1 00:00:05,433 --> 00:00:06,266 PATRICIA GÓMEZ: En Wisconsin hay varios proyectos de ley 2 00:00:09,133 --> 00:00:09,500 bipartidistas que de ser aprobados beneficiarían 3 00:00:10,233 --> 00:00:10,933 a participantes de DACA. 4 00:00:13,700 --> 00:00:14,000 Están patrocinados por los representantes Silvia Ortiz 5 00:00:15,133 --> 00:00:15,533 Vélez y John Macco. 6 00:00:17,066 --> 00:00:17,366 Ellos están con nosotros. 7 00:00:19,466 --> 00:00:20,466 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Macco, 8 00:00:22,733 --> 00:00:23,066 Representative Ortiz-Velez, thank you so much for being with 9 00:00:23,833 --> 00:00:24,066 us today on Adelante. 10 00:00:25,933 --> 00:00:26,400 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Thank you for having us. 11 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:28,233 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Macco, 12 00:00:30,966 --> 00:00:31,900 you are a sponsoring in a bipartisan with Representative 13 00:00:37,066 --> 00:00:37,533 Ortiz-Velez a set or a package of bills related to DACA. 14 00:00:39,533 --> 00:00:39,833 Can you please list these bills? 15 00:00:40,566 --> 00:00:41,133 JOHN MACCO: Sure. 16 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:42,700 We actually came up with four different bills. 17 00:00:51,066 --> 00:00:51,800 The first one is SB78, AB 820, AB 821, and AB 822. 18 00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:54,066 Now I know most people don't go with numbers, 19 00:00:57,833 --> 00:00:58,700 but the first one is what are we calling our Police Parity Bill. 20 00:01:04,733 --> 00:01:05,133 AB 820 is a Tax Credit Bill, an offset of a fee that 21 00:01:05,966 --> 00:01:06,366 we're hoping to get done. 22 00:01:09,766 --> 00:01:10,833 The third one is tuition, and the fourth is licensing. 23 00:01:13,366 --> 00:01:13,966 So those are our four packages, and they're in various stages 24 00:01:15,100 --> 00:01:15,600 of moving through the process here. 25 00:01:16,866 --> 00:01:17,366 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Ortiz-Velez, 26 00:01:19,066 --> 00:01:19,200 can you tell us about Bill 820? 27 00:01:25,833 --> 00:01:26,800 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Well, Bill 820 allows the state to give 28 00:01:31,633 --> 00:01:32,366 that credit to offset the biannual application fee that 29 00:01:33,633 --> 00:01:34,666 has to be paid to the federal government. 30 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:40,233 And so that will help encourage people and help people along 31 00:01:40,733 --> 00:01:41,533 the way. 32 00:01:43,566 --> 00:01:43,766 PATRICIA GOMEZ: DACA enroll people have to pay around $500 33 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:44,933 every two years? 34 00:01:45,700 --> 00:01:46,633 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Yes. 35 00:01:48,866 --> 00:01:49,100 PATRICIA GOMEZ: And they will be offset by the $250 that they 36 00:01:49,833 --> 00:01:50,266 will be credited? 37 00:01:51,733 --> 00:01:51,866 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Yes, the state would give a credit 38 00:01:52,466 --> 00:01:52,600 for that. 39 00:01:53,366 --> 00:01:53,866 PATRICIA GOMEZ: OK. 40 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:57,833 Representative Macco, can you tell us more about this bill, 41 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:01,600 the DACA enroll, or the DACA beneficiaries being able 42 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:05,366 to enter as a police officer the law enforcement? 43 00:02:07,133 --> 00:02:07,266 Can you tell us-- 44 00:02:09,766 --> 00:02:10,533 JOHN MACCO: Actually, if I can just back up a second, 45 00:02:11,733 --> 00:02:12,466 all four of these bills are really critical. 46 00:02:16,500 --> 00:02:17,266 820 was sort of the end piece of it because when we were looking 47 00:02:18,966 --> 00:02:19,866 at the three bills, the Police Parity Bill, 48 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:23,566 keep in mind that DACA recipients right now can serve 49 00:02:25,566 --> 00:02:26,633 admirably probably in some of the military. 50 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:29,933 They can serve admirably in the corrections department as law 51 00:02:30,700 --> 00:02:31,166 enforcement officers. 52 00:02:33,133 --> 00:02:33,533 They can serve in the Department of Natural Resources 53 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:35,333 as an enforcement officer. 54 00:02:38,066 --> 00:02:38,933 They can serve admirably and do as state troopers. 55 00:02:43,900 --> 00:02:44,066 But local police officers are under a different set 56 00:02:44,666 --> 00:02:45,433 of statutes. 57 00:02:47,233 --> 00:02:48,233 So all our little does, it says that the local law enforcement 58 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:52,800 folks can hire under the same law, rules, and regulations. 59 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:54,033 It doesn't mandate it. 60 00:02:55,633 --> 00:02:56,600 It just gives them the same tools that the rest 61 00:02:58,533 --> 00:02:59,566 of the Wisconsin law enforcement folks have because it came 62 00:03:01,966 --> 00:03:02,900 to our attention up in Green Bay with our chief of police came 63 00:03:06,866 --> 00:03:07,866 to me, and he said he had a trainee that was moving up 64 00:03:09,866 --> 00:03:10,833 through the system, and he had gotten as far as he possibly 65 00:03:12,833 --> 00:03:13,766 could, and the next step for him now would be an officer. 66 00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:16,500 But he was precluded from doing that because local law 67 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:19,400 enforcement is governed under different statutes than all 68 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:21,800 the other law enforcement officer officers are 69 00:03:22,533 --> 00:03:22,900 in the state. 