Since 2011, the legislature has reduced the tax burden on hardworking Wisconsin families by more than $8 billion. In so doing, Wisconsin raced from 9th to 22nd in overall tax burden, outpacing all but two states in improving our standing. Wisconsin's overall tax burden, as a percentage of personal income, is now below the national average and our ranking against other states is the highest it has been in more than fifty years.

2017-2018 Wisconsin State Blue Book now available

Everyone's favorite almanac of state government, the Wisconsin State Blue Book, is now available. Published biennially since 1853, the Wisconsin State Blue Book is the oldest publication in Wisconsin. Initially, the Wisconsin State Blue Book served as a manual for the State Assembly, a pocket-size volume of less than 100 pages, and designed for legislators to have information about state government at their fingertips.

According to the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, the principal authors of the venerable publication, "Over the decades, the Blue Book evolved in size, scope, and purpose. The Blue Book's many iterations were caused by the increased availability of information about state government and the public. By 2015, the Blue Book exceeded 1,000 pages and was laden with dense statistical information that history buffs and political junkies would find engrossing; everyday citizens, conversely, would find this information uninteresting. The newly-revised State of Wisconsin Blue Book is designed to provide everyday citizens with enthralling content about Wisconsin history and government.

Recognizing that the Blue Book was becoming too lengthy and dense, the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau undertook a Herculean effort: revamping this esteemed repository of information about our state and its history. The 2017-2018 Wisconsin State Blue Book is intended to serve as an introduction to state and local government, not the primary source for information regarding these entities. More substantive and timely information about state government can be accessed through the Internet than could ever be accessed by a team of researchers tasked with penning a treatise. Recognizing this, the 2017-2018 Blue Book contains biographies of all legislators, descriptions of executive and judicial agencies, and statistics on Wisconsin government and elections. It does not, however, reproduce information that is archaic, or can be more easily obtained and accurately elsewhere.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the 2017-2018 Wisconsin State Blue Book, please contact my office with your name and address. My staff and I will make it a priority to ensure that your copy arrives in a timely manner.

Wisconsin State Capitol Centennial Gala

As many of you are keenly aware, 2017 marks the one-hundredth anniversary of Wisconsin's third state capitol building. In honor of this anniversary, the Wisconsin Historical Foundation is throwing a once-in-a-lifetime gala to benefit the Capitol Restoration Fund. You can learn more about this event and purchase tickets, if you are interested in attending, by clicking on the image below:

Listening Sessions

On Friday, October 20, 2017, I will accompany United States Representative Jim Sensenbrenner at his third round of office hours for 2017, in the 60th Assembly District. Representative Sensenbrenner will host two half-hour listening sessions to respond to constituent inquiries, questions, and concerns affecting Wisconsin.

Representative Sensenbrenner and I will visit the following locations on October 20, 2017:

9:00-9:20 a.m.: Newburg Village Hall--614 Main Street, Newburg.

11:45-12:15 a.m.: Jackson Village Hall--N168W20733 Main Street, Jackson

Participating in a town hall meeting with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner

Fall Color Report

Believe it or not, fall is in full swing--the temperatures however, are more akin to those of summer. If you are making plans to take a trip before winter commences, be sure to take full advantage of the "Fall Color Report." The "Fall Color Report" is published by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and tracks the locations of the most colorful leaves in the state. There are 100 fall color reporters across Wisconsin who provide the Department of Tourism with updates regarding all 72 counties.

Currently, Ozaukee County is at thirty-five percent color and expected to peak in the second week of October. Washington County, at this writing, is at twenty-five percent color and expected to peak in the third week of October.

Do not miss out on the beautiful fall scenery Wisconsin has to offer.

Wisconsin State Capitol Centennial Essay and Art contest

The Wisconsin State Capitol Centennial Commission is seeking student entries for an art and essay contest celebrating the Wisconsin State Capitol's 100th birthday. Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to submit either an essay or piece of artwork, which details or symbolizes the Wisconsin State Capitol and the role it plays in fostering democracy. Essays should be no longer than one-page in length and either typed or legibly written. Art projects should be two-dimensional, constructed using non-breakable material, and no larger than twenty-four-by-thirty inches. Furthermore, art projects must be mountable to a board or on canvass that is already attached to a wooden frame for display on an easel.

The Commission will select from among all entries, one essay and one art project from each grade. Winning essays and art projects will be displayed on the first floor of the Wisconsin State Capitol, this fall, from November 9th-30th. What is more, winning entries will be recognized by Governor Walker and retained by the Wisconsin State Historical Society. All entries will receive a certificate acknowledging submission. Projects not selected or retained by the Wisconsin State Historical Society, will be returned to students.

Wisconsin's State Capitol Centennial Commission began accepting entries September 1, 2017. All entries must be received by October 13, 2017. Please include for each contest submission: the participant's name and grade level, name of the participant's primary educator and educational institution, and contact information for the educational institution in which the entrant is enrolled.

Submissions should be sent to the following:

Wisconsin State Senate Chief Clerk, Post Office Box 7882 Madison, Wisconsin 53707.

For more information about the State Capitol Combative Commission and the Wisconsin Capitol Building, please visit: http://capitol100th.wisconsin.gov

Have a great week,

Stay up to date

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