OFFICE HOURS IN CADOTT
I will be holding office hours in Cadott on
November 7, 2011. The office hours give me a chance to talk with you
about any concerns, suggestions, and opinions you may have about issues
in the state. The location and time are listed below:
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Four Corners
641 S Highway 27, Cadott
I look forward to talking with you about what issues are in the
forefront of your minds. I am grateful to have a chance to speak with
all of you, and I hope you are able to attend.
SCHOOL CHOICE- SENATE BILL 234
Senate Bill 234 (SB 234) makes a few changes to the
current choice program, several which clarify the provisions passed in the
2011-2012 budget. SB 234 is a bipartisan bill that aims at improving the
already successful choice program. Yesterday, it passed in the Assembly with
bipartisan support.
Clarifications:
• Allowing the choice schools to verify income through the Department of
Revenue
• Allowing students that are currently in the choice program to stay in the
choice program even if there is a change in family income
• Allowing choice schools to charge certain fees for things such as school
lunches, sporting equipment, and music instruments
• Removing the National Council of Private School Accreditation from the
list of organizations allowed to preaccredit choice schools
• Allowing local or regional governments to issue occupying permits if the
school is located in a township that does not issue these types of permits
New Accountability Provisions:
• Holds leaders of choice schools that have been terminated from the program
accountable by not allowing them to be involved with other choice schools
for 7 years
• Schools that received an exemption from accreditation through PAVE must
now become accredited by 2016
UPDATE: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM
A few weeks ago, I talked about the WHEDA Small Business Development Loan
Guarantee Program. The difficulty small businesses are having getting
financing was a point of discussion at a recent job forum in Eau Claire.
Special Session Senate Bill 2 (SS SB 2) helps address this problem. SS SB 2
passed in the State Senate 33-0 and passed in the State Assembly last night
on a voice vote.
Currently, the Small Business Development Loan Guarantee Program can
guarantee $200,000 of the principal of a loan. SS SB 2 with the amendment
raises it to $750,000 of the principal of a loan. It also brings the program
statewide so that more job developers can have access to affordable
financing. This program has been underutilized in the past, but expanding
eligibility will help our small businesses in the future.
If you would like to read the bill and see the bill history, please go to
the following link:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/se1/sb2 .
UPCOMING SURVEY
I am planning to do a fall survey on my website in the next few weeks so
that I can hear your input on a wide range of topics. I hope you will be
able to find time to fill it out when it is ready and let me know your
opinion. The survey will be put on my website with its own unique link.
The link to my website is:
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/larson/Pages/default.aspx.
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