Happy Easter!

I would like to wish everyone in the 1^st Assembly District a very Happy Easter.

Instead of encouraging you to spend some quality time with family, loved ones and friends over the weekend, I thought it would be more fun to share with you some interesting facts about the holiday you may not know:

• Americans spend $1.9 billion on Easter candy every year. That’s the second largest candy holiday after Halloween.
• About 70 percent of all Easter candy that is purchased is made of chocolate.
• Americans buy more than 700 million marshmallow Peeps during Easter, which makes those sugary treats the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy.
• Egg dyes were once made out of natural items such as onion peels, tree bark, flower petals and juices.
• The term Easter gets its name from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess who symbolizes the hare and the egg.

If you still have a sweet tooth after reading those facts, there are plenty of Easter-related activities for you to attend over the weekend in both Door County and Kewaunee County. More information can be found here and here. A couple of Easter egg hunts are also featured in the events section at the bottom of the e-update.

Legislative Update 

Even with the Easter holiday right around the corner, the state Capitol was still bustling with activity this week. In addition to meeting with several constituents and stakeholders to learn more about their priorities, I was fortunate enough to have several of my bills advance through the legislative process. I also had the immense pleasure of leading a tour of the Capitol for a local school. Please see below for more details:

• I was honored to testify in front of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on SB 125, which authorizes the use of $5.2 million in authorized but unobligated Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funding to complete critical health- and safety-related projects in our high-demand state parks.

I spoke about the importance of state parks to our district and how we need to ensure the well-being of our park system’s 17 million annual visitors by making these much-needed water infrastructure upgrades.

SB 125 would benefit Peninsula State Park in Door County by setting aside $1.4 million to replace the large toilet and shower facility at the Tennison Bay Campground, which is more than 50 years old. 

• AB 66, my bill that would help promote the arts and spur economic development by establishing a creative economy development initiative grant program, was passed by the Assembly Committee on Community Development by a vote of 7-2. 

The legislation provides $500,000 over the next two-year budget cycle to the Department of Tourism’s Arts Board to administer as creative economy grants to non-profits, businesses, local governments and business development associations. The bill is now available to be voted on by the full Assembly. 

• By a vote of 15-1, the Assembly Committee on Education passed AB 67, my bill that would require the state Department of Public Instruction to include the percentage of students participating in music, dance, drama and visual arts on the annual school and school district accountability report cards. Numerous studies have proven that students who participate in the arts in school experience better pupil attendance and greater achievements in other subjects. 

Although the arts data would be included on the report cards for informational purposes only, I still believe it’s vital that we provide this transparency so local communities will be more inclined to better understand and support what their schools are offering. I also hope that school districts will use this information internally so they can compare their participation with other districts and make appropriate decisions. The data could also be used to better inform the voting public during referendum discussions. The bill can now advance to the full Assembly for a vote. 

• It was an honor to lead a tour of the state Capitol for nearly 40 students, parents and teachers from Gibraltar Elementary School in Fish Creek.

Our guests had a great time as we visited the rotunda and the chambers of the Supreme Court, Assembly and Senate. We were also lucky enough to be able to access the observatory deck where you can get some rather impressive views of downtown Madison. In fact, we were the first people allowed up there in 2019.

If you are interested in participating in a tour of our statehouse the next time you’re in Madison, please contact my office or click on this link.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Easter Egg Hunt
Where: 2392 Cty F, Baileys Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m.
Details: "Enjoy an egg hunt, games, crafts, and a meeting with the Easter Bunny. For ages 6 and under."

What: Easter Egg Hunt
Where: The Hollyhock House & Gardens, 1408 Dodge St., Kewaunee, WI
When: Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Details: "Visit The Hollyhock House & Gardens on Easter for an Easter Egg Hunt to benefit the Lakeshore Community Food Pantry. The event will be held rain, shine, sleet or snow! Festivities will go under a tent if needed due to the weather."

What: Door County Film Festival
Where: Mink River Basin, 12010 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay, WI
When: Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 8 p.m.
Details: "Enjoy 20+ films and free popcorn. $10/person."