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News from Nancy!

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Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are doing well and getting settled in after the first couple weeks of school. Before I begin with the update, I want to wish everyone the best of luck this school year.

The 70th Assembly District and Wisconsin have great schools that continue to be recognized for how well they prepare our students. Recently, our state ranked second nationally for its average ACT score of 22.5 from the graduating class of 2015. Recognition like that is due to the devotion and hard work of our wonderful teachers and support staff.

I am proud of the educational successes we have seen in our state. Finding ways to reinvest and renew our state’s support in public education has been a top priority of mine. I will continue to be an independent voice on education and advocate to stand up for rural schools and find ways to invest in the future of our children.

What's Happening in Madison...

This week, I testified in favor of legislation I authored with Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) that will create an exception to allow school board members to act as a volunteer coach or supervisor of an extracurricular activity in their school districts. The legislation, Assembly Bill 299, received public hearings in both the Senate and Assembly Committees on Education this week.

Currently, in Wisconsin, unless a specific exception exists in statute, a person is prohibited from holding two or more public positions when the duties of each might conflict. The idea for adding an exception to the current law is a result of a request by Tomah Area School Distinct board members.

This legislation sets forward restrictions to guard against any potential conflicts of interest for any school board member who serves as a volunteer coach or supervisor, including abstaining from any vote, except the district budget, that involves the activity they coach or supervise. It also specifically states that school board members cannot receive any compensation for the coaching or supervising they do.

It is important that our local school districts have as many options and tools as possible to maximize their effectiveness. I believe this legislation will be a valuable tool for rural school districts in finding qualified volunteer coaches and supervisors for all extracurricular activities available for our students.

 Around the District

Last week, I was able to spend a lot of time at the Central Wisconsin State Fair. I had the opportunity to visit with constituents at the Appreciation Breakfast to kick off the fair. I also served ice cream with Farm Bureau, the profits from the weekend went to their charity. It takes a lot of effort to put it together and I want to thank all the people who helped make it a wonderful weekend. I would also like to commend the youth and their families who brought their show animals to the fair for their dedication and efforts. The variety of show animals makes this fair special!

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour La Crosse Beverage. Many of the employees reside in the Tomah and Sparta area so it was a great opportunity to have open an dialogue about issues and opportunities concerning their industry.

Representative Bob Kulp and myself had the opportunity to participate in a tour of one of Enbridge’s pumping stations in Vesper to learn more about our energy needs in the Midwest. It's always a great to learn and discuss all the different areas of industry in the 70th Assembly District

 2015-2016 State of Wisconsin Blue Book

The new Wisconsin Blue Books have arrived and if you would like to receive a complimentary copy, please take a moment to respond to this email with your name, address, and phone number. Providing that information will make it easier for me to make sure you receive one.

I will also try to have a few Blue Books with me while I'm out in the district so feel free to ask me for one if you see me. I always enjoy interacting with constituents so I encourage you to reach out whenever you see me.  As always, please let me know of any events or things goings on that you think I should attend.

Sincerely,