Final E-Update Until January |
Now that the legislative session has wrapped and political
campaigns are starting up, state law prohibits legislative
offices from sending out any more than 50 of the same
communication to constituents after April 15th in order to
ensure that campaigns and state work don't overlap. That means
this will be my last e-update to you until after the general
election in November.
Even though we can't continue to send out our regular weekly
emails, my staff and I will still be hard at work vetting ideas
for future legislation, holding state agencies accountable, and
most importantly, helping constituents like you whenever you
need assistance.
To keep up with me and the work I'm doing for you, be sure to
follow me here
and never hesitate to reach out personally. I always appreciate
hearing from you!
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UW Research in the Rotunda |
Each year hundreds of undergraduate students enrolled in UW
System campuses across the state flock to the Capitol to discuss
the research they are conducting.
I also had the opportunity to give an address to UW-Madison
alumni about the importance of higher education and its future
in our state.
UW-Fox Valley student Eric McDaniel and I are discussing his
research on the impacts of 2013 public school closures on
Chicago communities. The stickers on my hand are courtesy of my
grandson, who I spent the morning with!
UW-Oshkosh students discussing their research on the nature of
language and the effects of acid.
UW-Stevens Point students popped up to my office to share their
research on designing porous solids with me. |
Welfare Reform |
On Tuesday, the Governor signed into law our welfare reform
package. Our nine critical reforms will transform Wisconsin's
social safety net into an elevator to workforce success. Here
are some highlights from the package:
- Able bodied individuals in the Foodshare program without
dependants will now gain 80 hours per month of employment
and training program experience, the maximum under federal
law.
- Individuals utilizing the Foodshare program with school
aged dependants who are at least six years old will also be
provided with either on-the-job experience or a workforce
development course.
-
Public housing authorities are now
empowered to assist in developing employment plans for
individuals in public housing.
-
A pilot program has been created to
provide periodic payments of the earned income tax credit,
instead of providing it in a lump sum.
-
Organizations that contract with the
state to provide public benefits will now have an incentive
to produce the best results for our citizens through
performance-based payment systems.
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Autism Awareness and
Acceptance |
April has been proclaimed Autism Awareness month by the
Governor. In honor of the proclamation, Senator Roth and I
addressed advocates and families impacted by autism at the
Capitol on Tuesday. Learn more about improving the lives of
everyone impacted by autism in Wisconsin by visiting the Autism
Society here:
http://www.asw4autism.org/
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Youth Apprenticeships
Expanded |
This morning, I was at the bill signing in Ashwaubenon expanding
youth apprenticeships for high school seniors. The new law will
allow students to gain on the job training in their last year if
they attend a qualifying high school. The program will begin in
2018-19. These students will complete at least 450 hours of on
the job training and earn course credit for their work.
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Supporting Families |
I was thrilled to meet with family advocates
from the Fox Valley Early Childhood
Coalition. |
Tax Freedom Day April 19 in
Wisconsin |
Tax
Freedom Day is the first day of each calendar year when the
people of our state as a whole have earned enough to cover taxes
for the year and begin to earn income for themselves, instead of
the government. This year, Wisconsin's Tax Freedom Day will be
celebrated on April 19th! Our date is pretty close to our Iowan
and Michigander neighbors but far earlier (and better) than the
folks living in Minnesota and Illinois. You can see where all
the other states land on the map below, courtesy of the Tax
Foundation.
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A Year of Great
Accomplishments |
This session has been incredibly successful for the state and
our community. You may have received my spring newsletter in the mail highlighting many of those accomplishments, but if you
haven't yet you can read it below:
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Upcoming Events |
Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the
Wisconsin Tourism website or
https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/
and if you run into me while
you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi! |
"Like" Representative
Murphy's Facebook Page
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I have a Facebook page so I can continually engage with you on
important topics facing the state. Please like it by
clicking here! I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on
my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to
using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for
regular updates.
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"Like" Representative Murphy's
Official Facebook Page
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Welcome!
I live in Greenville, but have an
office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in
downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say
hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda,
and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318
North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my
office contact information.
If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol
building, please let me know in advance. I'd
love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a
group photo.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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