WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Bull’s Eye Credit Union and State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids) will be collecting cell phones throughout the month of October. The cell phone recycling program supports Cell Phones for Soldiers, a charity that uses recycling proceeds to buy and send free phone cards to military members stationed away from home.

“This program is a very easy way for us to show our gratitude toward our service men and women who are serving away from their homes,” Rep. Krug said.  “Keeping the lines of communication open between our service personnel and their loved ones is so important for morale and the emotional health of our troops.”

Area residents are encouraged to recycle their old wireless phones at either of the following Bull’s Eye Credit Unions from October 3-31:

“Bull’s Eye Credit Union was gracious enough to be the collection point for this charity drive,” Rep. Krug said.  “My sincerest thanks go to the employees and especially President David Stark for being so accommodating.”

The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was founded in 2004 by teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist as a way for military families serving overseas to keep in touch with family back home.  Since July 2007, AT&T has been working with Cell Phones for Soldiers to collect phones for the cause.  Every time a customer recycles a used wireless phone with AT&T, part of the proceeds support the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, which sends free prepaid phone cards to troops overseas.

This year, the group’s goal is to donate 12 million minutes to soldiers. With the help of wireless customers throughout the country, AT&T will match its 2008 recycling totals with the charity, year to year, through 2011, aiming to provide Cell Phones for Soldiers with $1 million in proceeds in that time.

“Our service members deserve our deepest gratitude for the sacrifices they make for our freedom,” said David Stark, President of Bull’s Eye Credit Union.  “Helping our military families remain together across long distances is the least we can do to support them, and I encourage all area residents to participate in this drive to show their gratitude to these great American patriots.”

Please share this with everyone on your e-mail list, we would love to collect as many cell phones as possible to help out our troops!!!!!!

Wisconsin Rapids – The State Assembly reconvened last week to approve a package of bills that will expand the state’s Jobs Tax Credit program and several transportation-related items aimed at making Wisconsin more competitive in the global marketplace.Under the Jobs Tax Credit Program, employers may claim a 10% tax credit for wages paid to new workers and for training costs.  Assembly Bill 1 will raise the annual cap from $5 million to $10 million.

“This money will be used by businesses to hire additional employees, pay higher wages, expand research and development and reduce debt,” states Krug

Assembly Bill 252, which Representative Krug co-sponsored, allows farmers to reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency by extending the time period in which heavier loads may be transported without a permit. The bill also gives farmers the flexibility to harvest later in the season when needed.

“It is absolutely imperative that we start working towards lowering the costs of transporting goods and services across the state of Wisconsin,” said Krug. “Whether its cranberries, corn, beans or hay the demand for our goods is skyrocketing, by reducing transportation costs for farmers and small businesses, we are allowing them to expand their business through job creation.”

“This is the start of many improvements to our transportation system in Wisconsin. We have to make sure that goods and services are moving in order to attract new businesses and new jobs, we need to make sure Wisconsin stays competitive,” said Krug.  “Nobody is going to invest in Wisconsin if we don’t first invest in ourselves.”

All transportation bills and the Job Tax Credit program passed with bipartisan support.

Our office has received our supply of Blue Books for the District and we are eager to get them to you.  Please contact us if you would like one.  Also if you are a teacher or know a teacher please pass this along to them.  We have study guides to go along with the Blue Books, a good way to teach Wisconsin history.

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