70 00:03:23,633 --> 00:03:24,100 So we're moving on that. 71 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:28,133 As a good note, that young gentleman was then picked up 72 00:03:30,433 --> 00:03:31,133 by the state troopers, went through their program here 73 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:34,533 in Wisconsin, served down in Dane County, 74 00:03:38,166 --> 00:03:38,433 is now serving admirably as a state trooper up in Brown County 75 00:03:39,133 --> 00:03:39,766 now in Green Bay. 76 00:03:41,333 --> 00:03:42,033 So although the city of Green Bay didn't get an opportunity 77 00:03:44,933 --> 00:03:45,533 to have him on their staff, fortunately, 78 00:03:46,566 --> 00:03:47,300 we are getting his benefits there. 79 00:03:49,766 --> 00:03:50,633 So that's the first piece is the Police Parity Bill. 80 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:54,200 PATRICIA GOMEZ: If we go back to this set of bills, 81 00:03:55,733 --> 00:03:56,766 Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, 82 00:04:00,933 --> 00:04:01,933 can you tell us about 821, each of these bills look at different 83 00:04:07,633 --> 00:04:07,766 needs or barriers that these DACA beneficiaries are facing 84 00:04:08,333 --> 00:04:09,033 right now? 85 00:04:11,166 --> 00:04:12,066 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: All of the Bills also help the state 86 00:04:15,233 --> 00:04:16,300 of Wisconsin, fill our need of workforce development. 87 00:04:20,100 --> 00:04:20,433 And that's important because we have a shortage of over 45,000 88 00:04:21,333 --> 00:04:22,133 workers in our state. 89 00:04:25,933 --> 00:04:26,233 And not only do we need to retain people that 90 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:28,133 we've invested in-- 91 00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:32,100 Wisconsin taxpayers have paid to educate people here 92 00:04:32,733 --> 00:04:33,000 in our state. 93 00:04:34,233 --> 00:04:35,033 We've made investments into people. 94 00:04:36,266 --> 00:04:36,966 We don't want to throw away those investments. 95 00:04:41,566 --> 00:04:41,700 And so 821 allows DACA recipients to receive in-state 96 00:04:42,166 --> 00:04:42,933 tuition. 97 00:04:45,700 --> 00:04:45,833 Many of them have lived in Wisconsin most of their lives, 98 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:47,100 anyway. 99 00:04:48,766 --> 00:04:49,100 And they've gone to our high schools, and our middle schools, 100 00:04:49,866 --> 00:04:50,500 and our grade schools. 101 00:04:53,566 --> 00:04:54,566 And all of them are meant to make sure that we build up 102 00:04:58,300 --> 00:04:59,100 our workforce as well and to remove barriers to employment 103 00:05:02,266 --> 00:05:03,133 for people who are authorized and want to work. 104 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:06,600 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Few year ago, the in-state tuition was allowed 105 00:05:07,233 --> 00:05:08,000 in the state. 106 00:05:12,433 --> 00:05:13,400 After Governor Scott Walker took down that possibility, 107 00:05:18,066 --> 00:05:19,066 so now this is referring just to the DACA beneficiaries. 108 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:23,733 Before the institution was for students without documented 109 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:24,933 status. 110 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:28,633 So right now, we are talking about the Wisconsin Public 111 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:29,966 System. 112 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:33,100 We are talking about the set of universities around Wisconsin 113 00:05:35,333 --> 00:05:35,766 that will allow in-state tuition for these students. 114 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:38,533 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: That is correct description of Assembly 115 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:39,766 Bill 821. 116 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:41,433 PATRICIA GOMEZ: 821. 117 00:05:45,066 --> 00:05:46,133 And then if we talk about right now all these students who went 118 00:05:48,966 --> 00:05:50,000 through all the way, as you say, through high school and now they 119 00:05:53,333 --> 00:05:53,466 want to go to the university, they have to pay out-of-state 120 00:05:54,333 --> 00:05:54,833 tuition? 121 00:05:56,533 --> 00:05:57,466 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Not only do they not qualify to receive any 122 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:02,233 kind of grant-- any kind of federal programming funds, 123 00:06:04,466 --> 00:06:04,933 they have to pay for it out of their pockets, but on top of it, 124 00:06:05,833 --> 00:06:06,333 they have to pay out-of-state. 125 00:06:09,566 --> 00:06:10,633 The irony of this is that if they were students that we have 126 00:06:14,733 --> 00:06:14,966 versity I think is Michigan-- if they lived in Michigan, then-- 127 00:06:15,733 --> 00:06:16,166 is it Michigan? 128 00:06:17,233 --> 00:06:17,700 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Minnesota. 129 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:19,066 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Minnesota. 130 00:06:20,166 --> 00:06:20,833 If they were transfers from Minnesota, 131 00:06:23,233 --> 00:06:23,633 then they would be allowed to have in-state tuition. 132 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:27,266 PATRICIA GOMEZ: All that bright minds will be moving to other 133 00:06:29,266 --> 00:06:30,300 states, and we will be losing all those students who can 134 00:06:33,900 --> 00:06:34,333 graduate soon in so many areas that are needed in Wisconsin. 