Legislative column by Senator Mary Lazich

 

 

Thanksgiving is upon us once again.  Students learn about Pilgrims and make hand turkeys.  Fall colors have come and gone, there is a chill in the air and delicious food on the table.

 

Thanksgiving is more than turkey and stuffing.  It is important to take stock and remember all we have to be thankful for, and to enjoy Thanksgiving.

 

The state can be proud the official White House Holiday Tree was cultivated right here in Wisconsin’s Marquette County.

 

Wisconsin football fans can be thankful this year.  The Wisconsin Badgers are having a tremendous season, winning nine of 11 games.  The Badgers are in position to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game and play for a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. 

 

As good as the Badgers are playing; the Green Bay Packers are playing even better.  After winning their final six games to claim the Super Bowl title last season, the Packers are undefeated and looking good for another championship appearance.

 

All Americans can be thankful to be protected by the wonderful men and women of our nation’s armed forces.  Our soldiers give immense sacrifice so democracy may continue to survive and thrive.

 

Speaking of democracy, Wisconsin residents may be thankful for WisconsinEye, the public affairs television channel that provides viewing of state government activities.  The television channel and its website, www.wiseye.com, bring the state legislature out of the halls of the Capitol and into every home.

 

Thanks to WisconsinEye, Wisconsin citizens could watch the state’s first balanced budget in decades take shape.  The balanced budget reduced school levy property taxes nearly $50 million, the first time in six years state taxpayers experience a school property tax decrease.

 

Wisconsin residents may be thankful for our wonderful public school system.  Average class sizes are significantly smaller than the national average, and 70 percent of parents feel their schools are as good as they were last year or are getting better.

 

I am personally thankful for many things.  First and foremost, I am thankful for my health and that of my family.  Spending time with family is one of the most wonderful aspects of the holiday season.

 

I am thankful for the many notes and phone calls of support I receive.  It has been a trying year in the state legislature.  I am very appreciative of citizens’ thoughts and prayers.

 

As a legislator, I am appreciative of the bipartisan support of the majority of legislation I authored this year.

 

While there was some heated debate, I am thankful we live in a great state in the best country in the world.