Senator Tammy Baldwin made a stop at the Sawmill Brewing Co. in Merrill Saturday on her way between engagements in Rhinelander and Wausau. She got a tour of the brewing operation from owner/manager Zach Kubichek and took home a growler of Sawmill brew.
Baldwin’s trek through the state took her from Beaver Dam to Rhinelander. Along the way, she attended the Wisconsin Committee to Protect Pensions’ monthly meeting in Wausau. Baldwin is a co-sponsor of the Butch Lewis Act, intended to put failing pension plans back on solid ground. She also recently introduced the Pension Stability Act to address the financial challenges of the Central States Pension Plan and generate new revenue in funding worker pensions.
“We must keep our promise to workers and retirees by making sure they receive the pensions they have earned. I am introducing this reform to address the financial challenges of the pension insurance program and to generate new revenue to fund worker pensions,” said Senator Baldwin. “Financial institutions convicted of a crime should have to pay a penalty that will provide funding to support workers and retirees who saw massive cuts to their pensions through no fault of their own. This reform helps us keep our promise to workers.”
In Little Suamico, Baldwin introduced Avery Smith, a local heavy equipment operator, whom she invited to join her for President Trump’s State of the Union address. Smith, who has worked on infrastructure projects in Wisconsin for nearly two decades, will go to Washington and join Senator Baldwin’s push to rebuild America’s infrastructure with a plan that has strong buy American, hire American standards.
“Washington needs to put words into action because Wisconsin is in desperate need of rebuilding our infrastructure. It’s time to act on a plan that puts people to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, ports and water infrastructure. Strong buy American, hire American standards must be at the foundation of our plan so we can create jobs and boost local economies in Wisconsin,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to act on a plan that provides Wisconsin businesses with the quality transportation system they need to move their goods to market and grow our economy. Our rural communities can’t be left behind and we need to expand rural broadband so they can help drive the economic growth we need across our state.”
Before stopping in Merrill, Baldwin met with millworkers in Rhinelander. Most of her engagements on the sweep across the state were labor related, Baldwin noted.
“I think there’s general agreement, no matter where on the political spectrum you are, that Washington is not working for Wisconsin right now,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of encouragement in my efforts to stand up to the big and powerful folks.”