135 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:35,666 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Correct. 136 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:37,933 PATRICIA GOMEZ: So going back to you, Representative Macco, 137 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:41,433 can you tell us about the next bill that is 822? 138 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:46,633 It will be directed to another barrier that our 5,000 139 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:52,100 or so, maybe 6,000, DACA beneficiaries in Wisconsin are 140 00:06:52,833 --> 00:06:53,400 facing this barrier. 141 00:06:57,133 --> 00:06:58,233 JOHN MACCO: I first want to back up just a moment and make sure 142 00:07:01,366 --> 00:07:02,100 that we understand that this has nothing to do with immigration. 143 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:04,900 None of these bills are immigration bills. 144 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:08,733 These are job bills and economic development bills. 145 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:09,833 Period. 146 00:07:11,166 --> 00:07:11,366 I want to make sure everybody understands that. 147 00:07:13,433 --> 00:07:14,533 Now the immigration issue is another issue. 148 00:07:18,166 --> 00:07:18,600 And I'm sure that representative Ortiz and I would agree on a lot 149 00:07:19,466 --> 00:07:20,200 of issues relative to that. 150 00:07:22,066 --> 00:07:22,733 But I want to make sure that your listeners and your viewers 151 00:07:24,366 --> 00:07:25,266 realize that's not what this is about. 152 00:07:27,733 --> 00:07:28,800 This is about plain old simple economic development. 153 00:07:31,166 --> 00:07:32,033 Like you said, Patricia, we have 6,000 of these DACA recipients 154 00:07:33,766 --> 00:07:34,066 that are residing here in the state of Wisconsin, 155 00:07:35,033 --> 00:07:35,900 600,000 nationally. 156 00:07:39,866 --> 00:07:40,366 And we want them to feel-- and they're here already. 157 00:07:41,533 --> 00:07:42,133 And so what do we do with them? 158 00:07:43,466 --> 00:07:44,533 And my goal is to make them career- 159 00:07:47,766 --> 00:07:48,166 and community-ready and to make them a prosperous taxpayers here 160 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:49,266 in the state of Wisconsin. 161 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:50,900 That's what I would like to see. 162 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:53,133 That's what Sylvia and I are working on. 163 00:07:55,833 --> 00:07:56,433 And so it seems ludicrous to me to have someone that's lived 164 00:07:58,500 --> 00:07:59,266 here for 20 years, like Sylvia said, 165 00:08:01,833 --> 00:08:02,233 that has gone through our education program, 166 00:08:03,066 --> 00:08:03,666 then goes to college here. 167 00:08:05,866 --> 00:08:06,933 We sat down with a wonderful young lady, Sylvia and I, 168 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:12,066 just a few weeks ago, who's now graduated from Carroll College 169 00:08:12,666 --> 00:08:13,533 as a nurse. 170 00:08:16,333 --> 00:08:17,300 And she will now have to move to a different state to pass her 171 00:08:21,933 --> 00:08:22,233 nursing exam classes and get her license in another state 172 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:23,400 and practice there. 173 00:08:24,500 --> 00:08:25,300 That makes no sense to us. 174 00:08:27,366 --> 00:08:28,200 We want them to be career- and community-ready. 175 00:08:30,833 --> 00:08:30,966 So we want to make them available to get in-state 176 00:08:31,433 --> 00:08:31,733 tuition. 177 00:08:32,766 --> 00:08:33,333 Then Sylvia said, they don't get-- 178 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:36,233 they do not get any tax benefits, none. 179 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:38,233 They're not eligible for unemployment. 180 00:08:39,566 --> 00:08:40,466 They're not eligible for Social Security benefits. 181 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:44,733 They're not eligible for any kind of tuition subsidies 182 00:08:45,333 --> 00:08:45,533 or grants. 183 00:08:46,166 --> 00:08:46,800 And that's OK. 184 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:48,433 But we don't want them to be penalized. 185 00:08:53,166 --> 00:08:53,500 We want them to pay a regular in-state tuition price just like 186 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:55,100 everybody else would. 187 00:08:56,666 --> 00:08:57,066 And then we go to the licensing. 188 00:08:57,900 --> 00:08:58,566 And it's absolutely crazy. 189 00:09:01,133 --> 00:09:01,766 Like I said, that one gal that is graduating from Carroll 190 00:09:03,466 --> 00:09:04,300 as a nurse can't even practice here. 191 00:09:06,166 --> 00:09:07,033 She's going to have to get licensed somewhere else, 192 00:09:10,433 --> 00:09:11,100 and we lose a perfectly good nurse who lives here, 193 00:09:12,733 --> 00:09:13,333 loves this, considers Wisconsin home. 194 00:09:15,066 --> 00:09:15,466 But they can't be plumbers, either, 195 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:17,433 or licensed electricians. 196 00:09:20,133 --> 00:09:21,033 They can't be barbers, for crying out loud. 197 00:09:22,933 --> 00:09:23,966 So anything at all that the state of Wisconsin issues 198 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:27,166 a license for, we would like them to also be able to qualify 199 00:09:27,733 --> 00:09:27,866 for here. 200 00:09:28,700 --> 00:09:29,033 Now that's the key. 201 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:30,300 They have to qualify. 