My heart is with the suffering in Milwaukee— families of those injured and lost, those traumatized, and the first responders who put their lives on the line for our community.
This Week
Lincoln Elementary School Visit with Governor Evers
On Wednesday, I welcomed Governor Tony Evers to Lincoln Elementary School in Wauwatosa as he promoted using the budget surplus in the state to fund public education and provide property tax relief.
I believe the moment we have before us is bigger than competing tax cut plans. When I talk to my friends and neighbors in Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee, I hear concerns about the lack of mental health resources in our schools and our schools not having the funding they need to create opportunity for all.
Governor Evers’ plan meets the moment to address the mental health care needs in our schools. Governor Evers’ plan meets the moment to ensure those with special needs are given the resources they need to be successful. Governor Evers’ plan meets the moment by increasing equalization aid across Wisconsin so our local school districts are not continued being asked to do more with less.
I was there to meet the Governor at this moment, in a school, because this is where our funding needs to be invested. On Tuesday, Republicans literally and figuratively gaveled out of this conversation, but that’s not stopping me from fighting for the needs of our teachers, our administrators, our students, and our schools. Thankfully, that’s not stopping our Governor, either.
Governor Evers said that he is willing to come to the table on this plan and provide an income tax cut, provide even more property tax relief, and pay off more of the state’s debt. He said that the plan does not have to be his plan — he does not need the credit. However, the plan for the state surplus must include funding for schools — this is an absolute must for our governor. So, let’s meet at the moment and come to the table for our state. I’m ready— let’s go!
Read my full statement here. Watch the full press event here.
Following the news conference, Gov. Evers and I were invited to visit a few classrooms at Lincoln to see the construction work that is happening (and will be finished by September!) and check out what the students were up to.
Thank you to Principal Miner for showing us around, to the students in each classroom who asked thoughtful questions and made sure to continue their work uninterrupted, and to the teachers and faculty who were so welcoming to myself and Gov. Evers!
Community Meetings
My staff met with students from Brookfield East and Brookfield Central High Schools on Monday at East. These students are a part of “Hope Squad,” a peer-to-peer suicide prevention support group. The State Legislature passed and Governor Evers signed into law a bill, 2019 Wisconsin Act 83, to provide funding to peer-to-peer support programs like Hope Squad.
The students spoke about their experiences with the program and how Hope Squad has taught them skills to reduce stigma around mental health issues and provide support to their friends and peers. These two chapters are the first in Wisconsin, and they are helping train other schools in the area to start programs. I’m proud of the maturity and empathy that these students show, it’s truly inspiring.
To learn more about the Hope Squad program, visit hopesquad.com
On Monday, the Milwaukee Delegation of state legislators met with MPS superintendent, members of MTEA, and other MPS faculty to learn more about the proposed referendum for MPS.
To learn more, visit: mpsreferendum.com
Meeting in Middle America Podcast
Last week, a new national podcast launched, hosted by Brookfield native Steven Olikara, and yours truly was one of the bipartisan duo with Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) on last week’s episode. Let me know what you think!
Watch or listen here!
Looking Forward
Community Events
The Next Town Hall
Because February was suddenly determined to be the early end to the 2019-2020 session, we have experienced a significant uptick in committee hearings and floor session dates. This has required us to reschedule the February town hall.
Thank you for your understanding, and we will touch base in March with further information.
In-District Office Hours
We look forward to hosting more in-district office hours with constituents! Let us know if you want to schedule an appointment for our next office hours- date and location TBD.
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