follow their own calendar. Knowing when important religious holidays happen can tell us a lot about each other. I learned a lot just looking ahead for the next few months.

On January 14^th the celebration of Makar Sankranti, a time of peace and prosperity in the Hindu religion, will occur. On January 19^th, the Baha’i will be celebrating World Religion Day.

For Muslims, there are many religious events on the horizon this winter and spring. On January 26^th and 27^th, Lailat al Miraj, the Muslims will be observing Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven. Similar to Lent for most Christians, Ramadan is a month-long time for fasting and prayer beginning on February 28^th.

Jewish followers start their two-day celebration of Purim on March 13^th. And, on April 12th, followers of the Jewish faith begin the seven-day Passover commemorating the freeing of Jewish slaves from Egypt.

This is only a fraction of the opportunities to celebrate and observe religious events that help us understand each other better.  Here in Wisconsin, on December 5^th, the Wisconsin State Capitol Holiday Tree was lit. Wisconsinites of all backgrounds came together during the tree lighting ceremony to share diverse stories and traditions.

Although 2024 is coming to a close and the end of year holidays are coming fast, we should take a moment to be thankful for our loved ones who make the holidays special and be willing to reach out to those who struggle through the holidays too.

Any time of the year, we should all celebrate the desire for justice, peace and good for all. The desire to get along and the way in which we should treat each other is reflected in nearly all religious holidays throughout the year.

I hope you take time to learn and understand others. Whatever your beliefs, I wish the greatest of joys to you, your family and your friends while we endure the hardships in this world together.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Sen. Smith highlights the successful reintroduction of wild turkey hunting by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 1976.

EAU CLAIRE - Many people are probably sick of turkey at this point, others may still be finishing up those leftovers in the fridge, but others are thinking about turkeys in another way. The deadline to apply for the 2025 spring turkey hunting season is rapidly approaching on December 10^th.

As most of us know, turkeys are wily birds – they are clever, curious and sometimes down-right obnoxious when strolling through the deepest parts of Wisconsin’s forests to the backyards of our subdivisions. I find it amusing that Benjamin Franklin even suggested the United States adopt the wild turkey as our national bird. Although the Bald Eagle may more majestic, the wild turkey could have been just the right bird for our fledgling nation finding its way in the world.

While on the heels of Thanksgiving, it may seem like an odd time to think about spring turkey hunting plans, but it should remind us all about how our state’s successful turkey hunting program came to be.

Wild turkeys were completely extirpated in Wisconsin since the late 1800s from hunting and habitat loss. There were futile attempts to restart the population with hybrid wild-domestic turkeys and birds from game farms, but they didn’t last. It wasn’t until Wisconsin struck up a deal with Missouri to trade our ruffed grouse for their wild turkeys.

In January 1976 the DNR released the first 29 turkeys from Missouri into the Vernon County Bad Axe River watershed. Over the course of ten years, Wisconsin received 363 wild turkeys from Missouri. To everyone’s surprise, the turkey population thrived, so much so, that the DNR trapped birds in the area and relocated them throughout the state. The first limited spring hunt was in 1983 and the fall hunt started in 1989. Nowadays, hunters enjoy a robust fall hunting season and a limited spring turkey season. Fall is always a great opportunity to bring home a Thanksgiving turkey, but most hunters prefer the spring time to bag their gobbler while the ground thaws and the trees begin to bud.

Unlike deer hunting, turkey hunting in Wisconsin is a newer type of hunt ripe for new traditions that span generations. It provides a heart pounding, action-packed hunting season during the spring when most hunters have hung up their gear for the year, but haven’t quite gotten out the fishing gear for the summer. Most of all though, it’s an example of efforts by conservationists to reintroduce a species that lends its iconic heritage to Wisconsin’s landscape.

If you’ve hunted in the spring before, you know the drill – apply for the preference at www.gowild.wi.gov by December 10^th. If you haven’t tried hunting turkeys in the spring and you are interested, find a fellow turkey hunter to show you the ropes. Just be sure to coordinate your preference with your friends and family so you can have a great hunt. Don’t fret if you have never hunted turkeys before, the thrill of gobbles echoing in the early morning hours are sure to get you excited. Buy or borrow a turkey call, you’ll have plenty of time to practice before the season begins in April.

