This Week on the Assembly Floor

The Assembly was in session this week and we passed a number of great bills to benefit Wisconsin citizens!

We passed AB 241, which mitigates the drop-off for Wisconsin Shares, the childcare program for low-income working families. This bill removes the benefit cliff that deters and penalizes families who are actively working to improve their situation. We should not be punishing those who are working towards self-reliance and should instead make it easier for them to continue to improve their family's financial situation. I thank Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) for her leadership on this issue.

The Assembly also passed AB 79, which adds juvenile corrections officers to the list of professionals who must report child abuse and neglect. This legislation passed through my Children and Families committee unanimously and I am pleased that it will now head to the Senate where I am hopeful my colleagues will vote to send it on to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

The Joint Finance Committee also additionally approved 911 emergency system modernization funding. This will go a long way to helping our counties and the state to be able to more effectively and efficiently handle emergency situations. Funding will go to implementing the Next Generation 911 system enhancements that will enable people to reach out by phone call, text, or video to emergency services. This is the first crucial step in making sure our emergency technologies are up to speed with today's world.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and  I would like to take the time to thank all of the great educators of the 1st Assembly District and around the state. Teachers serve as some of the most influential role models in a young child's life, often shaping them into the adult they grow up to be. During my 15 years of service on the Sturgeon Bay School Board, I was able to witness firsthand the genuine care teachers have for their students. Wisconsin is blessed to have such talented and dedicated educators! Thank you!

The Real Impact of Foster Care

This week I took part in a program on 'The Real Impact of Foster Care' hosted by Congressman Mike Gallagher. As chairman of the Committee on Children and Families, I have come to appreciate the importance of our state's foster parents and foster care programs. These are incredibly caring people who sacrifice so much in their own lives in order to give these children a chance at a normal life. They certainly do not do it for the meager financial remuneration they receive, and we must continue to look for ways to lighten their load.

Here I am with Congressman Gallagher. Thank you for inviting me!

National Travel and Tourism Week

Wisconsin and our beautiful natural resources continue to be lead the nation in tourism. For six consecutive years, tourism in Wisconsin has grown rapidly, with the tourism economy reaching $20 billion in 2016, a $700 million increase when compared to 2015.

In the last six years, tourism has grown $5.2 billion, a 35% increase! Tourism plays a major role in our state and especially in our district. Door County is one of the top counties in Wisconsin in regards to tourism impacts and we continue to grow! In 2016, visitors spent $347.8 million, up 4.5% from 2015.

It is evident how vital the tourism industry is for our state, and  I will continue to work with Secretary Klett and my colleagues in the Legislature to continue growing our state's tourism industry!