December 10, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you had a safe Thanksgiving full of food, family and football! The last few weeks were busy as I enjoyed the holidays with family and traveled the state sharing the Senate Democrats' agenda for the upcoming legislative session. This week's e-update highlights the Badger Blueprint, application details for the Senate Scholar Program, 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!

Sincerely, 

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

WPR: Wisconsin Senate Dems Unveil Agenda For Upcoming Session 

The state Senate's two top Democrats unveiled their party's legislative agenda for the next session Thursday, highlighting proposals they say will help Wisconsin's economy and the middle class.

Many of the bills, however, will face an uphill battle in a Legislature controlled by Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling unveiled the so-called "Badger Blueprint" at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Shilling said Republican priorities in recent months have focused on things like John Doe laws and the Government Accountability Board. She argued constituents care more about the economy.

"Nobody ever came up to me and said, 'Sen. Shilling, I think dismantling the Government Accountability Board is a good idea," she said.

Shilling and Assistant Minority Leader Dave Hansen said their party's focus in the next session will be on restoring aid to public schools, infrastructure, and holding down interest rates on student loans. Hansen acknowledged that agenda will be hard to get through.

"We may be polar opposites, because I think we are representing the constituents of our state," he said.

The next session begins Jan. 7.

Students encouraged to apply for
Senate Scholar Program

The Wisconsin State Senate Scholar Program is now accepting applications from high school students ages 16 to 18. The Senate Scholar Program is a week-long educational program offered by the Wisconsin State Senate that provides high school students with a hands-on, up-close view of the Legislature’s role in our democracy. Senate Scholars gain experience in many diverse areas such as policy development, constituent relations, and processing legislation by working with senators, legislative staff and University of Wisconsin faculty.

Students in classrooms across our state today will go on to be the leaders of our future. Encouraging young adults to learn more about our government and get involved at an early age has always been a goal of mine. This program is a great way for students to see how our government functions and gain valuable hands-on experience. In recent years, several Coulee Region students have had the opportunity to participate, and I encourage local students, schools, and teachers to learn more about this valuable program.

Information about this program and the application process can be found online at www.senatescholar.com or by contacting Dr. Tammy Wehrle, Legislative Education and Outreach Officer, at (608)261-0533 or tammy.wehrle@legis.wi.gov. All applications for the 2016 Senate Scholar program are due by January 3, 2016. Students can apply at any time and have their application considered for future programs if they aren’t immediately accepted. While this is a highly competitive program, each Senate district is allotted a minimum number of participants.

*This photo shows one of last year's Senate Scholars from the 32nd Senate District!
 

Weekly Democratic radio address:

"Giving Back This Holiday Season"

Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd (D-Milwaukee) offered the following weekly Democratic radio address on giving back to the community this holiday season.

"We want you to join us in giving back. Whether you donate food to a food pantry, serve food at a local food bank, or give a gift to a child in need through a Holiday Giving Tree, each of you has a part to play in helping your neighbors this holiday season." - Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd


The audio file of the address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen06/harrisdoddradio12.2.15.mp3
 

News Across the State

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Household income takes sharp downturn in most of Wisconsin

Median household income fell by a significant margin in two-thirds of Wisconsin counties from 2009 to 2014, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.-Read Full Article

The Cap Times: As deficit looms in Wisconsin, Minnesotans fight over how to spend $1.9 billion surplus

Wisconsin may have a firm hold on Paul Bunyan's Axe, but Minnesota has the Badger State beat with its budget surplus. While Wisconsin's budget, enacted in July, sets the state up for a $210 million structural deficit, legislators across the Mississippi are arguing over how to spend a $1.9 billion surplus. -Read Full Article
 

Wisconsin State Journal: Scott Walker administration finding new way to deny public records

Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has found another novel method to deny the public access to government records. In at least two recent cases, the administration says it doesn’t have to keep certain “transitory” records and therefore can’t release records it doesn’t have. -Read Full Article

Wisconsin State Journal: Admins removed amid DOJ investigation into 'mistreatment of youth' at juvenile facility

A top Department of Corrections official and a facility administrator were removed from their positions last week amid a state investigation into allegations of mistreatment of youth at a state prison for juvenile offenders. -Read Full Article

University of Wisconsin Report: Three-quarters of 2014-15 graduates had debt

A new University of Wisconsin System report says nearly 75 percent of graduates during the last fiscal year left school in debt. The report, prepared for regent review at their meeting Friday, found 74 percent of UW System in-state graduates in 2014-15 had an average debt of $30,650. -Read Full Article

