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February 16, 2017


A Good Starting Point


Last week, Governor Walker addressed the legislature to propose his plan for the 2017-2019 State Budget.  In his address, I was pleased to hear the governor propose a significant investment in K-12 education and increasing support for broadband expansion efforts in our state.  These are two issues that I hear about regularly from people around the 87th District.  I am happy that Governor Walker has made both of these issues priorities in this state budget.  If you missed the governor's address you can watch it on his website, www.walker.wi.gov.

After the governor's address, his budget proposal was introduced to the legislature as Assembly Bill 64 for consideration.  I am currently reviewing this 989-page bill and talking with my colleagues about ways to improve this legislation.  I believe that the governor's proposal is a good starting point and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make it better as it makes its way through the legislative process. As it does so, I encourage you to reach out to share your thoughts on how to make this budget better for you and our community.

Click the photo above to view a video clip of  Rep. Edming following the governor's Budget Address


Rural Wisconsin Initiative


On Tuesday, I was proud to join some of my colleagues at a press conference to announce the next phase of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative (RWI).  RWI is a group of legislators committed to making the voice of rural Wisconsin heard in the State Capitol.

The first RWI bill this session will increase support for the Rural Broadband Expansion Grant Program by $15.5 million in 2017 and increases support for the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) program, which provides funding for teachers to learn about incorporating technology in their classroom, by $7.5 million.  This bill also expands eligibility for the TEACH program to more school districts.  One of the primary concerns I hear around the district is the need for reliable, high-speed internet access.  I am excited that the first RWI proposal for this session helps to address this pressing need in rural Wisconsin.

A video of Tuesday's press conference can be found on the Rural Wisconsin Initiative Facebook page.

 


Visit with Students from Taylor County Educational Center


Earlier this week, I was able to participate in an amazing Take Your Legislator to Work Day in Medford.  As a part of this event, I had the chance to visit with multiple transition students from the Medford School District. It was an honor to meet all of these incredible students and hear from them what their jobs mean to them.

Rep. Edming with students and staff from the Taylor County Educational Center


Stay Up to Date


One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service.  This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison.  Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans).  You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.

You can also follow me on Facebook to see what I have been doing in Madison and around the 87th Assembly District.

 


 
As always, if you have any comments or thoughts regarding the subject of this  E-Update, please feel free to contact me.

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State Capitol Room 109 West - PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-7506
Email: Rep.Edming@legis.wisconsin.gov