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Friday, October 22, 2021

COMMITTED TO CONSTITUENTS

ELECTION AUDIT UPDATE

LEGISLATIVE AUDIT BUREAU REPORT RELEASED

The long-awaited report from the Legislative Audit Bureau investigation of the 2020 election has now been released.

"The audit questioned whether the clerks in the four municipalities consistently complied with the statutory requirement. The audit summary didn’t identify the four municipalities."

In the report, the LAB makes 30 recommendations for improvements to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, not the least of which is for the Commission to promulgate administrative rules if it believes municipal clerks should be allowed to fill in missing information on absentee ballot envelopes or use drop boxes. The report also makes 18 legislative recommendations to improve Wisconsin's election integrity.

Watch for more in the days ahead as a result of this audit report.

LAB Recommends Elections Commission Promulgate Rules On Clerks Filling In Missing Absentee Ballot Info, Using Drop Boxes

PUBLIC EDUCATION

STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DROPS ONCE AGAIN

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released fall student count information last Friday. These numbers come from the head count that happens every year on the third Thursday in September at all districts across the state.

Numbers from this year's count show a decrease in enrollment across the state by 4,311 students. However, that number is better than the year before when numbers were dramatically down, dropping 25,742 students during the first pandemic year.

Student Enrollment At Wisconsin Public Schools Declines Again

DPI PROFICIENY NUMBERS

If you want to know why parents and taxpayers are fed up with Wisconsin's public education system, look no further than Wednesday's latest DPI proficiency report for our students. On a day where Tony Evers tweeted a complaint that Wisconsin's public education isn't receiving adequate funding, we learn that our nearly $2.6 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds that were directed towards Wisconsin schools bought us a 21.7% decrease (9 points) in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency at 32%, and a 28% decrease (12 points) in Math proficiency at 31%. That translates to over 560,000 Wisconsin kids who cannot function at grade level.

Clearly, money is not the problem. Is it any wonder families are crying out for more accountability and an increase to school choice?!

Wisconsin Student Assessment System Results Released

PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

You're hearing it advertised everywhere, and it's a small thing that you can do to make a big difference. On October 23, help save lives in Wisconsin with Drug Take Back Day.

Dose of Reality

ADOPTION LEGISLATION

Rep. Dittrich was grateful for the expertise and feedback of the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services team. We're working hard on all levels to make foster care, guardianship, and adoption better for Wisconsinites.

WEEK OF CHOICE

Rep. Dittrich enjoyed meeting with great self-advocates and family advocates from A-Team Wisconsin as they spoke up for their Week of Choice. No matter the ability level, adults should be respected with the full array of work options.

PRO-LIFE BILL PASS SENATE

This week, the State Senate passed a package of pro-life bills that will be voted on in the State Assembly next Wednesday (October 27th).

Senate Republicans Pass Package of Bills Aimed At Limiting Abortions In Wisconsin

PARENTS KNOW BEST: MASK AND VACCINE MANDATE IN SCHOOLS

Your last chance to testify on AB 600, permitting students to open enroll to another school district should their COVID-19 mitigation policies change in a dissatisfactory way to you as a parent will be on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 11:00 AM, Room 328 Northwest of the Capitol in front of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health. Rep. Dittrich is looking forward to a great turnout of parents who have asked for this option!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

DIALING THE AREA CODE

Starting Sunday, Oct. 24, people in Wisconsin will have to dial local numbers using 10 digits — the area code and the seven-digit phone number.

Currently, people in Wisconsin can place a call to a number in the same area code without dialing the area code. That option will end Oct. 23.

All Wisconsin Phone Calls Will Require Dialing The Area Code Starting Sunday

IN THE DISTRICT

CONSTRUCTION ON HWY 16

WIS 16 Culvert Replacement, Town of Ixonia, Jefferson County

NEW DISTRICT MAPS

Every 10 years, the Legislature is charged with the constitutional duty of drawing the new district maps based upon population data from the US Census. Wisconsin's legislative leaders introduced the new district maps late Tuesday. For the first time, the public was able to submit maps to the Legislature for consideration.

Legislative Leaders Introduce New District Maps

FIRST RESPONDER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Rep. Dittrich  pleased to announce that Western Lakes Fire District Chief Brad Bowen has been named the 38th Assembly District's 2021 First Responder of the Year.

Earlier this year, Chief Bowen was met with many obstacles dealing with state agencies in obtaining doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, he went above and beyond the call in securing doses of the vaccine, working in coordination with both Waukesha and Jefferson Counties to get both our first responders as well as our most vulnerable citizens vaccinated in a timely manner.

Chief Bowen will be honored along with 98 other first responders from the various Assembly districts October 26, 2021 on the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

BLUE BOOKS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

After starting her day in Madison last Friday, followed by her county meeting in Waukesha, Rep. Dittrich spent the remainder of the day hand-delivering Wisconsin Blue Books to constituents. It gives her another great opportunity to chat with people face-to-face in the 38th.

Don't forget, you can request your Blue Book at no cost from her office by simply submitting a request at repdittrich.us.

TRAVEL WI

Recently Secretary of Tourism Anne Sayers highlighted some of the incredible jewels of the 38th Assembly District, including Tyranena Brewing, Ephraim Pottery, Fargo Mansion Inn, as well as the Cambridge Earth, Wood, & Fire Artist Tour on the Travel Wisconsin show on WTMJ Radio. Be sure to get out and share our beautiful area with others!

Travel Wisconsin: Arts and Culture