Back-to-School

It was an exciting week at the Kerkman home preparing for the first day of school.  Best wishes to everyone for a healthy, happy, and engaging school year and many thanks to all the wonderful teachers who work and/or live in our communities! 

Samantha and Chad Kerkman with their sons on the first day of school. 

Cell Phone Ban for School Bus Drivers 

Many of us are aware of the dangers associated with talking on a cell phone while driving a vehicle.  According to the US Department of Transportation, using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reactions as much as if he or she had a BAC of .08 percent.  Although most responsible bus drivers would never consider using a cell phone while operating a school bus, the temptation to answer an incoming call is still there. 

I worked with my colleagues Senator Tim Carpenter and Senator Van Wanggaard on legislation that helps reduce that temptation and ensure our kids are safe while riding a school bus.  In May, we introduced Assembly Bill 131 and this week I testified on the bill before the Assembly Transportation Committee.    

AB 131 prohibits school bus drivers from using a cell phone while transporting and loading/unloading pupils but provides an exception for making emergency 911 calls.  Violators are subject to a fine of $200 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense within two years.  Additionally, the Department of Transportation is required to cancel the driver’s school bus license endorsement after the second offense within two years. 

I believe that Wisconsin should join the other states which have enacted this common-sense safety restriction.  When parents put their children onto a school bus they are entrusting the driver to take the children safely to and from school, field trips, and extra-curricular activities.  I would like to thank the dedicated and professional school bus drivers who fulfill that trust every day.

Judge Barbara A. Kluka Retires

Judge Barbara A. Kluka was honored at a retirement party on August 25th for her twenty-two years of service as a Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge.  Judge Kluka was the first woman to serve on the Circuit Court of Kenosha County.  Additionally, contributed her time and knowledge to many court-related and community activities including speaking on the court system, sponsoring and mentoring UW-Parkside and Carthage College students; serving as Associate Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College, Director of the Wisconsin Trial Judges Association, Director of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference, a member of the Gateway College Court and Conference Advisory Committee, and multiple advisory committees.  Representative Peter Barca and I were on hand to present Judge Kluka with a citation from the Kenosha County Legislative delegation recognizing her accomplishments. 

Representatives Peter Barca and Samantha Kerkman present a citation

to retiring Judge Barbara A. Kluka

Thanks for a Fair Time

Thank you to everyone who attended the Kenosha County Fair.  About 86,750 people attended this year's fair, it's highest attendance if three years.  Heather Edmunds was named Fairest of the Fair, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department set up in an area just outside the Commercial building and gave daily demonstrations (including a taser demonstration on Thursday), and fairgoers had a wealth of exhibits, animal judging, auctions, concerts, rides and food to experience.  If you missed the Fair, check out West of the I's coverage of merit awards and events including the hay bale throw and combine demolition derby.  I had a great time again this year and enjoyed meeting and speaking with many of you.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by, and I look forward to seeing you next year! 

Special Guests Tour the State Capitol

Summer is a beautiful time to visit the State Capitol and this month I had the opportunity to meet and tour the Capitol with with Junior Girl Scout Troop #5944 from St. Charles School, Girl Scout Troop #5743 from Karcher Middle School, and Ralph and Lisa McCarthy and their daughters.  The McCarthy family was presented with a Wisconsin flag flown above the statehouse and were surprised to meet Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack during their personalized tour.  Schedule a tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol online or by phone (608) 266-0382.  Let me know if you plan to visit; I'd love to greet you in person! 

Representative Kerkman is pictured with Girl Scouts and the McCarthy family

during their August visits to the Capitol. 

Happy Anniversary Kenosha Beef / Birchwood Foods

Kenosha Beef is celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year.  Established in 1936 by Mr. Frank Vignieri, Kenosha Beef is a third-generation business currently comprised of two daily operating divisions: Birchwood Foods and Birchwood Transport. They have been nationally recognized as an outstanding meat processing business by the American Meat Institute and have been consistently recognized by customers for product quality, satisfaction, and service, culminating in Supplier of the Year honors.  Kenosha Beef was presented with a Citation from the State of Wisconsin this summer congratulating the company on it’s 75^th anniversary and commending the employees and the Vignieri family on their dedication to the agricultural industry and their service to the community.   

Pictured at the Kenosha Beef Anniversary Luncheon are

Dennis Vignieri, current President/CEO, Charles Vignieri, and Samantha Kerkman

Update on Caylee's Law

Senator Julie Lassa - the lead author for the Caylee's Law in the Senate - and I met last week to work on details of the bill.  In addition to requirements to report the death or disappearance of a child as previously mentioned in Capitol Insight, Wisconsin's efforts will include felony provisions for unauthorized persons who hide or bury a corpse of a child or for anyone who hides or buries a corpse with intent to collect Medical Assistance, benefits or services under Wisconsin Works or Food Stamps. 

Representative Kerkman and Senator Lassa continue to find common ground

while working together on Caylee's Law.

September 11th Anniversary Events

On September 11, 2001 our nation was attacked in a series of four coordinated passenger jet hijackings by al-Qaeda terrorists.  Remembrance events are planned nationwide; locally, we can remember together on September 11th at 2:00 PM in Kenosha at United We Sing: A Patriotic Remembrance or at the Village of Silver Lake's  Ten-Year Remembrance Ceremony. 

Laborfest Planned for September 5th

Labor Day this year is Monday, September 5th and the annual Kenosha Laborfest has been scheduled for that day, beginning at noon and lasting until 7:00 PM at the St. Therese Picnic Grounds, 9005 22nd Ave in Kenosha.  Activities at the community event include honoring the 2011 Labor Person of the Year, pony rides and moon walk for children, and a door prize raffle benefiting the Shalom Center food pantry.  Raffle tickets cost one none-perishable food item or $1.00 each.  Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

To track the progress of legislation introduced this session, please visit

http//legis.wisconsin.gov and click on the Notification Service link found on the homepage.