October 29, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Capitol has been busy as legislators try to get bills passed before the end of the fall floor period. This week's e-update includes some safety tips for trick-or-treating, John Doe legislation, the weekly radio address, recent news coverage across the state, Wisconsin DNR updates, and a new business of the week.

I hope you find the information in this e-update helpful, and don't forget to get out and enjoy all of the fun upcoming events in western Wisconsin!

I hope everyone has a safe, fun and spooky Halloween!

Sincerely, 

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

Don't Be Scared... Be Prepared!

Halloween is this Saturday. Children love to dress up, enjoy parties and eat yummy treats. It’s great to have fun but remember that safety is the number one priority. Wisconsin Emergency Management’s “ReadyWisconsin” campaign has these safety tips and ideas.

Trick or Treat Rules
Children under the age of 12 should not trick-or-treat alone.
Children over 12 should walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Make sure your child or a responsible adult with them carries a cell phone for quick communication.
Only visit well-lit homes and never accept rides from strangers.

Be Seen
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
Fastening reflective tape to costumes and bags also helps drivers see you.

Safe Costumes
Make sure costumes (including masks, beards and wigs) are flame resistant.
Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
Test make-up in small area and remove all make-up before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
Do not allow your children to wear decorative contact lenses as they present a risk of serious eye injury.

Check Your Treats
An adult should examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
Avoid eating homemade treats made by a stranger.
When it doubt, throw it out.
 

Gov. Walker signs bill limiting John Doe investigations

Recently, Governor Scott Walker signed WI Act 64 into law making it harder to investigate and prosecute political corruption. This move has been slammed by good government groups and watchdog organizations.

Families I've heard from think Republicans should be less concerned about covering up Gov. Walker’s political scandals and more focused on helping hardworking Wisconsin families. This move is a gross abuse of political power at a time when we have a shrinking middle class, declining family wages and stagnant job creation in Wisconsin. Rather than enabling more corruption and covering up Gov. Walker's political scandals, I believe we should be helping working families, investing in our communities and encouraging economic prosperity.

Sign the petition to stand with Open Government in Wisconsin here.
 

Western Technical College Expansion

I recently toured the Western Technical College campus to check out their expansion. The Integrated Technology Center, and the Horticulture Education Center are both in various stages of construction. We were shown facilities including labs which will greatly expand the types of education and training the college can provide to students. Western Tech is also working with local businesses like Multistack, Trane and Kwik Trip to ensure training for students will lead to quality employment in the future.

Weekly Democratic radio address:

"Badger Blueprint will grow Wisconsin"

Senator Jon Erpenbach offered the Democratic radio address. In his radio message, Sen. Erpenbach highlighted the newly released Badger Blueprint plan to strengthen the middle class, boost family wages and create new jobs.

"By focusing on policies that encourage growth, drive innovation and increase opportunity, we can build an economy that works for every Wisconsinite and strengthens communities across our state. I encourage you to learn more and make your voice heard by visiting wibadgerblueprint.com." - Sen. Jon Erpenbach

The audio file of this radio address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen27/erpenbachradio10.8.15.mp3
 

Happenings in the Capitol

Top Left Photo: I had a great time speaking to the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute. These inspiring women are going to do great things!

Top Right Photo: It was another successful Oktoberfest in the Capitol this year! I enjoyed greeting the Oktoberfest delegation visiting from the La Crosse area and sharing our local successes with fellow legislators.

Bottom Left Photo: It was a fun time in the Capitol as we celebrated and welcomed our friends from the North. Canadian Consul General Roy B. Norton and his staff met with legislators and staff and had an educational booth for Capitol visitors to learn more about Canada.

News Across the State

Wisconsin State Journal: GOP proposals would limit Wisconsin school districts’ ability to raise revenue
Republican state lawmakers are seeking to restrict when and how local school districts can raise money from their local taxpayers at a time when the state is offering few new dollars for public schools. –Read Full Article
 

Racine Journal Times Editorial: Legislature hinders residents’ ability to follow the money
Republicans are positively giddy over in Madison lately as they attempt to reshape the state’s political campaign contributions and election laws landscape more to their liking. –Read Full Article
 

Beloit Daily News: Bad week for accountability
GOOD GOVERNMENT IN Wisconsin may not have died this week, but it’s gasping on life support. The message from the majority in Madison leaves no further doubt: No, you do not need to know. Go about your business and leave the details to us. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More in the dark than ever
Wisconsin's campaign finance laws were overdue for change after a series of court decisions over the past year. In recent months, the courts have allowed coordination between campaigns and issue groups and allowed individuals to give unlimited amounts of money to political parties. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Business News: Fixing Wisconsin's transportation finance shortfall

July marked the end of a contentious state budget process. Providing more funding for transportation needs was widely discussed, but reductions in the level of borrowing and delays in highway projects were the result. -Read Full Article

New York Times: Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill limiting political corruption inquiries
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who gave up his quest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination last month, signed into law on Friday a measure that limits a longstanding tool against political corruption that has been used in investigations of Mr. Walker and his allies. –Read Full Article

