I would like to begin this E-Update by thanking the residents of the 67th Assembly District for allowing me to represent them for another two years.  Serving you is not a responsibility I take lightly, and I will continue to do my best to be your voice in Madison once the 2015-2016 Legislature convenes on January 5.  I hope you will always feel free to contact me via phone, e-mail, or letter; my Capitol contact information is at the bottom of every E-Update.

In addition, I want to thank and congratulate Lindsay Kamnetz, my longtime legislative assistant, who joined the Madison Police Department earlier this fall.  If you've ever called my office, you probably spoke to Lindsay at one time or another.  Lindsay was my first staffer, and she did a wonderful job of helping me learn the ropes as a freshman representative.  About halfway through 2011, she joined the National Guard, in which she continues to serve, but she was able to return to my office for my second term in 2013.  I wish her all the best in her new position!

As you may imagine, things were pretty quiet around the Capitol this summer and fall, but things will pick up in earnest as the Assembly and the Senate prepare for the 2015-2016 legislative session.  Assembly Republicans have already announced their agenda for next session.  In addition, special study committees composed of legislators and private citizens have been meeting to develop legislation that addresses specific issues of interest such as technical college funding, adoption law, problem-solving courts, and personal property tax reform.  Finally, the 2015-2017 budget process has begun; the state agencies have submitted their budget requests, and Governor Walker will introduce his budget proposal to the Legislature early next year.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue to make Wisconsin a great place to live, work, and visit!