Inauguration Day!

Inauguration Day means different things to many people.

For me, it symbolizes a clean slate and evokes a renewed sense of optimism and hope.

But, more importantly, it reminds me how fortunate and grateful I am that the residents of the 1^st Assembly District continue to put their trust in me to be their voice at the state Capitol. I am excited to work hard on your behalf over the next two years to bring forward solutions that will make the lives of all Wisconsinites better.

Having said that, we must all understand that the Assembly will face many challenging obstacles this legislative session since this is the first time we’ve had a divided government in nearly a decade. Without compromise, we will certainly accomplish nothing.

I know my constituents did not send me to Madison to let “partisan politics” get in the way of progress. While I will always stand up for what I believe is best for my district and will never compromise my principals, I vow to find common ground with Governor Tony Evers and his administration whenever possible.

I wish Governor Evers well in his new role, and look forward to continuing my track record of reaching across the aisle to draft legislation and assist our residents. I expect to meet with the governor in the very near future to discuss the final recommendations of the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding. I am confident the governor will be supportive of several of our proposals to improve educational opportunities across the state.

I hope the Blue Ribbon Commission can serve as an example of how both Republicans and Democrats can work together in a bipartisan manner when dealing with vital issues. I pledge to take that same approach throughout the entire legislative session. It’s what my constituents expect of me and what I must demand of myself. 

In the spirit of this, I have signed on to a letter welcoming Governor Evers which also lists issue areas that the Republican caucus looks forward to working with him on. If you would like to view this letter, click here.

Final Report

I am extremely pleased to release to you the final report of the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding.

The report includes a lot of meaningful recommendations that have been supported by both Republicans and Democrats and will go a long way toward providing our students with the resources they need to succeed.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to turn these recommendations into legislation. 

 You can read the report here.

Resources to Stay Up to Date

With the 2019-20 session just getting underway, I thought it would be the perfect time to remind everyone of the tools that are available to make following the legislative process easier and more transparent.

If you would like to know more about what is going on in the 1^st Assembly District or at the state Capitol in Madison, you can always visit my legislative website here. There you will be able to read my press releases, sign up for my e-updates, access my social media pages and learn of constituent services that are offered by the state. You can also keep up-to-date on all the bills I will be working on this session by clicking here.

Legislation from all other Wisconsin lawmakers can be found by using the search menu on the following page.

Members of the Assembly and Senate are expected to meet hundreds of times over the next two years for session days and committee meetings. To view calendars for these session days and committee meetings, please click here and here, respectively.

Most session days and committee meetings are recorded live by WisconsinEye and can be viewed by clicking here.

Because legislative procedures can oftentimes be difficult to follow and understand, you can learn more about how everything works by reading “How a Bill Becomes Law” and “A Citizen’s Guide to Participation in the Wisconsin State Legislature.”

If you are having trouble navigating through any of these sites, please contact my office at (608) 266-5350 or Rep.Kitchens@legis.wi.gov. Either my staff or I will be happy to walk you through the process.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Door County Talks
Where: Door County Community Auditorium, 3924 Hwy 42, Fish Creek, WI
When: Saturday, January 12, at 10:00 am
Details: "Building Community & Common Ground through the Arts, presented by Kelli Strickland, Executive & Artistic Director, Weidner Center. This session examines the role that the fine and performing arts can play in building civic pride, bridging differences and healing community trauma. Free-will donations appreciated."

What: Winter Farmers Market
Where: 2392 Cty F, Baileys Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, January 12, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Details: "Browse great local vendors' home made wares, food, and health and beauty products."

What: Story Hour & Kids Yoga
Where: Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, January 12, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Details: "Experience children's literature that highlights compassion while incorporating movement and mindfulness. This session: "I am Yoga" by Susan Verde. Simple poses and breathing strategies for relaxation are introduced. Free."