Latest news with #Among
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Speaker Among, Malawian delegation discuss regional cooperation
A visiting delegation from the Government of Malawi has paid a courtesy call on the Speaker Anita Among discussing strategies to enhance service delivery among African countries. The delegation led by the Malawi Minister of Justice, Hon. Titus Edward Songiso Mvalo, is in Uganda for a four-day bench-marking visit with Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). Among thanked Songiso and his delegation for identifying Uganda for their bench-marking and emphasised the need for African leaders to learn from each other because of the shared problems, levels of development and traditions. 'I have always told ministers and MPs that if you want to do bench-marking, let us do it from countries where we shall be able to learn something. I am happy you have appreciated what Uganda does,' Among said. 'We cannot go and do bench-marking in New York because there is nothing to borrow from there; you can't turn Uganda into a New York of Africa; African problems are solved locally.' Among urged the Malawian government to continue maintaining cordial relations with Uganda and other African countries to promote trade and investment, regional cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy. 'The Parliament of Uganda looks forward to fostering stronger relations with the Parliament of Malawi to enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation, capacity building and knowledge sharing in areas of parliamentary procedures, legislative drafting and oversight functions,' she said. Among lauded URSB for building robust systems that has facilitated a seamless process of registration of public and private companies, and legal documents. She hopes that the delegation from Malawi finds valuable lessons to take home in terms of laws, regulations and operations of the Bureau. Minister Songiso thanked the Speaker for meeting them at short notice and conveyed compliments from the Malawian Speaker, Catherine Gotani Hara. The meeting was graced by Uganda's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao and URSB officials led by the Registrar General, Mercy Kainobwisho. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daylight saving time in Wisconsin would end under bipartisan bill in state Legislature
Among the legislation introduced in the state Capitol in March addresses a topic that sees yearly debate every fall and spring — doing away with daylight savings. The bill would end daylight saving time in Wisconsin and establish a consistent standard time throughout the year. Federal law allows states that sit entirely in one time zone, like Wisconsin, to forego daylight saving if it's a statewide policy. So far, 14 lawmakers from both parties have signed up in support of the bill. While introduced by Republicans, supporters include one of the Legislature's most liberal members, Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee. The bill authors — Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton — cited research that daylight saving affects mental health and productivity, increases workplace injuries and traffic accidents, and is especially difficult for kids in school. State lawmakers have debated doing away with daylight saving time before, but it's never changed. In 1999, 2001 and 2003, lawmakers wrote resolutions encouraging Congress to make daylight saving time permanent. Some received public hearings but never passed. President Donald Trump has also pushed to end daylight savings. If the bill gets signed into law — a long and difficult process in the Legislature — Wisconsin would join Hawaii and Arizona in no longer observing daylight savings. Several states have seen similar efforts to end the practice. Here's a roundup of other interesting bills lawmakers circulated in March, seeking support from their colleagues. None have received a public hearing or committee votes so far, some of the first steps toward becoming law. This bill would create tax credits to encourage video game production in Wisconsin. Employers are interested in leaving California, lawmakers say, and Wisconsin has an opportunity to attract them and create high-paying jobs. Wisconsin is already home to a handful of video game studios, including Raven Software in Middleton. Similar tax credits have been pitched for filmmakers in Wisconsin, including in Evers' budget proposal. But those bipartisan bills didn't go far in previous sessions, and there was no public hearing for them in 2024. The video game tax credits could see the same outcome. Supporters: Rep. Clint Moses, R-Menomonie; Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point More: Milwaukee has seen a boost in tourism from 'Top Chef' fans Wisconsin courtrooms face a backlog of cases, including divorces and legal separations. After resolving all steps to dissolve a marriage, parties must appear in court for a final hearing — a "formality that can be stressful and time-consuming," the authors argue. The bill allows a signed affidavit instead, if the parties are represented by attorneys or working with an attorney mediator. Some counties used affidavits temporarily during the pandemic with "positive feedback," lawmakers say. The bill doesn't change the legal process for divorce, including the 120-day waiting period and six-month remarriage timeline. Supporters: Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison; Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto More: Milwaukee County has a backlog of court cases. A shortage of court reporters isn't helping. Democrats reintroduced a resolution to declare an Economic Justice Bill of Rights, which includes a job that pays a living wage, adequately funded public education, affordable child care, unions and collective bargaining, accessible health care and a sustainable environment. The resolution is almost certain not to gain Republican support — it's been introduced in 2021 and 2023 and didn't advance. Democrats said they put forward the resolution this year "as a reaffirmation of our commitment to these rights" while working on policy in 2025. Supporters: Reps. Francesca Hong, D-Madison; Angelito Tenorio, D-West Allis; Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee; Angelina Cruz, D-Racine; Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee; Christian Phelps, D-Eau Claire; Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa; Sens. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee; Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick Lawmakers circulated a package of bills aimed at staffing shortages and funding issues affecting emergency medical services providers across Wisconsin. One bill would allow flexibilities for municipalities that choose to work together or consolidate their EMS services. Another provides tuition reimbursement for the cost of initial EMS education through the Wisconsin Technical College System. A third bill creates a pilot program for Live911, which lets dispatchers talk to callers via video. Republicans say they intend to include funding for both in the state budget. Evers also pitched solutions to EMS challenges in his budget, including making it easier for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder to access worker's compensation, an idea Republicans also support. Supporters: Reps. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc; Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville; Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer; Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing; Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls; David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, Sens. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green; Jesse James, R-Thorp; Andre Jacque, R-New Franken More: Rising 9-1-1 call loads, recruitment struggles put Wisconsin fire and EMS agencies on shaky ground, new report says This bill would require restaurants who advertise maple syrup on their menu to serve real maple syrup with the meal, instead of an imitation product. There are no penalties if restaurants don't comply. The bill is intended to support the maple syrup industry in Wisconsin, which produced nearly half a million gallons in 2024. In 2023, the same bill got a public hearing but never made it to a vote. Similar "truth-in-labeling" bills, like one that would prohibit plant-based beverages from being marketed as milk, have not made it to the governor. Wisconsin does have a longstanding law that says restaurants can't substitute margarine for real butter unless the customer asks for it. There are potential fines and jail time, but the law isn't enforced in practice. Supporters: Rep. Tara Johnson, D-Town of Shelby; Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison This bipartisan bill would designate and mark a stretch of U.S. 12 in Lake Delton as the 'Tom Diehl Memorial Highway.' Diehl, who died last year, was the president and co-owner of the Tommy Bartlett waterskiing show. He also served on Lake Delton's village board. "Though Tom has departed from us, his unparalleled influence in building the entertainment community and shaping Wisconsin Dells into the tourism landmark it is today will never be forgotten," lawmakers wrote in a memo seeking support. Other bills naming highways after Wisconsin figures have had success in the Capitol. Evers approved naming 'Corporal Benjamin H. Neal Memorial Highway" in honor of a Orfordville native who died while serving in Afghanistan. Green Bay's Walnut Street Bridge was renamed in honor of Packers legend Bart Starr. Evers vetoed a 2019 bill that would have established criteria for bills seeing to rename a highway or bridge, objecting to "limiting the ability to commemorate those who have made significant contributions to or sacrifices for the people of Wisconsin." Supporters: Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc; Sen. Sarah Keyeski, D-Lodi This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Daylight saving time would end under bipartisan bill in Wisconsin
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa losing US$88 billion in illicit financial flows
Speaker Anita Among has called for a fight against illicit financial flows that see Africa lose an estimated US$88 billion annually. The Speaker made this call while presiding at the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committee (AFROPAC) Conference and Fifth Annual General Meeting at Golden Tulip Hotel, Kampala on Monday, 17 March 2025. 'The impact of this loss has and continues to be felt by our citizenry through foregone health facilities and services, schools, roads, rural electrification and development of natural resources,' Among said. The meeting that will run until Friday, 21 March 2025 is being held under the theme, 'Strengthening Legislative Action to Combat Illicit Financial Flows and Foster Public Financial Resilience'. She commended public accounts committees (PACs) for their contribution towards addressing economic and fiscal mismanagement but called for transparency, good governance and strong institutions, saying these will promote accountability in Africa. Speaker Among added that the Association of African Parliament Speakers will advocate for increased funding to AFROPAC. 'We will take it up and we will support AFROPAC to grow so that we are able to save the money we have as Africa,' she said. AFROPAC's Chairperson who is also the Chairperson, PAC (Central Government) of Parliament of Uganda, Hon. Medard Sseggona underscored the importance of forming collaborations in the fight against illicit financial flows. He commended the African Union, South African Development Community Organisation of PAC (SADCOPAC), West African Association of Public Accounts Committees and East African Association of Public Accounts Committees for their support. 'By collaborating, we can create a united front against those who aim to illegally drain Africa's common wealth and resources. We want to thank the incoming partner, the Global Fund for accepting to work with AFROPAC,' he said. He said that AFROPAC is dedicated to promoting regional and continental cooperation to establish harmonised policies and take joint action. He also urged African parliaments to take bold action against illicit financial flows, calling on governments to increase funding to AFROPAC. 'By the time we conclude this conference, we should have actionable resolutions that will strengthen and enhance public financial oversight and equip our countries with tools needed to effectively combat illicit financial flows,' said Sseggona. The Secretary General of AFROPAC, Hon. Mark Botomani said that ensuring that PAC recommendations are implemented by governments remains a challenge in promoting accountability in Africa. 'The fight against illicit financial flows includes ensuring that public resources are harnessed to sustainable development, economic growth and wellbeing of the citizenry,' Botomani added. AFROPAC, established in 2013, is a Pan-African network of parliamentary oversight committees aiming to promote good governance, accountability, and transparency in public resource management and government operations across the African continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
