April 12, 2018

Working for you!
 

Final E-Update Until January
Now that the legislative session has wrapped and political campaigns are starting up, state law prohibits legislative offices from sending out any more than 50 of the same communication to constituents after April 15th in order to ensure that campaigns and state work don't overlap. That means this will be my last e-update to you until after the general election in November.

Even though we can't continue to send out our regular weekly emails, my staff and I will still be hard at work vetting ideas for future legislation, holding state agencies accountable, and most importantly, helping constituents like you whenever you need assistance.

To keep up with me and the work I'm doing for you, be sure to follow me here and never hesitate to reach out personally. I always appreciate hearing from you!

UW Research in the Rotunda

Each year hundreds of undergraduate students enrolled in UW System campuses across the state flock to the Capitol to discuss the research they are conducting.

I also had the opportunity to give an address to UW-Madison alumni about the importance of higher education and its future in our state.

UW-Fox Valley student Eric McDaniel and I are discussing his research on the impacts of 2013 public school closures on Chicago communities. The stickers on my hand are courtesy of my grandson, who I spent the morning with!

UW-Oshkosh students discussing their research on the nature of language and the effects of acid.

UW-Stevens Point students popped up to my office to share their research on designing porous solids with me.

Welfare Reform

On Tuesday, the Governor signed into law our welfare reform package. Our nine critical reforms will transform Wisconsin's social safety net into an elevator to workforce success. Here are some highlights from the package:

  • Able bodied individuals in the Foodshare program without dependants will now gain 80 hours per month of employment and training program experience, the maximum under federal law.
  • Individuals utilizing the Foodshare program with school aged dependants who are at least six years old will also be provided with either on-the-job experience or a workforce development course.

  • Public housing authorities are now empowered to assist in developing employment plans for individuals in public housing.

  • A pilot program has been created to provide periodic payments of the earned income tax credit, instead of providing it in a lump sum.

  • Organizations that contract with the state to provide public benefits will now have an incentive to produce the best results for our citizens through performance-based payment systems.

Autism Awareness and Acceptance
April has been proclaimed Autism Awareness month by the Governor. In honor of the proclamation, Senator Roth and I addressed advocates and families impacted by autism at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Learn more about improving the lives of everyone impacted by autism in Wisconsin by visiting the Autism Society here: http://www.asw4autism.org/

Youth Apprenticeships Expanded
This morning, I was at the bill signing in Ashwaubenon expanding youth apprenticeships for high school seniors. The new law will allow students to gain on the job training in their last year if they attend a qualifying high school. The program will begin in 2018-19. These students will complete at least 450 hours of on the job training and earn course credit for their work.

Supporting Families

I was thrilled to meet with family advocates from the Fox Valley Early Childhood Coalition.

Tax Freedom Day April 19 in Wisconsin
Tax Freedom Day is the first day of each calendar year when the people of our state as a whole have earned enough to cover taxes for the year and begin to earn income for themselves, instead of the government. This year, Wisconsin's Tax Freedom Day will be celebrated on April 19th! Our date is pretty close to our Iowan and Michigander neighbors but far earlier (and better) than the folks living in Minnesota and Illinois.

You can see where all the other states land on the map below, courtesy of the Tax Foundation.

A Year of Great Accomplishments

This session has been incredibly successful for the state and our community. You may have received my spring newsletter in the mail highlighting many of those accomplishments, but if you haven't yet you can read it below:

Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website or  https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/ and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I have a Facebook page so I can continually engage with you on important topics facing the state. Please like it by clicking here!

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.

"Like" Representative Murphy's

Official Facebook Page

 

Welcome!

I live in Greenville, but have an office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda, and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318 North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my office contact information.

If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol building, please let me know in advance. I'd love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a group photo.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

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Rep.Murphy@legis.wisconsin.gov State Capitol Room 318 North - PO Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 Toll Free: (888) 534-0056 or (608) 266-7500