October 9, 2014

Dear Friends and Neighbors -

The temperatures have started to dip, Wisconsin's fall colors are in full swing and hunting season is right around the corner. The State Capitol has also been buzzing with activity and some major changes as well.

This e-newsletter has some helpful information on the marriage equality court case, changes to voter requirements, the state's budget deficit and some fun local events around western Wisconsin.

I hope you find this information helpful, and don't forget to get out and enjoy all of the fun upcoming events in western Wisconsin!

Sincerely,

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

Marriage Equality Update... Love Wins!

After the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case of Wolf, et al. v. Walker, et al., marriage equality is now the law of the land in thirty states including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Wisconsin's ban on gay and lesbian marriages has been ruled unconstitutional and counties can resume issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Since Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban was enacted in 2006, the Marquette University poll has tracked a significant shift in public opinion with 59% of voters now saying they would vote to repeal the amendment.

Local reactions to the ruling:

“Our communities are strengthened when committed couples and loving families share equal rights under the law. This step forward puts Wisconsin on the right side of history and moves us closer to ensuring that all loving couples are viewed equally under the law. I hope that we can continue to bring people closer and work together on solving the many challenges that our state is facing.” - State Senator Jennifer Shilling

“Today's action by the U.S. Supreme Court is a huge victory for freedom and equality both in Wisconsin and in states across America. And now we can proudly say that marriage equality is the law of the land in Wisconsin. Love is love, family is family, and discriminating against anyone's love, against anyone's family, is not only wrong, it's unconstitutional. This is a huge step forward for our entire country being a place where every family's love and commitment can be recognized and respected under the law.” - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin

"This is a watershed moment for the entire country. We are one big step closer to the day when all same-sex couples will have the freedom to marry regardless of where they live. The time has come and the country is ready. This is life-saving news for same-sex couples. Marriage helps families deal with times of crisis, and the Supreme Court’s action today means more loving and committed couples will have access to the protections that marriage provides." - Larry Dupuis, Legal Director of the ACLU of Wisconsin

"I encourage everyone to respect the Court’s action and to administer the law fairly and impartially. Once the District Court formally lifts the stay, officials must apply the marriage law consistent with the District Court’s order and the Seventh Circuit’s decision.” - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen

Know Your Voting Rights - Photo Identification Requirement

From the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board...

If you have one of these photo IDs, you are ready to vote!
These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the November 6, 2012 election):

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption

• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service

• A U.S. passport
   

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented

• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)

• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)

• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin

• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. Also, the university or college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment

• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.

Important things to know:
The address on your ID doesn’t have to be current. And the name on your ID doesn’t need to be an exact match for your name in the poll book. (So, Richards who go by Rich, Bobs who are also Roberts and Susans with IDs for Sue can all relax.)
Of course, there are certain requirements. Your ID should look like you. Even if you’ve colored your hair, shaved your beard or lost some weight, as long as your photo ID reasonably resembles you, it should be accepted.

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, learn how to get a free state ID card by clicking here.

For more information on Wisconsin's photo identification requirement, you can visit http://bringit.wisconsin.gov/.

Wisconsin's $3 billion budget crisis worsens

As Wisconsin’s budget situation continues to deteriorate, legislators and state residents have struggled to get straight answers from Gov. Walker’s administration and Republican leaders. Public anxiety and suspicions regarding the state’s $3 billion budget deficit have intensified after the only scheduled meeting of the Joint Finance Committee was hastily cancelled late last week.

Democrats have asked Republican leaders to explain how the committee planned to move forward and address the immediate budget deficit crisis. Some Republican lawmakers have indicated a budget repair bill will be needed. Others have said they intend on making millions in unspecified cuts over the next several months. Others have said nothing at all.

“With every day that goes by, our state’s budget situation worsens,” said Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “The confusion among legislative leaders and their unwillingness to have open and honest discussions about our state’s dire financial situation is troubling.”

The fact that Republicans continue to debate the staggering deficit numbers from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has only made the situation worse. By kicking the can down the road and failing to correct the massive budget shortfall, much deeper cuts may be needed in the future to balance the budget. Republican leaders have failed to say whether they will look to cut school funding again, ration health care services, delay transportation projects or scale back worker training programs.

"Democrats stand ready to resolve Wisconsin’s budget and economic crisis,” added Shilling. “We believe it’s time to provide relief to working families by addressing the student debt loan crisis, increasing the minimum wage to boost family incomes and strengthening Badger Care to save state taxpayer dollars. The public deserves straight answers and a clear vision for the future. Further delays will only compound our problems and result in deeper cuts down the road.”

Around the District

On Friday October 3rd I held in-district office hours in Wauzeka and Gays Mills. Meeting with community members face-to-face and keeping in touch with local residents helps me to best represent our shared values in the legislature. I am always available to help, and these local meetings are one more way for citizens to share their thoughts with me.

Thanks to everyone who came out to discuss legislative proposals, the state budget, education issues, economic development and a whole host of other topics. If you weren't able to make these events, you can always reach me via email at Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov or by phone at 1-800-385-3385.
 

Western Wisconsin schools awarded for excellence

State Superintendent Tony Evers recently announced that several schools in western Wisconsin earned a 2014-15 Wisconsin Title I School of Recognition Award. Despite the mounting challenges faced by our local communities, schools in western Wisconsin continue to go above and beyond to educate our children and expand career opportunities for our graduates.

Congratulations to all of the students, teachers and staff who have been recognized for their outstanding efforts this past year!
 

