Educating Students about their Government
This week, I was graciously invited by Paris school teacher Tiffany Erbentraut to visit with her 7th grade social studies class and help educate her students about their state and federal government. We discussed my role as a representative in the State Assembly, the role of the Governor, the role of a member of Congress such as Paul Ryan, and the branches of government at both the state and the federal level. We also discussed how a bill becomes a law and the responsibilities of judges and the Supreme Court justices within the judicial branch, such as interpreting the laws created and enforced by the legislative and executive branches.
I was very pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the students with their questions and inquiries about how the government works. It's important to continue teaching civics lessons to students in enabling them to become well-informed citizens and voters, and potentially public servants. I commend the teachers of the Paris School District and the rest of the 66th Assembly District who continue to stress the importance of an education in civics and government to our area students.
Rep. Kerkman (second from far left) is pictured with Paris School District science and social studies teacher Tiffany Erbentraut and her 7th grade social studies class.
Racine County Hosts Legislative Breakfast
In continuing with the pace of this very busy week, I attended a legislative breakfast hosted by the Racine County Board of Supervisors. Among the topics of discussion were job creation and sustaining area employment, the budget deficit and shared revenue, and funding pertaining to the ACE Program.
As of September, the unemployment rate for Racine County stood at 8.4 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addressing this, I intend to continue working with the local elected officials of Racine County as well as the local business owners in identifying the best approach to take in fostering the economic growth and development needed to create new jobs and reduce the unemployment rate. I've heard from area business owners that one of the biggest obstacles deterring them from expanding their businesses (and hiring new workers) is the state's tax climate, which has been rated among the worst in the nation by Forbes and Chief Executive magazines. This will be among my top priorities when my colleagues and I reconvene for the 2011 - 2012 Session in January and begin working with newly-elected Governor Scott Walker.
In addition to the state unemployment rate, my colleagues in the Legislature, Governor-elect Walker, and I will be confronting a budget deficit of $3.3 billion for the 2011 - 2013 fiscal biennium, as well as a shortfall of $150 million for the current biennium. This will undoubtedly translate into difficult cuts as we work to prioritize which programs and projects we need to continue funding in order to keep Wisconsin moving in the right direction toward recovery. Among the funding priorities considered during budget negotiations is shared revenue, which is allocated to counties and municipalities in order to pay for public safety services, transportation projects, and public education. During the last budget cycle, shared revenue suffered cuts averaging nearly 15 percent statewide, resulting in substantial property tax increases for some municipalities.
Given the budget deficit and projected cuts during the next fiscal biennium, concerns were raised about continuing funding for juvenile corrections. In Racine County, the Alternative to Corrections through Education Program (ACE) provides guidance and education to troubled youth in turning their lives around. Studies conducted on the program indicated a very low recidivism rate among its participants.
Cell Phone Numbers Outnumber Landline Numbers on Statewide No-Call List
As of January 1, 2011, 51 percent of the telephone numbers included within the Wisconsin No-Call List will be cell phone numbers. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), this marks the first time that consumers registered more cell phone numbers on the No-Call List than traditional landline numbers in order to reduce unwanted telemarketing phone calls.
The state's original No-Call List took effect in 2003, and did not initially include cell phones. Then, in 2008, the Legislature changed the registration rules in allowing cell phone numbers to be added to the No-Call List. Since then, cell phone numbers registered under the No-Call List have increased substantially to a total of 2,284,794 on the list that will be released in January.
The next quarterly deadline to register for the No-Call List is February 28, 2011. In order to remain on the state's No-Call List, consumers must register every two years and the list is updated January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st of each year. Consumers who are interested in registering their cell phone numbers and landline numbers should visit NoCall.Wisconsin.gov or dial 1-866-966-2255. Both the website and the toll-free number are available 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
Rep. Kerkman with her husband, Judge Chad Kerkman, and their sons Ian and Evan.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On behalf of the Kerkman family, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. I hope the holiday season brings back happy memories and precious time spent with family and friends. My office will be closed December 24 - 25 and December 31 - January 1 for the holidays before reopening on Inauguration Day on January 3rd.
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(608) 266-2530 - Fax (608) 282-3666 - Toll Free: (888) 534-0066 - Rep.Kerkman@legis.wisconsin.gov
On the Internet: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm66/news