202 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,200 And I want you to know that this isn't that-- 203 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:38,066 some really crazy so-called liberal states, like Arkansas, 204 00:09:42,033 --> 00:09:43,066 and Tennessee, and Utah have already passed these bills. 205 00:09:46,100 --> 00:09:47,033 So we've got to get out of our own way and allow these folks 206 00:09:49,233 --> 00:09:50,133 to become productive citizens in the state of Wisconsin 207 00:09:54,266 --> 00:09:54,633 and to enjoy any kind of career that they can qualify 208 00:09:55,366 --> 00:09:55,766 for and want to pursue. 209 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:58,233 So that's what the licensing piece does. 210 00:09:59,366 --> 00:10:00,100 That's what the tuition piece does. 211 00:10:01,466 --> 00:10:02,500 And that's what the Police Parity Bill does. 212 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:05,400 And then we were so incensed about it that we're going these 213 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:08,700 poor folks are down here working their tails off, 214 00:10:10,833 --> 00:10:11,900 and then we charge them $500 bucks every two weeks, 215 00:10:14,333 --> 00:10:15,233 so we just threw the tax piece in there just for fun because I 216 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:18,100 was so irritated that we're penalizing these folks, 217 00:10:19,300 --> 00:10:19,833 and I wanted to give them half of it back 218 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:21,766 Because I'd love it, quite honestly, 219 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:26,000 I'd love it if all 600,000 DACA recipients from the entire 220 00:10:27,700 --> 00:10:28,333 country were to move to Wisconsin. 221 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:30,466 That would be awesome for our economy. 222 00:10:31,933 --> 00:10:32,566 And so if we can incentivize them to do that, 223 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:34,100 that's what I'd like to see happen. 224 00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:35,333 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Yeah. 225 00:10:36,833 --> 00:10:37,300 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Well, these bills are also not only 226 00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:41,700 to retain the great people that we have here already, 227 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:47,566 but to invite others across our country to come. 228 00:10:48,366 --> 00:10:49,200 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Yeah. 229 00:10:50,766 --> 00:10:51,233 However, Representative Macco, and now that you have learned 230 00:10:53,766 --> 00:10:54,800 so much about taking down these barriers, 231 00:10:58,700 --> 00:10:59,633 not just for the DACA enroll, but for our state to keep great 232 00:11:03,033 --> 00:11:03,666 employees and to keep tax contributors because they are 233 00:11:06,300 --> 00:11:07,100 contributing, I think, $15 million, 234 00:11:11,833 --> 00:11:12,866 just this small group of 6,000 DACA-enrolled. 235 00:11:15,233 --> 00:11:16,266 There are so many other things that can be done in Wisconsin. 236 00:11:20,466 --> 00:11:20,700 Wisconsin actually is considered one of the restricted states 237 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:21,933 regarding DACA. 238 00:11:25,133 --> 00:11:25,433 You mentioned the progressive, Wisconsin still being 239 00:11:26,666 --> 00:11:27,700 a restrictive state. 240 00:11:30,033 --> 00:11:31,033 Other states, I understand, they provide funding for health 241 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:36,500 because these DACA beneficiaries don't have any protections 242 00:11:37,233 --> 00:11:37,766 in the health area. 243 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:41,066 Are you ready to make a long list of all the other barriers 244 00:11:41,966 --> 00:11:42,366 that you have to take down? 245 00:11:43,900 --> 00:11:44,333 JOHN MACCO: No, Patricia, And that's exactly the problem. 246 00:11:45,933 --> 00:11:46,200 That's not at all what I'm talking about. 247 00:11:46,966 --> 00:11:47,333 PATRICIA GOMEZ: OK. 248 00:11:48,666 --> 00:11:48,800 JOHN MACCO: That's not at all what I'm all about. 249 00:11:52,233 --> 00:11:53,033 I am not-- a matter of fact, it's no secret. 250 00:11:55,466 --> 00:11:56,266 I am not at all interested in expanding Medicaid. 251 00:11:58,366 --> 00:11:58,966 I'm not at all interested in bigger government, 252 00:12:01,033 --> 00:12:01,466 or bigger agencies, or free handouts. 253 00:12:02,333 --> 00:12:03,066 And I'll tell you something. 254 00:12:07,766 --> 00:12:08,133 That's not-- every DACA recipient I ran into, that's not 255 00:12:08,866 --> 00:12:09,433 what they're asking for. 256 00:12:12,266 --> 00:12:12,400 So please don't make this into an immigration conversation. 257 00:12:12,966 --> 00:12:13,100 It's not. 258 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:14,300 It's opportunity. 259 00:12:16,033 --> 00:12:16,866 We want these folks to have the same opportunities that 260 00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:19,300 my grandparents, when they immigrated from Belgium. 261 00:12:20,133 --> 00:12:20,566 And that's what they want. 262 00:12:23,333 --> 00:12:23,666 So they just want us to get out of the way and let them do 263 00:12:24,433 --> 00:12:24,566 the successful thing. 264 00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:25,600 Let them be a nurse. 265 00:12:26,433 --> 00:12:26,866 Let them be an accountant. 266 00:12:29,366 --> 00:12:29,633 Let them be an electrician or a plumber. 267 00:12:30,333 --> 00:12:30,766 Let them do that. 268 00:12:32,233 --> 00:12:32,733 And they'll figure it out the rest of it themselves. 269 00:12:34,500 --> 00:12:34,966 They're here for opportunities. 