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In the past two weeks, I was appointed to the Wisconsin State Building Commission, which supervises all state building projects. The commission is involved from the initial approval of a project and continues to allocate funds throughout the building process.

One of the goals I have as a member of the commission is to promote the preservation of our beautiful historic buildings while also upgrading them to fit modern standards. This is exactly what I did when I voted to approve renovations on UW-L's historic Wittich Hall. You can read more about this vote, which took place during my first Building Commission meeting here. I am also looking forward to being a conscientious steward of Wisconsinites' tax payer dollars by putting them toward projects that better our state's infrastructure and invest in our future.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings@legis.wi.gov.

Please continue reading for more detailed information on the happenings both in La Crosse and statewide.

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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: "Winter Wonderettes" Dec. 15, 16, 21, 22 @ 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 @ 2 p.m. The Muse Theatre (MAP) Santa's Workshop Downtown December 15, 16, 17 December 20, 21, 22, 24 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. (MAP) Third Relation Jazz Quarter Tuesday, Dec. 19 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Root Note (MAP) "Plaid Tidings" Sunday, Dec. 17 4 p.m. Pump House Regional Arts Center (MAP) 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, In the past two weeks, I was appointed to the Wisconsin State Building Commission, which supervises all state building projects. The commission is involved from the initial approval of a project and continues to allocate funds throughout the building process. One of the goals I have as a member of the commission is to promote the preservation of our beautiful historic buildings while also upgrading them to fit modern standards. This is exactly what I did when I voted to approve renovations on UW-L's historic Wittich Hall. You can read more about this vote, which took place during my first Building Commission meeting here. I am also looking forward to being a conscientious steward of Wisconsinites' tax payer dollars by putting them toward projects that better our state's infrastructure and invest in our future. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings@legis.wi.gov. Please continue reading for more detailed information on the happenings both in La Crosse and statewide. Best Wishes, Jill Billings State Representative 95th Assembly District

Happy Holidays from the Billings Office! My staff and I hope everyone has a relaxing holiday season. No matter what you do, we hope you get the chance to spend quality time with family and friends. We are honored to serve the constituents of the 95th District, and we always enjoy hearing from all of you. This will be my last newsletter for 2017. I will resume sending updates on January 12 of next year. Thanks for being so engaged far this session. Stay warm and stay safe!

Committee Work Continues Even as the holidays approach, committees are still meeting frequently and legislators are hard at work hearing and passing bills in anticipation of a floor session early next year. The Committee on Transportation met last week to hear a number of bills including one that would impose stricter penalties -- and potential license revocation -- on drivers with multiple OWIs (AB 197/SB 135). In addition, the committee heard two bills, AB 594 and AB 594, which would change the laws regulating the moving of billboards within municipalities. I know the placement of billboards is an issue area that is very important to people in La Crosse, and I am opposed to these bills, which will give too much power to sign companies at the expense of local governments. I have already heard from some constituents on this issue, and would encourage anyone who feels passionately about this issue to contact me and/or the committee chair. The vote on these bill is currently scheduled for next Tuesday. The Colleges and Universities Committee will also be taking a vote next week, although the bills to be voted on have not yet been officially noticed. Last week, the committee heard bills pertaining to the transfer of college credits earned by high school students (AB 559), a student loan payment pilot program (AB 567), educational loan assistance for physicians and dentists engaging in certain charitable clinics (AB 598), and the creation of a crime victims legal clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School (AB 701). The Committee on Small Business Development will convene next week for a public hearing. Members will hear AB 498, a bill that waives the filing fee for student entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Additionally, we will hear AB 640, which seeks to establish an "Innovation Fund" to promote industry clusters in Wisconsin. If you have any questions about the abovementioned bills or any other legislation this session, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Rep. Billings in the District I had the opportunity to be a guest lunch server at Lincoln Middle School a couple of weeks ago. I loved getting to talk to the kids and teachers, and it brought me back to when my own kids went to school there! I participated in a panel with other other elected women in the La Crosse area to talk to university students and faculty about the importance of women running for office at all levels of government. No holiday season is complete without a visit to the Rotary Lights. They'll be open until 1 a.m. on January 1, so be sure to stop by and take in the 4,000,000 lights illuminating the park.

Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest Now Open From now until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is accepting idea abstract submissions. Wisconsin residents and those living outside of Wisconsin with intent to start a business in our state are invited to submit an entrepreneurial idea in the form of a 250 word abstract. This is the first step in a competition with more than $100,000 awarded to finalists. After an initial review, 50 of the abstracts will be chosen to advance in the competition, at which point they will need to submit an executive summary. The top 20 contestants will then write a 15-20 page business plan, and twelve finalists will be chosen to give oral presentations on their business ideas. I would strongly encourage anyone with a potential business idea to apply. Contestants receive access to mentors, which is an invaluable resource regardless of the outcome of the competition. Additionally, contestants can review judges' comments and feedback to learn from the experience. For more information about the Governor's Business Plan Contest or to enter the competition, click here.