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The past two weeks saw the last Assembly floor session of the calendar year. However, Republican leadership has indicated the Assembly will convene again at the beginning of 2018. As such, legislators have been busy hearing and passing bills out of standing committees. Of particular importance to me was the passage of Assembly Bill 186, which I authored to protect child victims of human trafficking from being prosecuted as criminals. Passing this bill out of committee is the result of years of work and support at all levels from people all over the state. I hope we will take the bill up on the floor when we return at the start of the new year. You can read more about the bill passing -- on a unanimous vote -- here.

Besides a short trip to Madison for the AB 186 vote, I spent the majority of the last week at the National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) annual conference. I am proud to share that the NFWL honored me with the Elected Women of Excellence Award. You can read more about the conference and the award further down in this newsletter.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend. I am looking forward to spending time and sharing food with my loved ones. Whatever you do, I hope you, too, enjoy the holiday. Please read on for Thanksgiving safety recommendations from ReadyWisconsin, a service of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings@legis.wi.gov.

Please continue reading for more detailed information on the happenings both in La Crosse and statewide.

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(608)266-5780 \| State Capitol, Room 307 West, P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 \| rep.billings@legis.wi.gov
COMMUNITY EVENTS: 23rd Annual UW-L Turkey Trot Saturday, November 18 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. 130 Recreational Eagle Center (MAP) Meet a Therapy Dog: Mishka Saturday, November 18 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Children's Museum of La Crosse (MAP) Rotary Lights Opening Night Friday, November 24 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Riverside Park (MAP) Lights Over North La Crosse Saturday, Nov. 25 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Copeland Park (MAP) CONTACT ME: State Capitol Room 307 West P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Phone: (608) 266-5780 Toll Free: (888) 534-0095 rep.billings@legis.wi.gov	Friends and Neighbors, The past two weeks saw the last Assembly floor session of the calendar year. However, Republican leadership has indicated the Assembly will convene again at the beginning of 2018. As such, legislators have been busy hearing and passing bills out of standing committees. Of particular importance to me was the passage of Assembly Bill 186, which I authored to protect child victims of human trafficking from being prosecuted as criminals. Passing this bill out of committee is the result of years of work and support at all levels from people all over the state. I hope we will take the bill up on the floor when we return at the start of the new year. You can read more about the bill passing -- on a unanimous vote -- here. Besides a short trip to Madison for the AB 186 vote, I spent the majority of the last week at the National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) annual conference. I am proud to share that the NFWL honored me with the Elected Women of Excellence Award. You can read more about the conference and the award further down in this newsletter. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend. I am looking forward to spending time and sharing food with my loved ones. Whatever you do, I hope you, too, enjoy the holiday. Please read on for Thanksgiving safety recommendations from ReadyWisconsin, a service of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings@legis.wi.gov. Please continue reading for more detailed information on the happenings both in La Crosse and statewide. Best Wishes, Jill Billings State Representative 95th Assembly District

Foxconn Contract Moves Forward with no Public Input Last Friday, Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou signed the contract that officially seals the state's deal with the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. The contract was approved by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in a vote earlier that week. It passed on an eight-two vote, with two Democrats on the panel voting "no." I was disappointed that the contract was not made public until after the vote. I am highly concerned about the lack of transparency and opportunities for public input surrounding the entire Foxconn deal. I believe that the decision on such an important contract should have been more informed by public opinion. Many of my constituents have expressed to me worry about this the Foxconn deal moving forward, and I will remain vigilant as the next steps gets underway.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips Thanksgiving is next Thursday! As you bake, boil, broil and fry your way to a delicious meal, be sure to keep a few safety tips in mind. Did you know Thanksgiving has the most home cooking fires of any day of the year? To prevent fires, the US Fire Administration recommends staying in your kitchen while frying, boiling or broiling food. Frying presents the greatest risk of fire, so be especially vigilant with that deep-fried turkey. While baking, check the oven regularly. Keep anything flammable (oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, etc.) away from your stove. Turn all pot handles towards the back of the stove to avoid bumping, and keep young children and pets away from anything hot. Before cooking, ensure you have a fire extinguisher with an "A," "B" and "C" rating. If traveling this holiday weekend, be sure to check traffic and road conditions. 511 Wisconsin offers a free mobile app, Twitter updates @511WI, and a mobile-friendly website. In preparation for winter, make sure your car has an emergency kit. This kit can help keep you and your family safe until help arrives. ReadyWisconsin recommends including blankets, extra hats and gloves, non-perishable foods, flashlights, and anything else you think you might need on the side of the road.

National Foundation for Women Legislators Conference This week, I attended the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) conference in Minneapolis, MN where I received the 2017 Elected Women of Excellence Award. The NFWL was founded in 1938 to encourage the election and appointment of women to public office. In 2013, the NFWL started the annual Elected Women of Excellence Award to identify women who have worked tirelessly, often overcoming obstacles, to serve their communities. The NFWL continues to strive to empower and inspire elected women to become thoughtful leaders who shape America's future. I'd like to thank my colleagues for nominating and selective me to receive this prestigious award! Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) nominated me to receive the award: I also took some time to defend the Packers' honor in Vikings' territory:

DNR Update: Gun Deer Hunting Season Opens Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season begins tomorrow, November 18. While many experienced hunters will be returning for yet another season, there will surely also be some new faces out in woods. In an attempt to involve more people in Wisconsin's hunting tradition, first-time license purchases can enjoy discounted prices. Successful first-time deer hunters can also fill out a first-hunt certificate. Click here for more information about these opportunities for new hunters. Of course, safety is of the utmost importance when hunting. Following the rules and basic firearm safety principles will help keep everyone safe and allow for an enjoyable hunting season. Below are the four basic "TABK" firearm principles designed to help you keep safe this season: -Treat every firearm as if it is loaded -Always point the muzzle in a safe direction -Be certain of your target and what is beyond it -Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot For more safety recommendations, click here. Good luck to all those venturing into the woods this season!