CONSIDINE CONNECTS

Capitol Updates from State Rep. Dave Considine

February 4, 2015

Dear friend,

Welcome to the first issue of Considine Connects, my regular e-update! As your State Representative for Wisconsin’s 81^st Assembly District, my highest priority is to keep you informed on what’s happening in the State Legislature.  As my constituent, you are an essential part of my job in the State Assembly, and I am committed to maintaining open communication with the citizens of the 81st District. These emails will contain updates on many important issues that affect you in the Capitol, and I hope you’ll share your feedback, questions, and concerns with me!

Sincerely,

In this issue:

• Inauguration Day 2015

• Governor Walker’s 2015-2017 Biennial Budget Address

• SAVE THE DATE: In-District Budget Listening Sessions – Feb. 7th

• Assembly Bill 1/Senate Bill 1 Update

Inauguration Day 2015

On January 5th, I was honored to be sworn in to represent the 81st Assembly District and officially welcomed to the Legislature at an inauguration ceremony in the State Capitol. I was lucky to have the tremendous support of my family and friends, many of whom traveled to Madison to attend the ceremony. Additionally, for the upcoming 2015-2016 legislative session, I have been appointed to the following Assembly Committees:

• Agriculture

• Education

• Environment & Forestry

• Mental Health

• Mining & Rural Development

Some of these committees have already begun to meet, and I am excited to work together with my colleagues to find real solutions to a wide variety of important community issues.

2015-2017 Biennial Budget Address: Feb. 3rd
It is commonly said that budgets are about priorities. Last night, we learned a great deal about Governor Walker’s priorities for the 2015-2017 biennium when he delivered his budget address - but creating the jobs our citizens so badly need is not among them. Instead of working together to fix Wisconsin’s growing $280 million budget deficit, the Governor would rather focus on divisive measures, like drastic funding cuts to the University of Wisconsin System and borrowing over $1 billion in transportation funding.

These ideas are not the solution to our state's problems and will not build the communities we all want to live, work and raise our children in. Instead, we should be working together to create sustainable jobs, protect and enhance our children's educational opportunities, and strengthen Wisconsin's economy. Please feel free to share your thoughts and input on the state budget with me by contacting my office anytime, or attending the budget listening sessions listed below.

SAVE THE DATE: In-District Budget Listening Sessions: Feb. 7th
To ensure that your voice is heard as we deliberate on the state budget, I will be collaborating with Sen. Jon Erpenbach to host a series of in-district listening sessions. They will be held on Saturday, February 7th, in three locations:

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PORTAGE

Portage Public Library – Bidwell Meeting Room

253 W. Edgewater Street

Portage, WI 53901

CONTACT: Arlene, 608-742-4959 www.portagelibrary.us

 

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. BARABOO

Baraboo Public Library – Downstairs Program Room

230 Fourth Avenue

Baraboo, WI 53913

CONTACT: 608-356-6166 www.baraboopubliclibrary.com

 

Noon – 1:00 p.m. PRAIRIE du SAC

Ruth Culver Public Library – Community Room

540 Water Street

Prairie du Sac, WI 53578

CONTACT: 608-643-8318 www.pdslibrary.org

These details can also be found on Sen. Erpenbach’s website at the following link: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/erpenbach/PressReleases/Pages/2015-Budget-Listening-Sessions-Announced.aspx . I hope to see you there!

Assembly Bill 1/Senate Bill 1
As you may know, in January, Republicans introduced Assembly Bill 1 (AB 1), a bill that would drastically alter the way Wisconsin schools are overseen and reviewed. Whether you came to Madison for the public hearing on January 14th, wrote a letter, sent an email, or made a phone call to your legislator or to my colleagues on the Education Committee, I want to sincerely thank you for getting involved and sharing your thoughts on this bill. Since its introduction, AB 1 has been significantly altered and has stalled in the Legislature. I have been told I will receive the author’s new version of AB 1 by the end of January. However, its Senate counterpart, SB 1, has begun moving through the legislative process. While SB 1 is an improvement in some respects, it is my duty as your legislator to carefully consider every aspect of the bills that may come before me. Stay tuned for important updates to come on these education bills!

 

I had many great opportunities in January to meet with my new colleagues, my constituents and community leaders, many organizations and interest groups, and even Governor Walker. Check out some snapshots below:

Catching up with Circus World Executive Director Scott O'Donnell (L) and Performance Director/Ringmaster David SaLoutos (R) at the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce Awards on January 26th. Circus World was among the many deserving recipients, taking home this year's Tourism Award.

Addressing my Assembly Democratic colleagues in caucus for the first time

I was honored to be chosen to escort Governor Walker onto the Assembly floor along with several of my colleagues before the State of the State address on January 13th.

From left: Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Sen. Janet Bewley (D-Ashland), Gov. Walker, Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah), and myself