So, as you finish the last of the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, don’t forget to apply for your spring turkey permit. You won’t regret it and you might just start a hunting tradition that lasts for generations to come.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Senator Smith encourages hunters to apply for their spring turkey tags before the December 10^th deadline by going to www.gowild.wi.gov.

Senator Smith shares his hope for a renewed commitment to bipartisanship in the new legislative session in January considering the recent gains by democrats in both the Senate and Assembly.

MADISON - “I just want you to get along and get things done.” I have heard several versions of that statement over the years from countless citizens. But rarely does the legislature satisfy that desired behavior.

If you have read many of my columns, you know I frequently discuss my wish for better relationships and results from our governing body. You may even tire of me harping on the reasons we don’t see better cooperation and results. If you need a reminder, it has a lot to do with gerrymandering which left very few legislators who actually felt they needed to work for their constituents since the maps guaranteed their reelection. If there is no potential of losing your job, there is no reason to be accountable or to respect the opinion of the other side.

We now have a real opportunity moving forward to work on those lost relationships legislators once had. The balance has shifted enough to change the dynamics of both houses in our legislature. Sure, the Republicans still held onto the majority in both the Assembly and the Senate, but by a margin that should make any reasonable lawmaker realize they should work across the aisle. Republicans control the State Assembly with a 54-45 margin. That may seem like a comfortable majority for Republicans, but when you consider that Democrats flipped 10 seats this year and only need to flip five more to reach the majority, a change of behavior should be expected.

In the Senate, four seats flipped from Republicans to Democrats. Republicans control the State Senate 18-15. That should warrant a serious pause by Republican leaders in our house.

I introduced 126 bills in the 2021-22 session and 65 bills in the 2023-24 session. Of those 191 bill introductions, the Republican majority leaders only allowed 2 of my bills to get public hearings in a committee. Two out of 191. And only one of those bills came to the floor for passage.

In Senate committees the Republican majority largely suspended in-person executive sessions where members can introduce amendments and debate bills under consideration. Instead they almost exclusively used “paper ballots” that only allowed senators to vote bills up or down, with no public debate and no way to even advocate for amendments. I am hopeful that will change and we can consider amendments now that Republicans will need votes from Democrats to actually pass laws of substance. Relationships must be built and fostered along the way – a good way to do that is to meet face-to-face.

After the shock we suffered in the Chippewa Valley with closures of two vital hospitals, the legislature should have sprung into action and set aside petty political behavior. What we saw, instead, was more of the same. Money that was set aside to be directed to the Chippewa Valley for relief during this crisis has yet to be released because the Republican majority didn’t like that their original, narrow target for that money was expanded to include services like obstetrics and behavioral health. When I tried to raise my voice about this on the Senate floor for our community, I was gaveled down and Senate Republicans cowardly adjourned instead of listening.

At the end of each session, the legislature forms study groups to dig deeper and prepare for the next session on what we expect to be important issues we should tackle. I submitted a study on hospital closures and reform. My request was blatantly ignored. Clearly, the Republicans did not consider your access to healthcare nearly as important as hunting Sandhill Cranes.

We now have a real opportunity this coming session to demonstrate that we can get along, get things done and make a difference. The few of us on both sides of the aisle who served during a time when such narrow margins allowed for real collaborative governance can offer guidance to our colleagues who haven’t had the chance to work with trust and respect of opposing ideas.

I am looking forward to this opportunity. For our own personal health and the health of our state.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Senator Smith offers his insights after reflecting on the election results and gives perspective on the gains made by Democrats in the Senate and Assembly.

EAU CLAIRE - I know this is a time of recovery after a long and grueling election season. It’s when we all need to take deep breaths and resolve ourselves to accept the results no matter how we voted. Some who read this may have chosen to sit this election out. The final count proved there were fewer voters who participated than there were four years ago. We all have our reasons for who we vote for, and I know firsthand how exhilarating it can be to win and how crushing it can be to lose. 2024 had a lot of both.

While 90% of media coverage and attention landed on the presidential campaign and results, there were plenty of other consequential races and results to pay attention to. Wisconsin, once again, was a deciding factor for who resides in the White House, but once again proved we are a purple state. While Republican Donald Trump came out on top in Wisconsin for president, Democrat Tammy Baldwin won a third term in the United State Senate. Approximately 58,000 voters may have voted for Trump and for Baldwin on the same ballot.