270 00:12:35,866 --> 00:12:36,300 All of those folks are there. 271 00:12:38,966 --> 00:12:39,233 So I want to make sure that you understand that that's what 272 00:12:39,933 --> 00:12:40,533 we're looking for. 273 00:12:43,966 --> 00:12:44,933 And I think these bills would allow them to pursue those 274 00:12:47,833 --> 00:12:48,000 careers and to become quality citizens here in the state 275 00:12:48,666 --> 00:12:49,333 of Wisconsin. 276 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:52,333 Now do I think Congress needs to move forward on some of those 277 00:12:52,833 --> 00:12:52,966 things? 278 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:54,033 Absolutely. 279 00:12:56,100 --> 00:12:57,066 I think it is unconscionable that Congress hasn't put 280 00:12:59,933 --> 00:13:00,933 together a path so that these 600,000 DACA recipients have 281 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:04,033 a methodology for them to get their green cards and eventually 282 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:05,300 get their citizenship. 283 00:13:06,033 --> 00:13:06,600 That has to happen. 284 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:10,000 And I guarantee you that all 600,000 of them would be willing 285 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:11,766 to do that in a heartbeat. 286 00:13:15,666 --> 00:13:15,866 My sister-in-law was a Chinese citizen. 287 00:13:16,500 --> 00:13:17,033 She was here. 288 00:13:19,433 --> 00:13:20,433 She is a PhD working in the labs in here in Madison, 289 00:13:23,700 --> 00:13:24,633 and she just became a citizen about two years ago after 15 290 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:28,533 long, arduous years, and ridiculous amounts of paperwork. 291 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:31,933 And I was pleasured and honored to go to her swearing-in 292 00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:33,266 ceremony. 293 00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:36,866 And I think the 600,000 folks-- when you look at what a DACA 294 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:40,766 recipient has to do just to maintain their DACA status, 295 00:13:42,266 --> 00:13:43,333 those are the kind of folks I want working for me. 296 00:13:46,233 --> 00:13:46,966 And between all of our different companies in our Macco family, 297 00:13:49,433 --> 00:13:50,233 we have about 500 or 550 different employees. 298 00:13:51,466 --> 00:13:52,233 There's two people that I'd hire in a minute. 299 00:13:56,533 --> 00:13:56,666 If you worked on a family farm, and if you're a DACA recipient. 300 00:13:57,166 --> 00:13:57,933 Period. 301 00:13:59,433 --> 00:14:00,133 I'd hire you hands down because I know you know how to work, 302 00:14:01,333 --> 00:14:02,166 and you're not looking for anything free. 303 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:05,300 You're only working to-- you're only looking to say, hey, 304 00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:06,500 I know what I want. 305 00:14:07,333 --> 00:14:08,100 I'm here for opportunity. 306 00:14:10,133 --> 00:14:11,233 And I want to get out of the way of those hardworking folks that 307 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:14,633 are doing exactly what my great grandparents did when they came 308 00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:15,633 here. 309 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:17,033 They didn't come here looking for anything. 310 00:14:19,866 --> 00:14:20,566 They came here to say, I just-- this is the land of opportunity. 311 00:14:21,766 --> 00:14:22,633 And it still is the land of opportunity. 312 00:14:25,066 --> 00:14:26,100 And that's what I think Representative Ortiz and I are 313 00:14:28,533 --> 00:14:29,466 recognizing and realizing and going, all right, let them go, 314 00:14:32,100 --> 00:14:33,133 let them go because the economic power of that group, 315 00:14:35,666 --> 00:14:36,733 if we were to let them do their thing, would be staggering. 316 00:14:38,966 --> 00:14:39,666 And those are the kind of folks that we want to be productive 317 00:14:40,866 --> 00:14:41,400 citizens here in the state of Wisconsin. 318 00:14:44,666 --> 00:14:45,300 So those are the issues and we think allowing licensing, 319 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:47,333 allowing them getting an education, 320 00:14:50,033 --> 00:14:50,600 and pursuing the careers that they see fit, 321 00:14:51,633 --> 00:14:52,300 is the best way to get that done. 322 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:55,766 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Ortiz-Velez can you tell me 323 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:58,333 about the benefits for Wisconsin? 324 00:15:02,166 --> 00:15:02,666 We have mentioned economic in general employment, 325 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:05,233 taxes contributions from these. 326 00:15:06,900 --> 00:15:07,733 Are there any other areas that we can mentioned? 327 00:15:09,066 --> 00:15:09,700 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Especially, in health care. 328 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:13,633 We have a very aging population, and we really need more nurses 329 00:15:16,866 --> 00:15:17,466 and more medical staff to take care of our aging population. 330 00:15:18,900 --> 00:15:19,900 So that's a big need in our state. 331 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:23,133 I mean, we even have hospitals that are closing down across 332 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:24,266 our state. 333 00:15:27,233 --> 00:15:28,233 And that's a sign of nothing good on the horizon. 