Status
of the State Budget
An Update on the State Budget
The Joint
Finance Committee has completed the agency briefings, and now it will begin
the process of public hearings. The primary objective of these hearings is
to gather information and input from Wisconsinites across the state. I would
like to encourage everyone who has an interest or wants to be involved in
the budget process to attend one of these.
The JFC public hearings schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 18th
Brillion High School, Brillion
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, March 20th
Alverno College, Milwaukee
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, March 23rd
UW-Barron County, Rice Lake
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 26th
Reedsburg High School, Reedsburg
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
As your state
representative, it is important for me to hear the voices of my
constituents. Whether it is an idea you have pertaining to legislation, an
opinion you'd like heard on the state budget or perhaps even a question you
have about a state agency, I and my office want to be a resource the people
of southwest Wisconsin. I'd encourage you to contact me by phone
(608.266.7502), email or
online with any
concerns you might have.
Current
Legislative Work-Tax Deduction For State Educators
This week I
sent out a bill for Co-sponsorship (LRB 1218)-Relating to income tax
deduction for educators.
Under
current federal law, an eligible educator (teacher, counselor, principal
or aide) can claim an income tax deduction up to $250 paid for
educational supplies. Educational supplies that would qualify would be
books, software, computer equipment, and other supplementary materials
that are purchased and used by an educator in the classroom.
This deduction currently does not exist on the state level. This
legislation would adopt the Internal Revenue Code allowing an individual
income tax deduction for supplies, and would mirror the federal
deduction. Upon passage, this deduction would be available for taxable
year 2015, and would be the same amount as the federal deduction.
Many educators pay out of their own pockets for various supplies and
learning materials to enhance their classrooms. This would also simplify
the filing process for taxpayers to have the same deduction both on the
state and federal levels.
What's
Happening in Madison...
With the budget on the forefront of the state
legislature and several other initiatives under way, the state capitol
continues to be a
busy place. However, it's always refreshing to visit with
constituents and meet with folks from the district when they visit Madison.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit with
UW-Platteville Chancellor, Dennis
Shields; to discuss the State Budget, as well as the current events at
the University.
I was glad to have met with several
other groups recently, including a couple different Farm Bureaus. Layfayette
County Farm Bureau members, Iowa County Farm Bureau members and College
Agriculture students. I was able to sit down with both groups to
discuss the State Budget and various Agriculture policy issues. Thanks for visiting!
If you ever find yourself in Madison or your
group plans to visit the State Capitol, I hope that you can stop by my
office, 304 North. It is a beautiful facility full of history. I'd
definitely encourage you to take a tour someday - Now that Winter is coming
to a close, the Capitol and surrounding area would make a great day trip for
the family.
 |
 |
|
Visiting with members of Layfayette County Farm Bureau.
(Listed R to L, Katie Reichling, Christine Benson, Rep. Novak, Rick
Althaus, TJ Roth) |
Visiting with members from
Iowa County Farm Bureau, and the College Agriculture students. |
| |
 |
| Chancellor
Dennis Shields, of University of Wisconsin Platteville stopped in
for a visit. |
Sincerely,
 |
