Thank you for taking the time to review my e-update. Yesterday, the Assembly was on the floor for what was likely the final time for the 2017-18 legislative session. I sincerely appreciate everyone who took the time from their busy lives to reach out to me this session and share their thoughts on issues before the legislature. Hearing from the people of the 87th Assembly District helps me to make better decisions on your behalf.
Improving School Safety
Yesterday, the Assembly met in extraordinary session to consider a few different proposals including a package of bills to improve safety in our schools. Among other things this package does the following:
• Establishes Office of School Safety within Department of Justice • Creates $100 million School Safety Grant Program • Requires mandatory reporting of any threats of school violence • Strengthens school safety plan requirements • Encourages cooperation between local law enforcement and schools • Amends the bullying statute to provide prompt parent notification.
Our students and teachers should feel safe in school. The legislation that was approved by the Assembly is a strong step in the right direction and will help provide the needed resources to ensure our schools are a safe place for our teachers to work and our kids to learn and grow.
In addition to the School Safety Package, the Assembly also gave final approval to an important juvenile justice reform proposal with unanimous support. This legislation closes the Lincoln Hills youth prison by 2021 and replaces it with regional juvenile facilities. The Assembly passed this proposal back in February, but the State Senate made minor changes to the bill which the Assembly agreed to yesterday sending the bill to the governor.
Employment First Bill Heads to the Governor
Earlier this week, Assembly Bill (AB) 625 or the Employment First Bill passed the State Senate with unanimous support sending this important bi-partisan legislation to Governor Walker's desk. The idea that became this legislation started about two years ago when I attended a community forum in Medford on employing individuals with disabilities where I learned about the Employment First movement. This movement is the promotion of policies that increase community-based employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Under the Employment First bill, Wisconsin will lead the nation in promoting Employment First policies. I am thrilled that this important legislation is one step closer to becoming law.
To learn more, click here to read the press release on the bill's passage that I distributed with my legislative co-authors, Representative Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) and Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst). You can also read more about this proposal in previous e-updates which are posted on my website.
Giving Another Boost to Rural Schools
Earlier this month, Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill (AB) 835 into law which increases funding for rural schools around our state. Under this new law, nearly every school district in the 87th Assembly District would benefit through increased sparsity aid, an increase in the low revenue adjustment, or both. This increased investment in our rural schools is in addition to the $636 million increase to all schools that was included in the 2017-19 State Budget.
I was happy to join the governor last week on his visit to Rib Lake School District to highlight this great bill and the positive impact that this increased funding will have on rural schools like Rib Lake.
Under the Dome
Wisconsin Hospital Association Advocacy Day
It's always great to see people from back home when I'm in Madison. This week, I met with healthcare leaders including folks from Rusk County Memorial Hospital and Aspirus Medford Hospital as a part of the Wisconsin Hospital Association's Advocacy Day.
Unemployment at All-Time Low
And to start off your weekend on a good note, the Department of Workforce Development announced earlier this week that Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropped to an all-time low of 2.9% in February.
Stay Up to Date
One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison. Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans). You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.
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If you have any thoughts regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
State Capitol Room 109 West - PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0087 or (608) 266-7506 Email: Rep.Edming@legis.wisconsin.gov