334 00:15:30,666 --> 00:15:31,500 So we need to really focus, especially in certain fields, 335 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:35,600 especially in medical, and other workforce areas. 336 00:15:37,366 --> 00:15:38,100 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Talking about the Latino community, 337 00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:41,666 as we have a reduced amount of professionals, 338 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:45,666 we also have a huge need among Latinos of those professionals 339 00:15:47,166 --> 00:15:47,866 who are in the same culture, in the same language. 340 00:15:49,166 --> 00:15:49,966 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Well, that's absolutely true. 341 00:15:52,566 --> 00:15:53,600 So there is a growing need for people that can speak Spanish 342 00:15:56,733 --> 00:15:57,333 and provide those services in a different language to people 343 00:15:58,966 --> 00:15:59,100 in our communities across our state. 344 00:16:00,966 --> 00:16:01,733 PATRICIA GOMEZ: What about in the area of construction? 345 00:16:03,100 --> 00:16:03,600 You talk about electricians needing these-- 346 00:16:04,966 --> 00:16:05,100 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Oh, my gosh. 347 00:16:05,566 --> 00:16:05,933 Yes. 348 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:07,166 PATRICIA GOMEZ: - -these licensings. 349 00:16:09,066 --> 00:16:09,266 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Yeah, we need to build a lot of homes 350 00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:10,500 in our state. 351 00:16:11,933 --> 00:16:12,433 We have a housing shortage, and it's a supply problem. 352 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:14,066 And so we need to build, build, build. 353 00:16:17,366 --> 00:16:17,833 Well, we need people to help with that workforce to build. 354 00:16:19,333 --> 00:16:19,800 And part of that is electric. 355 00:16:20,700 --> 00:16:21,000 We need electricity in homes. 356 00:16:21,866 --> 00:16:22,000 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Plumber. 357 00:16:22,566 --> 00:16:22,700 Plumbers. 358 00:16:23,433 --> 00:16:23,566 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Yes. 359 00:16:24,433 --> 00:16:24,833 PATRICIA GOMEZ: And many other-- 360 00:16:25,733 --> 00:16:26,233 professions that are needing-- 361 00:16:27,833 --> 00:16:28,200 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Real estate brokers, even-- 362 00:16:29,433 --> 00:16:29,566 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Exactly. 363 00:16:30,933 --> 00:16:31,633 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: --being able to service people 364 00:16:33,133 --> 00:16:33,600 in the language that they feel comfortable in to make sure 365 00:16:35,766 --> 00:16:36,033 there's a meeting of the minds when it comes to contracts. 366 00:16:36,733 --> 00:16:37,233 That's important. 367 00:16:38,633 --> 00:16:39,200 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Well, this is important because a lot 368 00:16:41,966 --> 00:16:42,100 of people are not informed about the situation about this 369 00:16:42,666 --> 00:16:43,433 condition. 370 00:16:46,833 --> 00:16:47,033 Even students who are dreaming to graduate in one of those-- 371 00:16:48,100 --> 00:16:48,700 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: That's so true. 372 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:49,933 PATRICIA GOMEZ: - -and they are DACA, 373 00:16:51,233 --> 00:16:51,600 have no idea that Wisconsin has this barrier. 374 00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:53,700 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Some people don't even know, 375 00:16:54,766 --> 00:16:55,233 and they're studying in these fields, 376 00:16:57,533 --> 00:16:58,566 and they're invested their time, and their money, 377 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:01,566 and their families have pulled together to make sure they can 378 00:17:04,266 --> 00:17:05,233 make it that far only to find out weeks before graduating, 379 00:17:07,700 --> 00:17:08,000 that they can't get licensed in our state in a place that 380 00:17:10,366 --> 00:17:11,066 they've called home. 381 00:17:13,266 --> 00:17:13,866 They have to move, and people are moving. 382 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:15,566 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Exactly. 383 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:17,333 And Latinos like to live in within our families in the same 384 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:18,433 location. 385 00:17:19,533 --> 00:17:19,666 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: That is true. 386 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:20,666 PATRICIA GOMEZ: OK. 387 00:17:22,266 --> 00:17:23,133 Representative Macco, what opportunities have these 388 00:17:27,266 --> 00:17:28,266 bipartisan bills to pass for these coming sessions, 389 00:17:31,266 --> 00:17:31,966 all the way from where they are coming and they are being 390 00:17:34,433 --> 00:17:35,366 successful, all the way to be approved? 391 00:17:37,466 --> 00:17:37,933 JOHN MACCO: Yes, so as you articulated, 392 00:17:38,833 --> 00:17:39,500 there are four separate bills. 393 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:42,733 We think they should pass all four of them. 394 00:17:44,533 --> 00:17:45,333 I did have the opportunity to speak with the governor about it 395 00:17:48,466 --> 00:17:48,800 briefly at the residence around Christmas time, 396 00:17:50,233 --> 00:17:50,666 and he's all for them. 397 00:17:51,533 --> 00:17:52,266 So we have to get it to him. 398 00:17:55,700 --> 00:17:56,266 The challenge really is on our side of the aisle, 399 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:58,300 there's a profound miscommunication 400 00:18:01,766 --> 00:18:02,266 and a misunderstanding of what a DACA recipient actually is, 401 00:18:03,833 --> 00:18:04,600 or what these bills actually do. 402 00:18:07,700 --> 00:18:08,100 And so we've made tremendous communication-- 403 00:18:10,566 --> 00:18:11,600 tremendous effort on that. 404 00:18:15,533 --> 00:18:16,600 Great for her, but sad for us, our Senate lead was Senator Lena 405 00:18:20,033 --> 00:18:20,166 Taylor, who, as you know, was just appointed a judgeship this 406 00:18:20,633 --> 00:18:21,200 weekend. 