Start of September: Flood Updates, New Legislation, & Around the District

September 5, 2025

Last week Democrats introduced a new bill to reauthorize and strengthen the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

Knowles-Nelson is a bipartisan success story in our efforts to conserve land, water, and wildlife for future generations. For 35 years, this vital program has provided public access and protection of sensitive environmental areas across Wisconsin through a wide range of conservation efforts, land acquisition, recreational facility development, and grants to local governments and nonprofits.

Governor Evers included a proposal to reauthorize Knowles-Nelson for 10 years in his budget proposal. However, the Republican controlled Joint Finance Committee left Knowles-Nelson funding out of the state budget. A Republican-authored Knowles-Nelson bill is stuck in committee with a very uncertain future. Funding will end in July 2026 unless the legislature takes action to restore funding in a meaningful way.

This is why I am co-authoring new, compromise legislation to reauthorize the program for six years by $72 million per year and reduce the impact of partisan politics on stewardship decision-making through the creation of a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Board. The board would provide the oversight that Republicans want without overburdening the approval process and timeline with political red tape.

Knowles-Nelson has been a bipartisan Wisconsin success story for decades.  I am proud to introduce legislation with  oversight, resources and stability to keep the program strong for current and future generations of Wisconsinites, and I hope my Republican colleagues will come to the table and support this new compromise, too.

Wisconsin is one of just a handful of states that do not prohibit guns on college campuses. Last session I introduced new legislation to prohibit individuals from possessing firearms in buildings or on the grounds of a college or university, similar to other gun-free school zones in the state. The bill never received a public hearing. On August 27th, I stood with my colleagues, students, and community leaders at a press conference to reintroduce this important bill. 

Young adults can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. Students, faculty, and staff in higher education deserve the same level of protection under the law as K-12 schools, and be able to teach and learn with the peace of mind that firearms are not welcome on our campuses. 
 

I joined my colleagues on September 4th to introduce the “Build a Stronger Wisconsin” legislative package, which includes four bills that will help strengthen Wisconsin’s overall economy by helping ensure fair wages, safer workplaces, and good-paying jobs that support families during times of rising costs.

The legislation we introduced will restore prevailing wage, ensure fair project labor agreements, crack down on worker misclassification, and repeal “Right-to-Work” laws that undermine workers’ rights. 

The North Shore Health Department (NSHD) is hosting three flu vaccination clinics this fall. No appointments are needed; walk-ins are welcome. Please bring your insurance card for both adults and children. Free flu shots will be available for children who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid. For more information, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the link listed on the flyer.

Bring the kids and their bikes to the Bike Safety Rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 11 am to 1 pm. at 5205 N. Lydell Ave., Whitefish Bay.

Taste of Mequon is this Saturday! The event starts at 11 am and goes until 8 pm. Wrap up the summer with a day filled with delicious food, live entertainment, and great art. This celebration showcases the best of the community—local restaurants, artists, and live entertainment. The event takes place in front of the Mequon City Hall (11333 N. Cedarburg Road).