Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team Advances to National Tournament

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with the members and coaches of the Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team, which qualified for the Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships in Sparta, Illinois.  I presented them with a State of Wisconsin flag flown over the state Capitol for them to take to the tournament while offering words of support and encouragement.  The coaches and athletes are to be commended for such an achievement that only a select few attain.  I know the community is very proud of them and that they will do a terrific job representing not only the Burlington area, but the state of Wisconsin as well.  I wish the club trapshooting team the best of luck and much success at the national tournament.  Go Demons!

Rep. Samantha Kerkman presents a state of Wisconsin flag to the Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team prior to their departure for the national tournament

Making it Safer for Kids to get to School

Many of us are aware of the dangers associated with talking on a cell phone while driving a vehicle.  Too often, this distraction results in traffic accidents, some of them fatal.  While all fatal accidents are tragic, it is especially heartbreaking when young children are involved.  That is why I recently introduced legislation aimed at improving safety and protecting several children at the same time by prohibiting school bus drivers from talking on cell phones while driving their passengers to and from school, field trips and other events.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school bus drivers must always stay mentally alert, keep focused, and be prepared for every possible emergency.  By not adhering to these basic guidelines, the driver puts the safety of their young passengers at risk, especially given that NHTSA data confirms that driver inattention is the leading cause of the majority of all traffic accidents.  Thus, Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) and I have introduced bi-partisan legislation, Senate Bill 91, in an effort to prevent a potential tragedy resulting from an inattentive school bus driver talking on their cell phone while behind the wheel of a bus.

Under SB 91, no school bus driver will be allowed to use a cellular telephone or other wireless device while operating a school bus or another vehicle being used to transport pupils.  This prohibition, of course, will not apply to the use of a wireless device to make an emergency "911" telephone call.  SB 91 also will not restrict a bus driver's use of a two-way radio, GPS device, or any other type of radio needed to do their job.

Senator Carpenter and I fully recognize that most responsible school bus drivers would never consider risking the safety of their passengers by using a wireless device while driving a bus.  Yet, there is always that temptation to answer a call as they're driving down the road and we wanted to address that problem now before tragedy would strike.  As the mother of two young children who will soon be riding a school bus, I believe SB 91 is important, common sense legislation needed to protect young, innocent lives.

At this time, SB 91 is under consideration by the Assembly Committee on Transportation following a public hearing held on July 16th.  The bill has already passed the state Senate and I am hopeful it will reach the Assembly chamber for a floor vote sometime this fall when the Legislature reconvenes for session.

Wisconsin's Do Not Call List Registration

Registration is underway with Wisconsin's Do Not Call List, where consumers now have the option of including their personal cellular phone numbers.  To learn more and to sign up, simply call 1-866-966-2255 or visit https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp.  Consumers can sign up 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  If you register your phone numbers before September 1st, they will be placed on the list effective October 1st.  The updated Do Not Call List is then forwarded to telemarketers on a quarterly basis, so it may take 30 to 120 days before telemarketers are given notice that they are not to call the numbers registered on the list.  The Do Not Call List is compiled by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.