407 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:23,433 I texted her before it was actually announced 408 00:18:24,333 --> 00:18:24,766 and congratulated her. 409 00:18:26,133 --> 00:18:26,900 She will make a great judge. 410 00:18:29,466 --> 00:18:30,200 But she was our champion on the Senate side. 411 00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:33,200 And we still have Senator James over there, 412 00:18:34,066 --> 00:18:34,766 and he's doing a phenomenal job. 413 00:18:38,666 --> 00:18:39,700 But that seems to be where the gridlock is running into. 414 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:44,300 So very proud of the fact that with Representative Ortiz and I, 415 00:18:46,333 --> 00:18:46,933 we were able to get these bills. 416 00:18:47,966 --> 00:18:48,600 Some of them are in various stages, 417 00:18:50,266 --> 00:18:51,333 but they've been through committees and through-- 418 00:18:53,966 --> 00:18:54,333 one of them-- in the case of the Police Parity Bill was already 419 00:18:55,066 --> 00:18:56,033 done on the main floor. 420 00:18:59,033 --> 00:18:59,166 So we're now just waiting for the Senate to move on some 421 00:18:59,733 --> 00:19:00,266 of these. 422 00:19:01,533 --> 00:19:02,500 And then if that were to happen, they'll go 423 00:19:04,833 --> 00:19:04,966 to the governor's desk, which I'm convinced he would sign 424 00:19:05,466 --> 00:19:05,833 them. 425 00:19:07,366 --> 00:19:08,400 So we just have to get that done. 426 00:19:10,466 --> 00:19:11,200 But as you know, there's a lot of commotion going on in this 427 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:13,466 building the last few weeks that, I think, 428 00:19:16,066 --> 00:19:17,133 are sadly distracting us from some of the real work 429 00:19:20,966 --> 00:19:21,200 of governing that we need to be doing right now and frustrated 430 00:19:22,133 --> 00:19:22,866 as everybody is. 431 00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:24,600 And we've got a team of folks, by the way, 432 00:19:26,966 --> 00:19:27,433 with Representative Ortiz and I, and a bunch of other folks who 433 00:19:28,366 --> 00:19:29,366 want to see these things done. 434 00:19:31,633 --> 00:19:32,066 And daily, we're going back and forth and back and forth, 435 00:19:32,933 --> 00:19:33,233 did you talk to this person? 436 00:19:34,100 --> 00:19:34,233 Did you talk to that person? 437 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:35,166 Where are we on this? 438 00:19:35,900 --> 00:19:36,766 How do we get that done? 439 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:42,000 So we're working really, really diligently to get the hearings 440 00:19:43,366 --> 00:19:44,266 that we need on the Senate side. 441 00:19:47,233 --> 00:19:47,466 And then it's our hope that those would go straight 442 00:19:48,066 --> 00:19:48,200 to the governor. 443 00:19:50,833 --> 00:19:51,766 But too soon to tell. 444 00:19:54,333 --> 00:19:54,933 But organizations like yours, getting the word out like 445 00:19:56,466 --> 00:19:56,800 you're doing, is extremely helpful. 446 00:19:57,566 --> 00:19:58,233 So thank you for that. 447 00:20:01,866 --> 00:20:02,266 We had another interview about an hour ago on the same topic. 448 00:20:04,266 --> 00:20:05,133 So I think folks realize. 449 00:20:07,433 --> 00:20:08,466 And especially when Representative Ortiz and I get 450 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:10,933 a chance to actually sit down with these folks and say, no, 451 00:20:13,666 --> 00:20:14,633 no, no, let me clarify to you exactly what this does and what 452 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:18,700 it does not, then they go, oh, that makes perfect sense. 453 00:20:21,300 --> 00:20:22,066 And so we just need to do more of that, 454 00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:24,733 so I want to thank you for broadcasting that. 455 00:20:26,933 --> 00:20:27,233 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Thank you, Representative Macco, 456 00:20:27,966 --> 00:20:28,533 for taking the time. 457 00:20:31,900 --> 00:20:32,066 Representative Ortiz-Velez, what are the next steps that need 458 00:20:32,666 --> 00:20:33,166 to be done? 459 00:20:35,966 --> 00:20:36,266 I know that after he gets out of the assembly, 460 00:20:37,733 --> 00:20:38,200 it goes to the Senate. 461 00:20:39,466 --> 00:20:40,200 And we are running out of time. 462 00:20:41,466 --> 00:20:42,300 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: We are running out of time. 463 00:20:44,633 --> 00:20:45,166 So if you're listening, please call your senators, 464 00:20:46,900 --> 00:20:47,900 call your assembly representatives, 465 00:20:52,066 --> 00:20:52,333 and tell them that you support all four of the bills because we 466 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:53,233 are running on time. 467 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:54,933 And we need everyone's help. 468 00:20:55,866 --> 00:20:56,600 It's all hands on deck. 469 00:20:57,900 --> 00:20:58,533 I'm hoping we can get this to the finish line. 470 00:21:00,266 --> 00:21:00,933 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Macco, 471 00:21:05,233 --> 00:21:06,266 what happens if these bills run out of time? 472 00:21:13,733 --> 00:21:14,800 Are you in a serious position to reenter for the next session? 