I released a statement regarding my state budget priorities following an announcement from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB). The LFB memo stated that revenue projections are on target for the biennial budget.
 

                        K-12 Education a Top Priority
 

This week I put out a press release regarding my budget priorities following an announcement from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB).  The LFB memo stated that revenue projections are on target for the biennial budget. 
 

As I continue to hear from my constituents and work to make our next two-year budget the best that it can be, investing in our K-12 education system remains my top priority. Education is the key to a better trained workforce and successful future for our children.  As we continue to move forward with the budget process, I am committed to finding ways to invest in public education, grow our state’s workforce, and protect taxpayers.  I will continue to work on making it a fair budget for all of Wisconsin.

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Budget Motion Passes JFC

Joint Finance Committee (JFC) completed its fifth executive session of the 2015-17 budget on Thursday May 7th.  A budget motion that I had proposed passed during the Joint Finance Committee executive session.  It was a great feeling seeing it pass, knowing it will be a great tool for Lafayette County Sheriff's Department. 

The motion will provide the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department $100,000 ($50,000 a year for two years) to be used to either join a drug task force or hire an officer dedicated to drug enforcement.  Without using state tax dollars, the money will be generated from the crime lab and drug enforcement surcharge, and the DNA surcharge.  The drug task forces are instrumental in fighting the growing influx of heroin and other drugs.  Belonging to a task force will help with performing undercover work, tracking down dealers, and help curtail overall flow of drugs into the county.

I'd like to thank the Joint Finance Committee for passing my Budget motion, this is an important step in combating crime in our communities.  One of the reasons I decided to run for office was to fight rural crime and drug use, this is a great start!

These executive sessions typically occur over the course of several weeks.

No matter the medium; whether phone calls, letters, emails, meetings, listening sessions, and others, I have appreciated your input thus far.  Based on the feedback I receive, it allows me to bring together ideas on what the people of the 51st Assembly District would like to see from not only this budget, but for the state moving forward.

My colleagues and I are gathering input from around the state and we want to know how you would like us to spend your hard-earned tax dollars. The budget-writing committee, the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), has begun its executive sessions on the budget, however there is still time for you to provide feedback on many important budgetary issues.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete my spring survey, I would greatly appreciate it. You can take the survey one of two ways: my office is sending out a 2015 Questionnaire to households in the district, or if you would like to save a stamp, you may fill out the survey online at www.RepNovak.com

 If you would like to provide input regarding the state budget, I encourage you to do so. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any of your comments, questions, or concerns.

Thursday May 7th, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) completed its fifth executive session of the 2015-17 budget.  These executive sessions are when each individual issue in the governor's budget proposal is discussed and voted on by the committee.  
 

 I recently toured the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, I was on campus meeting with students, faculty, staff and administration. I attended an open forum regarding the budget. I also toured numerous buildings and got a glimpse of many of the innovative programs on campus.  Thank you Chancellor Shields for showing me around!

Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with members of 4-H members of Iowa and Richland counties.  We had some great conversations regarding agriculture issues.

Members from UW Extension-Green County visited the office as well.  I met with representatives and students, we discussed the UW system and the proposed budget.

I had the pleasure of Honoring the Belmont Lions Club for their 60th Anniversary.  I was able to get a picture of the officers and anniversary planning committee along with their proclamation.

If you ever find yourself in Madison or your group plans to visit the State Capitol, I hope that you can stop by my office, 304 North. It is a beautiful facility full of history. I'd definitely encourage you to take a tour someday - the Capitol and surrounding area would make a great day trip for the family.

Touring UW-Platteville	Iowa/Richland County. Pictured L to R; Chelsea Wunnicke, Jennifer laTour, Martina Steffes, Morgan Fitzsimmons, Rep. Novak, Lyrica Daentl, Bailey Fritsch, Judy Lindholm.
UW Extension-Green County; Abby Bethke, Rep. Novak, Dan Kehoe	Belmont Lions Club Officers and Anniversary Planning Committee. Seated L to R; Lion President MJ Dachelet, Lion Bev Pelton, and Lion Lee Pelton. Back (L to R) Lion Board Member Derek Dachelet, Lion Secretary Julie Abing, Lion 2nd VP Jeff Schaetz, Lion Ned Keyes, Past Lion President Jim Voigts, and Lion Treasurer Cheryl Cushman

Sincerely,