On Wednesday, the Committee on State Affairs convened to hold an executive session on two bills heard last week and a public hearing on one bill.
Executive Session:
Assembly Bill 401: relating to exempting 50/50 raffles from license requirements
Assembly Bill 435: relating to incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades
Both AB401 and AB435 passed in their executive session and can now be scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor.
Public Hearing:
Assembly Bill 565: relating to vendors at state correctional institutions
AB565 would require the Department of Corrections to contract with at least three vendors to provide hobby, religious, and other personal items for sale to inmates at state correctional institutions. Furthermore, this bill would ensure that inmates, or a third party on behalf of an inmate, have equal access to all vendors that the DOC contracts with and that at least one vendor offers a storefront in Milwaukee where a third party can place an order to be delivered to an inmate.
This bill is aimed at creating more competition for vendors of correctional institutions, which would ultimately lead to a fairer marketplace, lower prices on goods, and the inclusion of Wisconsin-based companies.
Assembly Committee on Education
Earlier this week, the Assembly Committee on Education held an executive session on the following bills:
Assembly Bill 411: relating to anti-racism and anti-sexism pupil instruction and anti-racism and anti-sexism training for employees of school districts and independent charter schools
Assembly Bill 488: relating to requiring school boards to make information about learning materials and educational activities used for pupil instruction available to the public
Assembly Bill 420: relating to payments to an independent charter school authorized by a tribal college
Assembly Bill 560: relating to required subjects in a human growth and development instructional program
Assembly Bill 561: relating to requiring school boards to report information regarding credit recovery courses
Assembly Bill 562 relating to gender identity and sexual orientation programs in public schools
Assembly Bill 563: relating to required instruction in civic education in the elementary and high school grades; high school graduation requirements; and requiring the exercise of rulemaking authority
Each of these bills passed in their executive session and can now be scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor
Lady Forward & Col. Heg Statues Return
Last year, rioters in Madison tore down statues of Lady Forward and Col. Hans Christian Heg which were both located at the State Capitol. They left the Lady Forward statue in the middle of the street and dumped the Col. Heg statue into Lake Monona.
I am happy to share that earlier this week both statues were restored and returned to their rightful place at the State Capitol, where they should remain as symbols of equality, progress, and perseverance.
Lady Forward is a statue built by sculptress Jean Pond Miner of Menasha, Wisconsin in celebration of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This statue personifies the Wisconsin tradition of progress and devotion, which Miner felt Wisconsin embodied.
Col. Hans Christian Heg was a Norwegian-American immigrant and abolitionist, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War and later died from wounds he received in battle. The statue of Col. Heg symbolizes the significant role Wisconsin played in the Union Army and our state's steadfast tradition of fighting for freedom and equality for all people.
2021 First Responder of the Year Award
We are now accepting applications from the 34th Assembly District for the 2021 First Responder of the Year Award. This award, created in 2019, highlights the incredible work the brave men and women of our emergency services do each and every day to keep our communities safe.
Nominees can include police officers, sheriff's deputies, firefighters or any level of emergency service personnel that exemplifies community service, selflessness, and dedication. One deserving individual will be selected from each Assembly district and invited to the State Capitol in Madison to be formally recognized on the Assembly floor during First Responder's Appreciation Month in October.
Nominations must be submitted to my office no later than Friday, October 8. Please use our online nomination form found here.
Blue Books Have Arrived!
The long wait is over -- 2021-22 Blue Books have arrived!
These biennially published books are a valuable source of information about the State of Wisconsin, legislators, and a historical record of our state government.
If you would like a blue book, please fill out this form on our website.
Beef-A-Rama
This Saturday, September 25, the annual Beef-A-Rama will be taking place in downtown Minocqua!
This fun-filled event will feature herds of creative festival goers dressed in cow-themed costumes, a 10K and 5K Rump Roast Run and Walk, live music, a craft show, a beef eating contest and a cow pie plop. And, of course, there will be plenty of beef foods to feast on!
For more information about this event, please visit the Let's Minocqua website.
Fall Color Report
Photo Courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Fall is officially here and there's no better place to watch the trees turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow than in the Northwoods.
Forests across the 34th Assembly District are expected to reach their peak colors in the next couple of weeks.
If you would like to know when the trees in your community will reach peak colors, please visit the Fall Color Report.
Deer Archery and Crossbow Season
Photo Courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Deer archery and crossbow season has arrived.
This year's season will take place from September 18 to January 9.
I hope all deer hunters have an enjoyable and safe hunting season! For more information on the deer bow hunt, please visit the Go Wild website.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
On Wednesday, the Committee on State Affairs convened to hold an executive session on two bills heard last week and a public hearing on one bill.
Earlier this week, the Assembly Committee on Education held an executive session on the following bills:
Last year, rioters in Madison tore down statues of Lady Forward and Col. Hans Christian Heg which were both located at the State Capitol. They left the Lady Forward statue in the middle of the street and dumped the Col. Heg statue into Lake Monona. 
Col. Hans Christian Heg was a Norwegian-American immigrant and abolitionist, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War and later died from wounds he received in battle. The statue of Col. Heg symbolizes the significant role Wisconsin played in the Union Army and our state's steadfast tradition of fighting for freedom and equality for all people. 
We are now accepting applications from the 34th Assembly District for the 2021 First Responder of the Year Award. This award, created in 2019, highlights the incredible work the brave men and women of our emergency services do each and every day to keep our communities safe.
The long wait is over -- 2021-22 Blue Books have arrived!
This Saturday, September 25, the annual Beef-A-Rama will be taking place in downtown Minocqua!