473 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:16,333 JOHN MACCO: Sure. 474 00:21:18,166 --> 00:21:19,233 If both Representative Ortiz and I come back next session, 475 00:21:21,233 --> 00:21:22,000 we're fortunate enough to get reelected, we will do it again. 476 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:24,466 Now keep in mind on the Police Parity Bill, 477 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:27,900 we did this last session, too. 478 00:21:29,533 --> 00:21:30,300 This isn't our first stab at it. 479 00:21:34,233 --> 00:21:35,266 So it passed, I think, 98 to 1 last session. 480 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:40,433 And so we moved it out, and it got bogged down in the Senate 481 00:21:40,933 --> 00:21:41,400 again. 482 00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:43,766 And so we ran out of time there in the Senate. 483 00:21:45,033 --> 00:21:45,700 So we're trying one more time. 484 00:21:47,833 --> 00:21:48,400 We're closer now than we were last time. 485 00:21:49,466 --> 00:21:50,333 So hopefully, we can get that done. 486 00:21:54,466 --> 00:21:55,333 But if for some reason we run out of time and it just 487 00:21:58,300 --> 00:21:58,433 doesn't get done, we'll take it up again in January. 488 00:22:00,766 --> 00:22:01,366 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: So Representative Macco has shown 489 00:22:03,166 --> 00:22:04,133 more than one session, time after time, 490 00:22:07,166 --> 00:22:07,300 that he is dedicated to making sure that these bills move 491 00:22:08,233 --> 00:22:08,633 forward. 492 00:22:10,933 --> 00:22:11,700 PATRICIA GOMEZ: So that's guarantee then if this time 493 00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:14,800 things don't work, it will be reintroduced. 494 00:22:16,966 --> 00:22:17,266 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: I have no doubt. 495 00:22:18,233 --> 00:22:18,366 PATRICIA GOMEZ: OK. 496 00:22:18,833 --> 00:22:19,233 So now-- 497 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:20,700 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: His commitment-- 498 00:22:21,633 --> 00:22:22,033 PATRICIA GOMEZ: OK. 499 00:22:22,900 --> 00:22:23,866 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: --and mine. 500 00:22:26,866 --> 00:22:27,066 PATRICIA GOMEZ: How can people follow up the developments with 501 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:28,266 this process? 502 00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:30,966 How can people be paying attention to what is happening 503 00:22:32,066 --> 00:22:32,533 to these bills, Representative Ortiz? 504 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:33,800 Is there a way that they can be-- 505 00:22:35,133 --> 00:22:35,933 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: I think contacting our offices. 506 00:22:38,033 --> 00:22:38,900 My staff is always happy to keep people informed about 507 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:42,433 what's going on because it is consistently moving, 508 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:44,700 so things are consistently changing. 509 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:49,100 So I mean, contacting my office, I know, 510 00:22:51,733 --> 00:22:52,133 my staff would be helpful to explain what's going on, and how 511 00:22:53,966 --> 00:22:54,266 they can help individually. 512 00:22:55,066 --> 00:22:55,600 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Good. 513 00:22:57,166 --> 00:22:57,633 Representative Macco, is there something else that you would 514 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:00,433 like to add to this conversation? 515 00:23:02,666 --> 00:23:03,400 JOHN MACCO: No, I think my colleague is absolutely right. 516 00:23:04,633 --> 00:23:05,566 Folks need to continue to make phone calls, 517 00:23:07,700 --> 00:23:08,666 particularly to the Republican senators and let them know 518 00:23:11,733 --> 00:23:12,533 exactly how important this is in developing our business 519 00:23:14,700 --> 00:23:15,533 community, and that's what we need to get done. 520 00:23:20,133 --> 00:23:20,400 So again, Sylvia and I are running roughshod here 521 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:21,700 on the House side. 522 00:23:24,033 --> 00:23:24,900 And so that's not really where the problem lies. 523 00:23:26,933 --> 00:23:27,966 But we do need to move forward on the Senate side. 524 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:34,066 We're a little bit handicapped now that Senator Taylor has left 525 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:37,966 the Senate and is now in her new position as Judge. 526 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:41,900 So she was an amazing advocate for us over there. 527 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:46,100 And we need to continue to have folks advocate for us 528 00:23:48,566 --> 00:23:49,466 on the Senate side so that we can get these hearings, 529 00:23:51,633 --> 00:23:52,433 that we get them exact, that we get them on the floor, 530 00:23:53,833 --> 00:23:54,500 and then we can get them to the governor to sign. 531 00:23:55,633 --> 00:23:56,500 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Representative Macco, 532 00:23:59,333 --> 00:23:59,933 Representative Ortiz-Velez, we're grateful to have you here 533 00:24:02,033 --> 00:24:02,700 with this very important information, 534 00:24:03,866 --> 00:24:04,400 crucial information for our community. 535 00:24:06,900 --> 00:24:11,900 SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ: Thank you for getting the message out. 536 00:24:16,466 --> 00:24:16,600 PATRICIA GOMEZ: Thank you.