Here's What I'm Working on For You!

LRB-0504/1 regarding reporting on an operator license or identification card application the existence of a disability that is not immediately apparent to another.

LRB-4054/1 regarding allowing local public officials to receive anything of value that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation or the Department of Tourism is authorized to provide.

LRB-4159/1 regarding proclaiming September 2017 as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Find the full list of legislation I'm working on here!

Investing in Our Students

This week the Committee on Joint Finance continued its work crafting the 2017-19 biennial state budget. The committee took up several programs including the Building Commission and Building Program, as well as the K-12 education budget. The committee made history by approving a $639 million increase in funding to our schools, making it Wisconsin's largest investment into K-12 education! This education package includes an additional $200/pupil during the first year of the budget, and $204/pupil during the second year. Several provisions within the package also focus on efforts to keep our hardworking teachers here in Wisconsin. Among these include a lifetime license for administrators and teachers who have served in our schools for at least six semesters.

We know that investing in  every student's education, by putting more money into the classrooms and developing ways to reward our hardworking teachers, is absolutely crucial to the successful future of our state. I applaud the Committee's work for approving this truly historic investment in our students!

Supporting Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

This week I testified before the Assembly Committee on Transportation on a bill I authored, Assembly Bill 381, which will directly assist the families of fallen law enforcement officers. Wisconsin currently has a specialty license plate that recognizes the Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, an organization which provides immediate financial assistance to families following a line-of-duty death. The Wisconsin and National organizations also have constructed and maintain stone memorials to permanently recognize our fallen heroes. Unfortunately, when the license plate was first created in 2015, it did not include a donation component, meaning that the plate has not generated any financial support for these worthy organizations. AB 381 rectifies this situation by attaching a mandatory donation component to the plate, meaning that when someone purchases one of these specialty plates, they will in fact be directly assisting these important organizations. All funds collected will be evenly split between the Wisconsin and National Law Enforcement Memorial Funds, and all funds will be required to be spent in Wisconsin. Many specialty license plates currently work to collect funds to aid their respective organizations here in Wisconsin; AB 381 ensures that the Law Enforcement Memorial Fund is among these very deserving organizations.

A sincere thank you to those who spoke in favor of this bipartisan legislation, and a special thanks to those from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial (WLEM) who testified in favor of this bill. Volunteers for the WLEM invest a great deal of their time to ensure that the families of our fallen heroes are taken care of, and that the officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten. Thank you to all who volunteer with WLEM!

(Below) Testifying before the Assembly Transportation Committee on AB 381

(Above) Officer Craig Kolbeck and Brian Willison of WLEM testifying in favor of AB 381

Side-Notes!

Help for Texas

Our thoughts and prayers go to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the devastating flooding that has followed. Many Wisconsinites are looking for ways to provide financial or voluntary support. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

-Cash donations provide the most use/flexibility to addressing needs. Be certain you are donating to a reputable, trusted organization.

- Don't donate unsolicited goods. Unsolicited miscellaneous household items require staff time to be redirected sorting through these goods, which may not be needed by disaster survivors. You can learn the best ways to help by visiting the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website.

-Volunteers who wish to provide first-hand assistance, should register through an organization to receive an assignment, rather than self-deploying. More information on this can also be found on the NVOAD's website.

Archery and Crossbow Season

Reminder: Archery and crossbow deer season begins in Wisconsin on September 16. You can purchase your license through the Go Wild website or at any of these sales locations. Check out this FAQ from the DNR for all the latest information regarding the 2017 deer hunting season.

Preparedness Month in Wisconsin

During 2017 Wisconsin endured significant flooding and tornado activity. The month of September is designated as Wisconsin Preparedness Month, with the goal of bringing attention for the need to prepare and plan in advance of future disasters. Developing a family emergency plan and emergency communication plan is one important step for being prepared. Ready Wisconsin is an important resource to check out in order to help you better prepare for an emergency.