On Wednesday, the Assembly Committee on State Affairs held an executive session on Assembly Bill 376 and a public hearing on Assembly Bill 401 and Assembly Bill 435.
Assembly Bill 376: relating to a statewide urban search and rescue task force, regional emergency response teams, and making an appropriation.
Wisconsin's urban search and rescue task force, a team intended to handle environmental and structural catastrophes around the state, has been dormant for two years. AB376 would resurrect this task force, comprised of regional emergency response teams and first responders, and provide them with the resources they need to be successful. This bill passed in the executive session and can now be scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor.
Assembly Bill 401: relating to exempting 50/50 raffles from license requirements.
AB401 would significantly help local non-profits, charitable, religious, and veteran's organizations by allowing eligible organizations to conduct a 50/50 raffle without a license.
Assembly Bill 435: relating to incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades.
As more and more children today lack the ability to read and write cursive, AB435 would require school districts to incorporate cursive writing courses into their classroom.
Thank you to the bills' authors and individuals who provided testimonies, key insights, and answered questions regarding these three bills.
Assembly Committee on Education
Committee Chairman Rep. Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) and fellow committee members listening to testimonies
On Thursday, the Assembly Committee on Education convened to hold a public hearing on an education reform package:
Assembly Bill 563: required instruction in civic education in the elementary and high school grades; high school graduation requirements; and requiring the exercise of rulemaking authority.
According the a recent report from the Fordham Institute, Wisconsin's education system received an "F" for civics and American history. This report revealed that students lacked basic knowledge regarding the government, its three branches, and critical concepts such as federalism. In addition, a study from the 2018 National Assessment of Educational progress (NAEP) reported that only 24% of 8th grade students were at or above proficiency in civics and 15% were at or above proficiency in U.S. history. It is imperative that Wisconsin's youth obtains a sufficient understanding of how the government works, and AB563 is aimed at filling this significant gap in our education system.
In addition, the Committee on Education heard testimonies on three more bills:
Assembly Bill 560: required subjects in a human growth and development instructional program.
Assembly Bill 561: requiring school boards to report information regarding credit recovery courses.
Assembly Bill 562: gender identity and sexual orientation programs in public schools.
AB560, AB561, and AB562 are aimed at providing instructional programs on human growth and development, improving student's financial literacy and allowing parents to be notified and/ or opt their children out of courses with potentially harmful and controversial material related to gender identity and sexual orientation, respectively.
Each of these bills will need to pass in an executive session in order to be scheduled for a vote in front of the entire Assembly.
Wisconsin's Excellent Financial Outlook
Earlier this month, a new report from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau showed that Wisconsin has generated over $319 million more in state revenue than initially estimated and that the Rainy Day Fund grew to over $1.7 billion.
This great financial position that Wisconsin is currently sitting in is thanks to the hard work from Republicans in tax and fiscal policies in state budgets over the last decade. Under Governor Jim Doyle, Wisconsin raised taxes by more than $1.6 billion. Since Republicans took control of the governorship and Legislature in 2011, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates that the state has saved taxpayers more than $13 billion.
Additionally we passed Wisconsin Act 66 this session, which creates a state fiscal dashboard, ultimately helping Wisconsin taxpayers stay informed on how the state spends their money. You can access the dashboard by clicking on this link.
Constitution Day
Today is Constitution Day, which is meant to honor and recognize our nation's most significant legal document. The Constitution is what distinguishes the United States from the rest of the world; the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the tangible ideas that brought our country into existence and are every bit worth preserving today.
National POW/ MIA Recognition Day
Today is also National POW/ MIA Recognition Day. Unlike Veterans and Memorial Day, this day is specifically dedicated to those brave men and women who were prisoners of war or went missing during combat. On this day, we honor them and their sacrifice to protect the freedom and prosperity that we hold so near and dear to our American hearts.
United States Air Force Anniversary
Saturday is the 74th Anniversary of the United States Air Force. Thank you to all our current active duty airmen and each and every veteran who has served and protected our country.
Three Lakes Oktoberfest
This Saturday, Three Lakes will be hosting its annual Oktoberfest celebration. A variety of food, entertainment, and vendors will be outside serving German fare and - of course - plenty of German beer.
I hope all attendees have a fun and safe time. Don't forget to bring your steins - Prost!
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
On Wednesday, the Assembly Committee on State Affairs held an executive session on Assembly Bill 376 and a public hearing on Assembly Bill 401 and Assembly Bill 435.
Earlier this month, a 
Today is Constitution Day, which is meant to honor and recognize our nation's most significant legal document. The Constitution is what distinguishes the United States from the rest of the world; the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the tangible ideas that brought our country into existence and are every bit worth preserving today. 
Today is also National POW/ MIA Recognition Day. Unlike Veterans and Memorial Day, this day is specifically dedicated to those brave men and women who were prisoners of war or went missing during combat. On this day, we honor them and their sacrifice to protect the freedom and prosperity that we hold so near and dear to our American hearts. 
Saturday is the 74th Anniversary of the United States Air Force. Thank you to all our current active duty airmen and each and every veteran who has served and protected our country. 
This Saturday, Three Lakes will be hosting its annual Oktoberfest celebration. A variety of food, entertainment, and vendors will be outside serving German fare and - of course - plenty of German beer.