Wisconsin State Journal: Bill would permit closing all tax-subsidized land, more cutting of state forests

Public access to Wisconsin's 3.3 million acres of tax-subsidized timber land could end, more state forests could be logged, and the state would have less control over logging and protecting threatened species, under a broad bill getting a hearing before an Assembly panel Tuesday. -Read Full Article

La Crosse Tribune: Former DNR officials urge EPA help protect Wis waterways

The former head of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources and dozens of other retired DNR officials are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the state's water protection program. -Read Full Article

Bi-Weekly Office Hours

Now that the Senate has wrapped the Fall 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.

Free, Local Affordable Care Act Assistance in December

Local agencies are once again partnering to provide individual assistance to community members who have questions about health coverage and enrollment options through the Affordable Care Act. December events are listed below & community members will be seen on a first come first served basis. Events will be staffed by Certified Application Counselors, Navigators & Insurance Agents. There is no charge for these events.

La Crosse County - Monday December 7th from 3:30-6PM
La Crosse County Health & Human Services
1st floor administrative conference room
300 4th St N
La Crosse, WI 54601

Vernon County - Wednesday, December 9th from 2-6PM
Vernon County Human Services
Erlandson Office Building.
318 Fairlane Drive, Suite 100
Viroqua, WI 54665

Monroe County - Thursday, December 10th from 2-6PM
Sparta Area School District Admin Bldg
Lugar de Reunion (use Spring Street Entrance)
201 E Franklin Street
Sparta, WI 54656

Jackson County - Tuesday, December 8th from  5-7PM
Black River Memorial Hospital
711 W. Adams Street
Black River Falls, WI 54615

Trempealeau County - Tuesday December 15th from 4-8PM
Western Technical College-Independence Campus
36084 Walnut Street
Independence, WI 54747

 

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 Ritter's Fish Market!

Owners Jeff and Sue Ritter have been selling fish at local grocery stores for years, but as of October 1st, 2015, customers can visit Ritter's Fish Market for a full line of smoked fish, including salmon, catfish, sturgeon, perch and carp. Many other tasty items are also found at the store, including pickled fish, honey, fresh cheese curds on Thursdays, frog legs, crawfish, and the Ritter's Market signature carp jerky. So if you’re looking for some delicious seafood this season, make sure to stop by Ritter’s Fish Market! An official grand opening for the new location in Prairie du Chien will take place in the Spring.

Thank you Jeff and Sue Ritter for expanding your business and serving up delicious seafood to the Coulee Region! Congratulations on the new opening, and here's to many years of success in the future!
 

Tourism in Wisconsin

It's never to early to start planning winter trips, especially if you enjoy staying active during the colder months. Only in Your State has created a list of 12 Unforgettable Places In Wisconsin That Everyone Must Visit This Winter.

From snowmobiling to ice skating, and everything in between, make sure to get out and try some exciting winter activities this season!

Action Around Wisconsin

Left Photo: Happy Retirement, Dave Clements! Thank you for 40 years in the tourism industry, most recently with the La Crosse Visitors and Convention Bureau. Your enthusiasm and vision in promoting our region is greatly appreciated. Thank you and best wishes!

Right Photo: Recently, I traveled across the state to talk about the Senate Democrats' Wisconsin Badger Blueprint plan and our ideas to expand economic opportunities. I sat down with reporters from several news agencies including WXPR Public Radio in Rhinelander, the WJFW Tv12 NBC studio, and the Oshkosh Northwestern and Fond du Lac Reporter. Thank you all for having me, and thanks to the listeners out there who are supporting our agenda to move Wisconsin forward! You can learn more, and share your thoughts on the Badger Blueprint here.
 

Wisconsin DNR Updates

Eagle plate and printable card make holiday giving easy
Wisconsin's new eagle license plate makes a great holiday gift and a new printable holiday card makes it even easier on the giver.
People can print off the whimsical holiday card, enclose a check to purchase the specialty license plate, and give it to the outdoors lover, bird watcher or first-time driver in their life. -Read Full Article

DNR review nearing completion on Waukesha diversion application
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is completing its review of the city of Waukesha's water diversion application.
Within 30 to 60 days, the department intends to forward the technical review, a preliminary final environmental impact statement and application materials to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body, which is composed of the other Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario for regional review. -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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