Lost in the headlines from Election Day was that Wisconsin voters clearly decided on a more balanced State Legislature. Much has been reported over the years about Wisconsin Republicans who gerrymandered Wisconsin to give themselves a 22-11 super majority in the State Senate and an insurmountable 64-35 majority in the State Assembly. After many court cases and elections, Republicans and Democrats finally agreed to a new competitive legislative map in 2024 with very different results.

Going into the 2025 legislative session, Republicans will still hold majorities in both houses, but it looks quite different now. After flipping four seats out of 16 that were up for election this year, the Senate is now significantly more balanced with 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats. In the Assembly, 10 seats were flipped so the numbers are now 54-45. In all, Democrats won 14 seats, regained the ability to uphold the Governor's veto authority and better reflects Wisconsin’s purple political hue.

It’s been 14 years since the margins have been that close. There are only a few legislators still serving who were in office before 2011 when such slim margins were common and majorities swung back and forth. It is only when there are such close margins, coupled with the looming threat of losing power, that the two parties really tend to consider all opinions and work together in meaningful ways.

This was what voters have been asking for. “Can’t you all just get along and work together?” Politicians won’t always get along, but keeping elections close for either political party will force lawmakers to work together.

This makes me hopeful and optimistic. Republican lawmakers will need to relearn the art of diplomacy and statesmanship and Democrats will need to find opportunities for common agreement.

The return of real debate, consideration of amendments and being open to respectful consideration of all ideas to make laws better would be a welcome change. Maybe the majority leaders will consider allowing committees to hold hearings on bills introduced by minority members and give the public a chance to hear other perspectives.

So, while most of the attention is still on what happens in Washington, we have plenty of reason to be hopeful in Wisconsin that politics will look much different here.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Senator Smith highlights the vibrant cultural benefits of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes and encourages everyone to find ways to celebrate November as Native American Heritage Month.

EAU CLAIRE - November is Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate the vibrant cultures, invaluable contributions and rich histories of Native communities in our country. This month reminds us to confront our nation’s complex past, celebrate the resilience of Indigenous peoples and commit to addressing the systemic issues in our society today. We each have a role in honoring and amplifying Native voices, and this month provides us with an opportunity to do just that.

I feel a great sense of admiration for the strength, pride and persistence within Native communities. For generations, Native Americans have held onto their cultural identities despite tremendous adversity. From preserving languages and traditions to revitalizing cultural practices, Native communities are actively reclaiming their heritage and future. I’ve seen Native youth proudly wearing traditional attire like ribbon skirts and beaded earrings, celebrating their cultures and sharing their stories. This visibility is powerful, reminding all of us that Native culture isn’t a relic of the past, but a vibrant contribution to our present and future.

Native American Heritage Month also highlights the urgent challenges facing Native communities. Native women, for instance, experience violence at disproportionate rates, with over half facing sexual violence in their lifetimes, mostly committed by non-Natives. In response, federal legislation like the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), aims to address this epidemic, but sadly, this bill is still stalled in the United States Senate.

I am honored to serve on the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations which is tasked with investigating, and proposing, new legislation for the upcoming legislative session that impacts native communities across Wisconsin. Our next meeting is scheduled for today, and I hope meaningful reforms will be proposed in earnest in the next legislative session as a result of this committee’s work.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to Native veterans who, despite centuries of mistreatment, have served in the U.S. military at historically high rates. Native Americans have a proud legacy of service, defending the very nation that once marginalized them. Supporting organizations that assist Native veterans, such as those focused on addressing homelessness and healthcare, is one way we can honor their sacrifices.

As Native American Heritage Month should be a recognition to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into our daily lives and decision-making processes, let’s honor our first nations by learning about Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes, educating others, celebrating traditions and acknowledging the past. You can visit www.wisconsinfirstnations.org to learn more about resources that are available, and ways you can help educate others about our state’s tribal heritage.

This November, let us celebrate and uplift Native communities, confront historical injustices, and commit ourselves to building a future that respects and protects Native cultures, lands and voices. Native Americans have contributed immeasurably to our society and it is only right that we strive to create a society that values and supports them in return. May Native American Heritage Month inspire us to keep listening, learning, and acting as allies for Native communities every day of the year.

Senator Smith is honored to serve on the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations and hopes the work of the committee will result in tangible policy proposals in this upcoming legislative session.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.