I want to begin this week’s edition of News from Nancy by thanking you for subscribing to these email updates. As I’ve shared many times before, your input and engagement is so important to everything I do and everything we do in the Legislature. I hope that these updates serve as a valuable informational tool for you, and help you get an idea of things happening throughout the 70^th Assembly District and also across the state.
 
Last week I had the chance to address the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association down in Madison (pictured above). If you’re not familiar, the association represents more than 70 Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (local telephone companies), Internet Service Providers, and Wireless Carriers. I really enjoyed the chance to speak with members of the association in part because the organizations that are members of the association are really the ones that are on the front lines delivering the internet and connectivity services we depend on in the more sparsely populated parts of our state. That’s really important work. I had a chance to share with them some of the positive things we’ve gotten done down in Madison this session related to advancing technology and connectivity access all across the state, including:
 

• Increasing funding for the Broadband Expansion Grant program by over $20 million
• Passing a budget package that updates existing outdated 911 infrastructure systems from analog to digital, and
• Passing Telecommuter Forward legislation that helps municipalities market the availability of telecommuter access in their communities (Especially exciting because of those of you who shared with me how important telecommuting is to families at Fort McCoy!!)

Here’s a link to a recent opinion column I put out with a bit more information on the event and some of the things I’ve supported in the legislature this session related to improving connectivity in our area: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/70/vandermeer/media/1250/vandermeer-column-bringing-technology-home-030918.pdf
 
The Attorney General was recently in Portage County for another community round table meeting (pictured below). Attorney General Schimel has been holding round table discussions throughout the state and throughout the 70^th Assembly District for a number of weeks. The discussions are always insightful and a good opportunity to hear from community members and law enforcement personnel first-hand about local challenges.
 
Earlier this week, the Governor signed legislation that increases aid for rural schools across the state and throughout the 70^th Assembly District. It’s great news and I’m ecstatic that we were able to get this legislation passed! Assembly Bill 835 is especially unique because it addresses some of the inequities that exist in the current school funding formula. Specifically, sparsity aid and the low-revenue adjustment are addressed. This legislation increases the low revenue adjustment or increases sparsity aid for school districts throughout the 70^th, including the:

• Black River Falls School District
• Nekoosa School District
• Pittsville School District
• Sparta School District
• Stevens Point Area School District, and the
• Tomah Area School District

Also, related, the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on school funding will meet this coming Monday in La Crosse. The Commission is currently in the process of holding public hearings across the state. I believe we’re very fortunate that this group has been formed. The Commission is charged with examining the complex way that schools are funded currently, looking for ways to improve the way our schools are funded, and searching for ways to bring more consistency and equity as it relates to school funding across the state. For more information on Monday’s hearing or the commission itself, please check out the Commission’s website here:  http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/committees/joint/brc-sf/
 
Last but surely not least, I really enjoyed the chance to visit Tim Neubauer Trucking recently in Sparta (pictured below). Thank you Tim, Al and company for the outstanding hospitality. The visit was timely because I’m currently working with them and other milk haulers to take a look at some of the hourly restrictions that are placed on their work. As you know, milk production and milk hauling is a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year pursuit, and I’m seeing what we can do to work with some of our state agencies to align some of the restrictions placed on their work with what’s practical for them and what benefits us as taxpayers and consumers.

Please continue to utilize my legislative website, legis.wisconsin.gov/
assembly/70/vandermeer, and follow Rep. Nancy VanderMeer on Facebook to communicate with me and receive up to date information and communication.

 
Sincerely,

Nancy VanderMeer
70th Assembly District Representative

Did you know?

That Tourism is one of the state's top industries.

In 2016, tourism spending in Wisconsin grew for the seventh straight year as direct visitor spending statewide grew 3.3 percent to $12.3 billion, while the number of visitors rose 2.3 percent to nearly 108 million people, according to the results of an annual study commissioned by the state.

 

 

If you and your family are starting to make plans for this coming spring and summer, the state's Department of Tourism website is a great resource.

You can search for events throughout the state, order specific guides based on your interests, review trip deals and discounts throughout the state, and more!

To see for yourself, click on the graphic above or go to:
 http://www.travelwisconsin.com