Welcome Back to School

I want to welcome all students, teachers and staff back to school and hope that you all have an outstanding year. The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time, and I know that this will be another successful year for Wisconsin students.

Supporting our schools is a top priority for Republicans in the Assembly. This summer, we passed a budget that provides the largest education budget in actual dollars in state history.

Overall, Wisconsin schools will receive over $12 billion, an increase of more than $500 million this biennium above last session's record investment. This record investment includes a nearly $100 million increase for reimbursing the cost of special education; doubles of our commitment to mental health programs; fully funds high-cost transportation for our rural schools; and fully funds the School Day Milk Program for low-income pupils.

We were able to accomplish all of this while continuing to protect and support Wisconsin's School Choice program. This program helps ensure that families have options for their children's specific educational needs. Supporting Wisconsin students, regardless of the type of school they attend continues to be a main priority of mine. I believe that these important investments will help students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.

As always, I encourage you to follow my updates on social media or contact my office directly with your questions. Best wishes on your weekend!

Finance Committee Takes Action

This week the Joint Committee on Finance met to take action on important legislation on addressing the mental health of Wisconsin's farmers.

I voted with my colleagues on a 16-0 vote to approve $200,000 to provide mental health assistance to farmers and farm families. This money will go to the Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide $25,000 for counseling vouchers, $50,000 for workshops for farmers, and $25,000 for workshops to train mental health providers on how to address the challenges the farm community faces.

After this important vote, we also approved the purchase of land to continue to fill out the Ice Age Trail in Sheboygan County. This land will be used to add 4 miles of off-road trail to replace 1.5 miles of on-road hiking. The Ice Age Trail is an important economic driver of our area and Wisconsin as a whole.

Fall Colors

The Fall season is almost upon us, and that means the weather is getting cool, football season has begun and, of course, the leaves will be changing. Wisconsin continues to be one of the best states to view the changing colors of Fall.

Travel Wisconsin launched the Fall Color Report also gives you weather updates, things to do and a place to upload your photos of the wonderful colors of Wisconsin in the Fall.

Final Call: "First Responder of the Year" Nominations

If you know of a First Responder that deserves special recognition, you can nominate them for the "First Responder of the Year" Award. My office will be accepting nominations of police officers, sheriff's deputies, firefighters and EMS providers, both volunteer or paid. 

The nomination can be predicated on a variety of factors including a specific heroic action, a significant professional achievement, community work and/or length of service.

To nominate a local hero for the 26th Assembly District, please fill out the nomination form and email it to my office at Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov. I will be accepting nominations that are received before Monday morning.

Office of Rep. Terry Katsma
State Capitol, Room 306 East
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Toll-Free (888) 529-0026 or (608) 266-0656
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov|  |