This year, 173 Wisconsin schools were named 2014-15 School of Recognition award recipients. Several schools in western Wisconsin were among the recipients including:

Bangor Elementary School, Bangor School District
Prairie View Elementary School, De Soto Area School District
Northside Elementary School, La Crosse School District
La Farge Middle School, La Farge School District*
Mindoro Elementary School, Melrose-Mindoro School District
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School, Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District*
Bluff View Elementary School, Prairie du Chien Area School District
Bluff View Junior High School, Prairie du Chien Area School District
Bluff View Middle School, Prairie du Chien Area School District
Seneca Elementary School, Seneca School District*
Seneca Junior High School, Seneca School District
Lawrence-Lawson Elementary School, Sparta Area School District*
Maplewood Elementary School, Sparta Area School District
Miller Elementary School, Tomah Area School District
Wauzeka High School, Wauzeka-Steuben School District
    *award winner for five consecutive years

These schools will be honored by Supt. Evers at an award ceremony in the State Capitol on October 13, 2014. For additional information and a complete list of award recipients, you can visit: http://dpi.wi.gov/files/eis/pdf/dpinr2014_91.pdf

Farm to School Month

From the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection...

If you’re not sure what to do for National Farm to School month, participate in the GREAT LAKES GREAT APPLE CRUNCH!

Join Wisconsin students of all ages, from preschool to college, along with individuals across the Great Lakes Region states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, in celebrating National Farm to School Month and Food Day by crunching into locally and regionally grown apples at NOON on Friday, October 24, 2014.

This collective crunch encourages healthy eating and supports farm to school and other local food purchasing initiatives throughout the region. It’s also a fun way to connect food and nutrition to all kinds of classroom curriculum – from science to art! The Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch provides your school, district, county or region the framework to host a successful local food event this October.

Of course, not everyone can Crunch on Food Day, so we encourage you to Crunch anytime in October to celebrate National Farm to School Month.

To register your school as an apple crunch participant or for more information, including a media kit, email wifarmtoschool@wi.gov.

Fall fishing is great in Driftless Wisconsin

From Driftless Wisconsin...

September annually provides a last chance at good fishing for the season in Driftless Area streams.
As the temperatures start to drop, the water cools from the summer peaks and the trout become more active again.

Vernon County offers the two heavyweights in the area in Timber Coulee and the West Fork, but there are other, small streams that often are fished less in the Fall. Coon Creek, Bishops, Camp are just some of those in Vernon County. The surface weeds often have died off, providing easier access to fish than in summer.

Crawford County has some beautiful streams to fish in the Fall. Trout Creek can live up to its name on any given day. Others include Plum, Sugar, Pine, Copper and Knapp. Fishers and environmentalists have fought to keep Copper a good fishing stream. They battled against a commercial well that was proposed in the area.

You do have to make some adjustments to catch trout in the Fall. Terrestrials, such as ants, grasshoppers and crickets, will still work, as they do in late summer. Insect hatches start winding down, but olives and other surface flies still work at times. Patterns that mimic crayfish and other bottom creatures also can be effective.

The trout start migrating in Fall. Brown trout begin upstream movements into smaller tributary streams to seek spawning habitat, :so there’s an opportunity to catch trophy fish that have spent the summer hiding in deep-water pools and under logjams and are now congregating in smaller tributary streams,” says Mike Miller, a DNR stream ecologist and avid trout angler.

This fisher had a great Fall experience a couple years ago that demonstrates what Miller is saying. While fishing in the West Fork on the last day of September, and that fishing season, I caught a fish in a pool that was about 15 yards wide and maybe 25 yards long.

As I was releasing him, I looked down into the crystal clear water to see about six fish race by my boots. At first I thought they were suckers, since they often hang in groups and move in unison. But, then a group of 8-10 raced by, and this time I could see they were trout, even was able to distinguish between browns and a few brook trout who displayed their reddish bellies as they raced by.

Then, came another group of 8-10, then more and more and more. The exodus lasted for what I would estimate as 2-4 minutes and included dozens of trout, all racing upstream in a frantic manner. I watched in amazement. I saw nothing that could have scared that many trout into fleeing upstream. A friend/mentor said I might have witnessed a spawning run, which trout some times do almost like the better known runs of salmon. Whatever caused it, I felt privileged to have witnessed it.

You likely will not have this type of experience when fishing in the Fall. But, you can take in some of the colorful beauty of the Driftless Area and catch some trout. So, if you can’t get out before the end of this season, mark your calendar for Fall of next year.
 

Introducing -- Driftless Notes Magazine...

The Driftless region includes areas of southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, northeasten Iowa and northwestern Illinois. The term “driftless” refers to the area the glaciers did not pass through and therefore did not leave the sediment material referred to as “drift”in this area. The Driftless region is characterized by bluffs and rivers as well as cave systems, streams and springs. It is also part of the Mississippi Flyway and it includes the Mississippi River Valley, the Great River Road, the 7 Rivers Region, the Coulee Region, Hidden Valleys, Ocooch Mountains, the Mineral District, as well as lake and river towns and uplands in Minnesota and Iowa.

Driftless Notes is not meant to be a tourism publication, lifestyle magazine or business-to-business publication, but rather a hybrid that includes all of the above and more. It is something we hope residents, tourists and business owners will all enjoy. It is something that companies will use in recruiting talent to our region; it is something that will promote the region as a great place to live, a great place to work, and a great place to visit. You can enjoy the inaugural edition of Driftless Notes by clicking here or by visiting www.driftlessnotes.com.
 

Calendar of Events

I apologize if any upcoming events in the area were left off. If you would like me to include an event in future e-updates, please email me the date, location and a website with details.

Senator Jennifer Shilling
P.O. Box 7882 - Madison, WI 53707

phone: 608.266.5490   

email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov

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