Associated Press: Wisconsin GOP abolishes John Doe probes, seeks other changes
Wisconsin Republicans are moving at breakneck speed to abolish secret investigations into political corruption such as one that haunted Gov. Scott Walker, do away with the state's unique nonpartisan elections board and legalize coordination between candidates and shadowy issue advocacy groups that don't disclose their donors. – Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More borrowing for roads isn't the answer

Gov. Scott Walker wants lawmakers to authorize the state to borrow $150 million this year because — surprise, surprise — there's not enough money to pay for all the road projects and maintenance needed in Wisconsin. So borrowing is OK but it's not OK to raise more money from taxpayers or find more sustainable revenue sources for transportation. And this is fiscally responsible how? -Read Full Article
 

Bi-Weekly Office Hours

As the Senate wraps up the fall legislative floor session, my district representative Taylor Goodine will hold several local office hours between November 3rd and January 5th. These office hours offer local residents an opportunity to meet with my staff, share their thoughts on state issues and request assistance with state agencies.

These listening sessions are open to the public and no RSVP is required. If individuals would like more information, they can contact my office toll-free at 1-800-385-3385 or email Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov.

WI Dept. of Military Affairs:

Prepare to “Fall Back” by Checking Home Detectors
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1, 2015

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday as we “fall back” and set clocks back one hour. This is also a great time to check the things that keep us safe and ready for emergencies such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

“This fall, we’ve already seen reports of people taken to hospitals after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Brian Satula, Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator. “In many cases, the source of the carbon monoxide is a malfunctioning home furnace.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, about 450 people each year in Wisconsin are taken to hospital emergency rooms for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and confusion. If you suspect you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, or your detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

“As we turn back the clocks, it’s important to also check home devices that protect our families from carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Karen McKeown, State Health Officer. “To prepare for winter weather, Wisconsin residents should ensure their source of heat and their carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.”

To protect your family from carbon monoxide, follow these safety tips:

• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores.

• Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually. Hire a professional to make sure it is functionally sound and vents properly outside the home.

• Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or in an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, RVs, and boats with enclosed cabins.

• Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside.

• Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

Smoke Detectors- Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Check and replace batteries if needed and make sure the devices around your house are working properly. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that about 16 million homes in the nation have smoke alarms that do not work, due, in most cases, to dead or missing batteries.

Emergency Kits- Everyone should have a basic emergency kit in their home with supplies such as food and water to last you and your family for at least three days. Other items like a battery powered or crank radio, flashlights, first aid kit should also be included. Daylight Savings Time is a perfect time to get a kit and if you already have a kit, check it to make sure food and other items are not near or past their expiration dates.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, visit: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/Air/fs/CO.htm.

For tips on emergency preparedness: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.
 

Local Business of the Week!

I always enjoy visiting locally owned businesses throughout the 32nd Senate District and will be highlighting a different local business in each e-update. This week's featured business is Purple Cow Sweetshop and Cafe!

Purple Cow Sweetshop & Café opened up in June of this year on Commercial Street in Bangor, WI, and has been “wowing” local customers ever since with its small town feel and delicious treats. Amber and Kou Lor founded Purple Cow as a modern day spin on the traditional drug store soda fountain experience. Offering everything from made-to-order panini sandwiches, hand-dipped super premium ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream of Madison, hearty salads, and hot bowls of soup, Purple Cow brings the perfect combination of health conscious, local food and delicious old school desserts to the Bangor area.

The business will be open year round from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as noon to 5:00 on Sundays and closed on Mondays. So make sure to stop by this family owned and operated shop (even Amber’s kids Alexis, Carson and Jadrian help out with the business!) for a sandwich, a hot bowl of soup, or maybe even the signature Purple Cow ice cream drink!

Thank you, Lor family for your contribution to our local economy!
 

Fall Tourism in Wisconsin

We are so fortunate to live in a state that has an abundance of activities to do all year round. If you and your family are looking for fun things to do the 10th Edition of the Travel Wisconsin Official Tour Guide is here to help!

An 80-page guide detailing more than 500 of Wisconsin's best attractions. Divided into seven travel regions, the guide is perfect for foodies, historians, shoppers, thrill seekers, sight-seers, naturalists and adventurers. You can reply to this email or call my office 608-266-5490 to request a copy of the Official Travel Guide.

Also, don't forget to check out the Dept. of Tourism's Fall Color Report for real-time updates and details from the statewide network of foliage reporters. You don't want to miss that beautiful fall foliage!
 

Wisconsin DNR Updates

Natural Resources Board to meet October 28 in Madison
Request to hold public hearings on two separate changes to the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program regulating wastewater discharges and adoption of a beaver management plan are among the items that the state Natural Resources Board will consider when it meets Oct 28 in Madison. -Read Full Article

Recently Introduced Legislation

If you are interested in legislation that is being introduced, the Wisconsin Legislative website posts bills as they are being introduced in the Senate and Assembly. Check it out and stay informed!  

 

Calendar of Events

I apologize if any upcoming events in the area were left off. If you would like me to include an event in future e-updates, please email me the date, location and a website with details.

Senator Jennifer Shilling
P.O. Box 7882 - Madison, WI 53707

phone: 608.266.5490   

email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov

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