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(608)266-5780 | State Capitol, Room 307 West, P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 | rep.billings@legis.wi.gov
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Travel Wisconsin Free
Parks Weekend
June 6 and June 7, all day
This weekend only, there is
no charge for admission to any state park, forest, recreation area or
trail. At most locations, there will also be special, free activities.
Coulee Region Transportation Study Round 2 - Onalaska
Tuesday, June 9, 5-7 p.m
Eagle Bluff Elementary School
200 Eagle Bluff Court
Onalaska
Coulee Region Transportation Study Round 2 - La Crosse
Wednesday, June 10, 5-7 p.m
La Crosse Central High School
1801 Losey Blvd.
La Crosse
Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 20, 6-11 a.m.
Ruedy Farm, W104 Culpitt Rd.
Bangor, WI
Celebrate Dairy Month by enjoying a delicious breakfast at one of our local farms!
CONTACT ME:
State Capitol
Room 307 West
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
Phone:
(608) 266-5780
Toll Free:
(888) 534-0095
rep.billings@legis.wi.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Over the past few weeks, I have heard from so many people in La Crosse,
who have told me how the proposed budget will affect their family and
their livelihood. For some, it could mean cuts to their kids' school, a
loss of valuable community programming, or even the loss of their job
and income.
It seems at every turn, Joint Finance Republicans are forgetting about
the real Wisconsin families these harmful policies will affect. Read on
to learn more about last week's Joint Finance Committee decisions, as
well as other news from around the state.
Best Wishes,
Jill Billings
State Representative
95th Assembly District
BUDGET UPDATE: JOINT FINANCE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Last week, the Joint Committee on Finance met to discuss budget changes
to K-12 education, the UW System, and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship
fund.
Gov. Walker's initial budget involved a $150 per pupil cut to Wisconsin public schools, totaling approximately $127 million over the biennium. Joint Finance Republicans did not follow through with this proposal, but instead proposed and passed an even more devastating measure for our schools. As part of an omnibus motion on education, Wisconsin's statewide voucher program would be able to siphon off $48 million from schools in this biennium according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Over the next 10 years, this proposal is estimated to cost public schools $800 million.
In April, we heard from Rep. Robin Vos, "if we don’t have an
accountability system, we're not gonna do statewide school choice."
However, without even making an effort to increase accountability,
Republican legislators put forth a motion that could siphon money
straight from our public schools and deposit the funds directly into
unaccountable voucher programs.
Gov. Walker's drastic cuts to the UW System remained in the budget. JFC
Republicans voted to cut $250 million from the UW System. With student
loan debt reaching record highs, slashing the UW System budget is not
the right choice for the future of our state. This cut not only hurts
our future workforce, it hurts our current workforce. At UW-La Crosse,
this cut will mean a loss of over $1 million in jobs. These are our
neighbors, friends and people we see every day in our community, who
spend their dollars locally.
Unfortunately, JFC Republicans did not unfreeze Walker's proposal for
the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, a program that is used to preserve
valuable natural areas and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and
fisheries, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. Each year
investments from the Stewardship program provide jobs across the state,
along with billions in revenue. The Stewardship fund took a massive hit
to its capabilities in the form of a $15 million cut annually.
The choices Republicans are making in Madison will have real
consequences in our communities.
The Joint Finance Committee will meet next week to take up the final
portions of the state budget -- including how to fund transportation and
the contentious Milwaukee Bucks stadium. By state statute, the budget is
supposed to be signed into law by June 30th. Joint Finance needs to
finish their work, the bill needs time to be re-drafted to reflect
changes made by Joint Finance Committee, the Assembly and Senate must
have time to review, debate and vote on the bill and then it reaches the
Governor’s desk for possible vetoes and his signature.
Teacher Licensing
As part of the JFC Republicans' omnibus motion on education,
qualifications to acquire a teaching license in Wisconsin were severely
loosened. The text of the motion specifically created a "points" program
that would allow DPI to grant a teaching license. To get a teaching
license, an applicant would need a total of 100 points. Possessing a
bachelor's degree in a technical subject would automatically give the
applicant 100 points -- and in order to receive a license, an applicant
must have a minimum of 25 points in both industry experience and
pedagogical experience. However, the more concerning determinations
include a provisions which state "for industry experience in a trade or
technical field, five points per 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 90
points," and "for an internship in a trade or technical field, 25
points." According to this type of point system, an individual could get
a teaching license with a few months' technical experience -- and still
no formal education or significant teaching experience.
In general, this means that any individual possessing the vague
"industry experience" -- even without a formal education -- could teach
grades 6-12 in our state. For our schools, creates the potential for
completely unqualified individuals teaching our children.
Education standards have been slowly slipping in our state over the
years as Republican legislators continue to prioritize the funding of
unaccountable private voucher schools, a reduction in state testing
standards, and now a fall in qualified educators.
Our children should be our state's first priority -- and with more than
75 percent of students in public schools, our state should logically be
devoting the necessary time and resources to public education.
20-WEEK ABORTION BAN BEING FAST-TRACKED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE
Republican members of the Senate Committee on Health passed the controversial 20-week abortion ban bill this week. This bill would make it impossible for a woman to get an abortion in the state after 20 weeks "postfertilization" (a term not used by medical professionals). Termination of pregnancy this late in pregnancy is very rare -- and is only considered in cases that involve severe fetal anomalies where or a serious risk to the woman's health. These are extreme medical cases. In these circumstances a physician needs to be able to present facts and counsel their patient and the mother needs to be able to consult with family and faith community to decide what is best for her. In no way should politicians be inserting themselves in this decision.
The bill was extremely controversial as it does not contain exceptions
for rape or incest, life of the mother, or even situations where the
child will not survive. To be clear, elective abortions are not legal in
Wisconsin after the 20-week mark. Therefore, this legislation would only
affect those who require an abortion for medical purposes.
Although the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, The American
Academy of Pediatrics, The American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, and the Wisconsin Medical Society oppose this bill; the
Senate Health Committee passed this legislation out of committee and is
expected to vote on this bill on the Senate floor next week.
Click here to learn more about the debate and hear from our local
physician, Dr. Merkitch.
WISCONSIN BIKE WEEK
June 6 through 13 is Wisconsin Bike Week! Celebrate Bike Week by getting out with family and friends and enjoying La Crosse's many parks and trails.
As part of Wisconsin Bike Week, members of the Wisconsin Bike Federation
are holding a "Ride to the Loggers," where La Crosse residents are
encouraged to ride their bikes to Copeland Park and stay for the 7:00
p.m. Loggers game Thursday, June 11.
There will also be a Bike Rodeo and Neighborhood ride on Sunday, June 7
starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Hogan Administrative Building.
And finally, join the Bike Federation at the Bike Week closing ceremony,
held at the Cameron Park Farmer’s Market from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Friday,
June 12 when you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors and bike with bike
federation leaders and local legislators.
Click here for more information on La Crosse bike week events.
