Thank you for taking the time to read this week's e-update. I always strive to include information you find interesting and informative as it relates to my work in Madison and the 60th Assembly District.
My most important goal remains serving you, my constituents. Helping you find solutions to difficult problems when it seems like the state is unresponsive is the single greatest reward for my staff and me. I take constituents' input seriously and continually work hard on your behalf.
I always have your thoughts and concerns in mind when deciding whether or not to support legislation. Furthermore, I appreciate when you take time out of your schedules to contact me.
Have a great week,
Question of the Week
Wisconsin's unemployment rate stands at 2.9 percent and has been below three percent for thirteen consecutive months. What is more, the state is suffering from a labor shortage of 80,000 jobs. Despite the strong economy, Governor Evers has unveiled a comprehensive proposal increasing state unemployment benefits.
Unemployment insurance was never meant to be free money with no strings attached. As such, it makes sense for applicants to be subject to a drug test and apply for at least four jobs per week. I believe in creating a culture of opportunity, not dependence.
This week's survey seeks your input on unemployment insurance reform.
Please, take just a minute to answer my short survey on unemployment insurance reform.
Thank you to everyone who provided input on transportation funding. In total, 137 individuals responded to last week's survey, a slight reduction from the previous week.
Forty-one percent of respondents believed that Wisconsin's current transportation funding mechanisms are adequate; thirty-four percent supported a gasoline tax increase; seventeen percent advocated for tolling; ten percent supported increased registration fees; and twenty-four percent endorsed other funding mechanisms.
School Choice: The Fine Print
Since being elected in 2015, I have been a steadfast defender of education choice. Parents should have the ability to send their child to a school that best suits his or her interests and learning styles.
Here is the fine print of Governor Evers' plan to limit educational opportunities for Wisconsin families. His budget caps parent school choice programs in fiscal year 2021 using the previous year's headcount.
I want every child to have a quality education no matter where in the state he or she resides or the amount of money earned by his or her parents. Now is not the time to freeze a successful program that has been giving low-income families options for nearly thirty years. Wisconsin currently has three programs: Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide. The programs continue to grow because parents want their children to matriculate in these schools.
When the state only operated the Milwaukee Parental School Choice Program, there were roughly 10,000 students enrolled during the 2001-2002 school year. Currently, there are more than 38,000 students participating in 279 schools. Data has shown that school choice works. Students are performing just as well or better than their public school peers. In addition, it costs less to educate a choice student. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau calculated that if the school choice program were to be eliminated, Wisconsin taxpayers would have to pay $107.6 million more to educate these students.
I have heard innumerable success stories from families who have attended a choice school and had the opportunity to tour charter, voucher, and private schools.
Town Hall Meetings and Listening Sessions
On April 18, 2019, I will be participating in two half-hour town hall meetings with United States Representative Jim Sensenbrenner. I will be available to hear your concerns regarding the biennial budget and Wisconsin-based policy issues.
Representative Sensenbrenner and I will visit the following locations on April 18, 2019:
9:00-9:30 a.m.: Newburg Village Hall, 614 Main Street, Newburg.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Jackson Village Hall, N168W20733 Main Street, Jackson.
Participating in a listening session with Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner.
Additionally, on Thursday, March 25, 2019, I will be hosting a series of budget-related listening sessions. The times and locations for these meetings are as follows:
12:00-1:00 p.m.: WJ Niederkorn Public Library, 316 West Grand Avenue, Port Washington.
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Cedarburg Public Library, W63N589 Hanover Avenue, Cedarburg.
6:00-7:00 p.m.: Trenton Town Hall, 1071 State Highway 33 E, Trenton.
Participating in a budget listening session.
If you are unable to attend my town hall meetings or listening sessions but would like to convey your thoughts on Governor Evers' 2019-2021 biennial budget, please contact my office.
60th District Events
The following are a few events that will be occurring this week, in the 60th Assembly District. If you have upcoming events that you would like included in our e-update, please contact my office.
One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Rob Brooks State Capitol, Room 216 North P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0060 or (608) 267-2370 Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.wi.gov| |
