For Immediate Release
March 28, 2018
Contact: Rep. James Edming
(608) 266-7506
Rep. Edming’s Employment First Bill Becomes Law
Makes Wisconsin a national leader in promoting policies that assist people with disabilities find community-based employment
MADISON – Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill (AB) 625 also known as the Employment First Bill into law today. This bi-partisan legislation was authored by Representatives James Edming (R-Glen Flora) and Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) and Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst). The Employment First movement is the promotion of policies that encourage competitive integrated employment (CIE). CIE is the employment of individuals with disabilities in a workplace in the community working alongside people without a disability.
“Many individuals with disabilities want nothing more than to work at a job out in the community,” said Rep. Edming. “The Employment First policies that are promoted by this bill will make Wisconsin a national leader in assisting people with disabilities in finding community-based employment.”
Rep. Edming was joined at today’s bill signing by a group of constituents from the Medford School District’s SOAR Program and Black River Industries.
“The idea that became the Employment First Bill started at a community discussion in Medford a couple of years ago about employing people with disabilities,” said Rep. Edming. “I was thrilled to have some of the very same people in the room today as Governor Walker signed this bill into law. This bill is proof that some of the very best bill ideas come directly from the people of Wisconsin.”
The Employment First Bill was signed into law as 2017 Act 178.
