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Press Releases

  • Promising Jobs Numbers
    Wisconsin has gained over 60,000 private sector jobs in the last two years, compared to the Doyle administration that lost nearly 134,000 jobs over his final term.
  • WEDC
    the co-chairs of the state’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), issued the following statement regarding the Executive Session
  • Donate Life Wisconsin
    Last week, the Joint Finance Committee voted to add a question to driver’s license and identification card applications as to whether the applicant wishes to voluntarily contribute an additional $2 to support the efforts of Donate Life Wisconsin.
 

News

  • State Budget Process
    There are a lot of Wisconsin residents that know very little about how their hard earned tax dollars are spent. In this column, I would like to give you a quick tutorial on how the state budget process works.
  • Mining Bill Won't Affect Flood Insurance
    Wisconsin residents were led to believe that mining legislation would put communities at risk of losing National Flood Insurance Program coverage. This idea came from comments made by a Federal Emergency Management Agency official in an email...
  • Mining for Jobs in the Badger State
    Wisconsin has a long, proud history when it comes to mining. Mining has contributed greatly to our economy, providing families a stable source of income well before Wisconsin reached statehood. What was true in the past could become a reality today....
 
 
Topics of the week:
Green Bay Lands Tournaments
Assembly Approves "Wisconsin Wins" Program
Service Contract Legislation Introduced
Green Bay Lands Tournaments
 
I am pleased to announce that the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) made the decision this week to move the Boys and Girls High School State Basketball Championships to Green Bay as early as next year.
 
Due to scheduling conflicts with the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Kohl Center, where the WIAA Championships are currently being played, the WIAA was forced to seek other alternatives. 
 
Representative Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) and I were proud to have joined the Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau in meeting with the WIAA in Stevens Point earlier this month to make the case for the move on behalf of the Green Bay community.
 
Green Bay and the Resch Center are an ideal location for the event and a perfect place to showcase the talents of Wisconsin’s student–athletes.  I applaud the WIAA for recognizing all the area has to offer and look forward to the tournaments debut.
 
 
 Assembly Approves “Wisconsin Wins” Program
 This week the Wisconsin State Assembly approved legislation creating a “Wisconsin Wins” pilot program that will offer voluntary on the job training for individuals receiving unemployment benefits.  The bill encourages business to retrain dislocated workers and gives job-seekers the ability to learn new skills without losing their unemployment eligibility.
 
Under the proposal, Wisconsinites receiving unemployment benefits will take part-time occupational training jobs with employers, potentially leading to full-time employment.  The pilot program will be administered by the Department of Workforce Development and will allow current job seekers to receive training and demonstrate their skill for potential employers.
 
I am proud to have joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in support of this legislation.  This collaborative effort to match job seekers with job opportunities is a win for Wisconsin workers and employers.
 
 
Service Contracts Legislation Introduced
 
When you or I purchase a product often times we are asked if we would like to purchase a separate contract to cover the service, repair or replacement of that product in case of internal defect or malfunction.  The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is responsible for the enforcement of these types of service contracts.
 
Under current state law, there is no defined framework for these contracts.  This has lead to inconsistencies when determining if an agreement is a service contract and what is covered under that agreement.  Ultimately, this creates uncertainty in the marketplace for businesses that offer these services and can end up hurting you, the consumer.
 
This week I introduced legislation that will provide a legal framework within which service contracts are to be defined, may be sold and regulated by OCI.  This legislation will give consumers and businesses a clear understanding which will ultimately provide greater protections.