This week I joined with 12 other rural legislators and sent a formal request to the Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, requesting increased funding for Wisconsin’s K-12 public education. 

Just this morning, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau  has released updated revenue projections that predict Wisconsin will have a $543 million surplus.  These new estimates are a needed boost to the budget,  and will provide additional resources for education and to build our economy.  I join my fellow Assembly colleagues in calling for an increase in per-student spending of at least $100-per-student.

The Joint Finance Committee will be considering our request when they take up the education funding portion of the budget later this month.

Full text of letter to Joint Finance Committee

I have also submitted a budget motion to create a Rural Schools Taskforce.  While increased funding will help to address some current shortfalls, there are also long-term challenges that are critical including demographic trends in the rural areas of our state, and the availability of ready-access technology.  The Rural Schools Taskforce would bring together education leaders to study best practices on dealing with these challenges and develop an action plan.  I am hopeful the Taskforce will be included as part of the state budget when passed.

Earlier this week, Chief Executive magazine unveiled it’s Best/Worst States for Business 2013 results. Wisconsin ranked as 17th, the third consecutive year our state has improved its position among the nation’s best states for business. In 2012, Wisconsin was ranked 20th and in 2011 was ranked 24th. The jump from 41st in 2010 to the 2011 ranking as 24th was the largest gain of any state in the history of the survey.

 Chief Executive’s Best/Worst States for Business 2013
 
 

First Lady Tonette Walker will be visiting Bradley Park in Tomahawk on Tuesday, May 21st. This a stop on the “Walk with Walker” tour, where Mrs. Walker visits some of Wisconsin’s most picturesque trails, parks and landscapes. The goal is to promote lesser known sites across the state, while also promoting health and fitness.

The Bradley Park walk will be held from 2:00 – 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 21st. Please join me in attending if you are able, this will be a great opportunity to showcase our community.


 

Thank you to all who attended our listening sessions earlier this month.  We had a strong turnout in Antigo, Merrill and Tomahawk with an open dialogue about items in the state budget and other issues.  The topic most frequently mentioned was education, which caused me to lead the effort for a Rural Schools Taskforce mentioned above.  I also heard from many people on transportation concerns, Medicaid questions, and local issues. 

Over the next couple weeks, you will see a Spring Survey in your mailbox.  This is a short, ten question survey on hot-button issues and other legislative items.  There will be space for two members in a household to answer, and we will track the results and share in a future update.  Please take the a few minutes to complete the survey if you are able; it will also be available on my legislative website.
 

Last week, I had the opportunity to welcome 3rd-5th graders from both Spring Valley Elementary in Antigo and Jefferson Elementary in Merrill to the State Capitol. The visits were part of their field trips to Madison, and it was a pleasure to visit with them. If you or your group would like to plan a tour of the Capitol building, please let our office know and I will be happy to welcome your group.

Spring Valley Elementary in Antigo