September 13, 2017


Legislature to vote on the 2017-2019 biennial budget

This week, after months of deliberation, the Assembly will convene to approve the 2017-19 biennial budget. At this writing, I am still undecided on the budget, as it is laden with unnecessary and fiscal irresponsible earmarks. Furthermore, this budget exponentially increases the size and influence of state government. I am committed to a smaller, more fiscally prudent government that protects, not violates the liberties of Wisconsinites. The state budget is designed to provide funding for transportation, education and health services, to name a few; not earmarks for specific legislative districts. That said, however, my colleagues and I have worked diligently to ensure the budget we present to Governor Walker best reflects the priorities of Wisconsinites.

Wisconsin's 2017-19 budget contains the largest investment in public education in state history. This proposal provides more than $600 million in funding to classrooms. In total, the state budget make an historic investment of $11.5 billion in public education, a half-billion-dollars of which is allocated to per pupil aid. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, last November, requested an increase of $200 per student in the first year of the biennium and $204 in the second year. Our budget includes these historic investments in public education.

This historic investment in public education is coupled with the expansion of and increased funding for, Wisconsin's school choice program. I am a stalwart defender of school choice, believing that parents should be afforded with the opportunity to send their child to an educational institution that best suits their specific needs.

In an effort to keep college tuition affordable for Wisconsin students and families, the Joint Finance Committee, with the support of Governor Walker, froze undergraduate tuition for a fourth consecutive year. In so doing, Assembly Republicans helped to ensure that a college education is both attainable and affordable for every Wisconsin family.

While the Wisconsin state budget is far from perfect, laden with irresponsible spending and an exponential increase in the size and influence of government, it adequately addresses the priorities of citizens throughout the state: education funding, tax reform, property tax reductions, and transportation infrastructure spending.

 


Interstate-43 repair project


The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, on Monday, September 25, 2017, is scheduled to commence with a maintenance project on Interestate-43 from the Milwaukee/Ozaukee County line to Wisconsin Highway 32. Lane closures will take place in the overnight hours from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., during weekdays, with possible lane and ramp closures during the weekends. During these late-evening closures, a single lane of mainline traffic will remain open in each direction at all times. Consecutive ramp closures will not be occurring. Please note that work restrictions will be in place during special events such as Green Bay Packers home games.

The project will route and seal this ten-mile stretch of freeway, along with interchange ramps. The contractor, Fahner Asphalt Sealers, plans on completing this $494,000 project this fall. This is a routine maintenance project following up on the 2014 resurfacing of the corridor and a continuation of the 2016 route and seal project in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties.

More information on this project can be found on 511 Wisconsin at: https://projects.511wi.gov/43ozauk/

A section of Interstate-43 in Ozaukee County that will be subject to repair


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,


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State Capitol Room 309 North-PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708

(608) 267-2369

Email: Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.Wisconsin.gov