Similar Budgets 

If you've read or watched most media reports lately, I wouldn't blame you if you thought the Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers have been unable to find any common ground on the 2019-21 state budget.

But, as a recent article by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points outs, the two-year spending plan that has been put forward by the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee shares many of the same priorities as Gov. Evers' proposed budget.

While the priorities between the two budget proposals are quite similar, I believe that the budget from JFC is far more fiscally responsible and sustainable. I cannot support a budget that depends on the level of borrowing and tax increases that the governor proposed.

When looking at education, Gov. Evers' budget incorporates many of the final recommendations that came from the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding, of which I was the co-chairman. Under the Joint Finance Committee's budget, public schools will also see an increase of $500 million over the next two years, or $604 per student.

If you would like to see how much more in funding your school district will be receiving, please click on this link to view an interactive map.

Similar to Gov. Evers' budget, the Joint Finance Committee's spending plan also provides the largest increase for roads in recent years, earmarks nearly $2 billion for building projects and gives the middle-class a tax cut of more than $300 million. Furthermore, the Joint Finance Committee's budget commits more funding than Gov. Evers for nursing homes, personal care workers, Family Care direct care givers and aids for children and families.

Once we pass the budget, it goes on to Gov. Evers for his signature. Wisconsin’s governor has the most powerful line-item veto powers in the country. His choices are to sign it as is, use his line-item veto power and sign it or veto the entire thing. No governor has ever vetoed an entire budget, which would trigger a great deal of government disruption. Given the level of compromise that went into the 2019-21 state budget, I would hope he would not consider that option.

The budget is a very long and complex document. I am not satisfied with every single item in the budget, but the same holds true for the governor and all of my legislative colleagues. Overall, however, I think it is a good budget that will improve the lives of Wisconsinites.

The Assembly and Senate are expected to vote on the budget next week.

Report Card Bill

I am extremely excited to share with you that the Wisconsin State Assembly passed my bill this week that requires the Department of Public Instruction to include the percentage of students participating in the arts on the annual school and school district accountability report cards.

Study after study has proven that students who are engaged in the arts in school experience better pupil attendance and greater achievements in other subjects. Because I represent a district that has one of the most active arts communities in Wisconsin, I have seen firsthand the impact this industry has on tourism and our region’s quality of life. 

Assembly Bill 67 will help promote the arts by requiring the annual school and school district accountability report cards to list the percentage of students taking part in courses that feature music, dance, drama and visual arts.

The arts data will be included on the report cards for informational purposes only and not be considered in a district’s accountability calculations. However, I believe it is important that the state provides this transparency so local communities will be more inclined to better understand and support what their schools are offering.

When school districts face budget challenges, the arts are frequently the first courses to be cut. I hope that school districts will use the report card data internally so they may compare their participation with other districts and make appropriate decisions. 

If our students begin to lose interest in the arts, we risk the chance of negatively impacting our economy, as well as our state’s culture and creativity.

According to the latest available statistics, the state’s nonprofit arts and cultural sector generates nearly $555 million annually in residential household income and $40.5 million in state government revenue and helps support 27,000 full-time jobs.

My report card legislation still needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by the governor before it can become state law. 

If you are interested in seeing what other bills were passed by the Assembly this week, please click here.

                       DNR Water Grants

I want to make sure all of you are aware that the comment period to provide public input on a proposed administrative rule governing the Department of Natural Resources' Surface Water Grant Program will expire on July 24.

 This is an especially important initiative that helps organizations and local units of government protect and restore lakes, rivers and wetlands. The program, which spends $6.5 million annually, is also used to control aquatic invasive species.

According to the DNR, the rule that is up for public comment would clarify certain policies and is designed to support better and more cost-effective environmental outcomes that serve local needs and advance department management objectives for state surface waters. More information can be found by clicking on this link.

Written comments can be submitted by mail to Alison Mikulyuk, Department of Natural Resources, 101 S Webster St., Madison, WI 53703. Comments can also be emailed to Alison.Mikulyuk@Wisconsin.gov or DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov.

If you would like to receive updates on the DNR's Surface Water Grant Program, you can sign up for an electronic newsletter by clicking here.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Door County Wine Fest
Where: Sunset Park, 747 N. Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, June 22, at 12 p.m.
Details: "12pm. VIP event begins with access to general tasting area at 12:30pm. 1pm. General admission begins. New location, different weekend, better layout, lots of fun. Enjoy unlimited tasting of award-winning wines and relaxing music. Food available for purchase. Limited tickets available. Early purchase recommended. $40/ticket, in advance. $50/ticket, at the gate. $75/VIP ticket. $15/designated driver."

What: Paddlefest
Where: Waterfront Park,  Sister Bay, WI
When: Saturday, June 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Details: "Check out the newest kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Sister Bay’s Paddlefest at Waterfront Park on Saturday June 22nd from 9:30am-1:00pm. Demonstrations and free use of kayaks and paddleboards will be provided by Bay Shore Outfitters. The beachfront rental site will be open from 1:00-5:00pm."

What: Algoma Car Show
Where: Downtown District, Steel Street, Algoma, WI
When: Saturday, June 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: "Come see classic and collector cars, trucks and motorcycles on display in downtown Algoma along Steele Street. Participant Registration: 7:30-11:30AM, Armed Forces Day Salute: 11:30AM, Judging starts at 11:30AM, Trophies Awarded: 2:30PM. The show is sponsored by Community Improvement of Algoma."