January 22, 2015 |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's hard to believe that we are already almost a month into the
2015-2016 legislative session!
With committee hearings, legislative advocacy days and floor session
votes the
Senate and Assembly is in full swing. This e-update highlights the
Senate Democrat's Wisconsin Families First plan, the first
edition of the local business of the week and some recent news from the DNR.
I hope you find this information helpful, and don't forget to
get out and enjoy all of the fun upcoming events in western
Wisconsin!
Sincerely,
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/JSsignature.jpg)
Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/Websiteicon.jpg)
|
Wisconsin Families
First Plan |
While the rest of the nation is recovering
from the Great Recession and experiencing strong job growth,
Wisconsin families continue to struggle as a result of a lagging
economy, stagnant family wages and a budget that’s in the worst
shape of any state in the nation. With Gov. Walker distracted by
his presidential ambitions and Republican leaders at odds over
their legislative agenda, Senate Democrats have stepped forward
with a plan to put Wisconsin Families First.
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/Wisconsin%20Families%20First.PNG)
It’s time to end the distractions of Washington politics and
start putting the needs of Wisconsin Families First. Democrats
want to help build an economy that works for everyone, not just
the wealthy and well connected. Our plan to put Wisconsin
Families First will increase economic opportunities and provide
all residents with greater financial freedom and security.
The Wisconsin Families First plan focuses on growing Wisconsin’s
economy by investing in families, businesses and public
infrastructure. It will provide greater protections for
Wisconsin students, promote good jobs, strengthen health care
and invest in local communities.
We are focused on addressing the issues that matter most to
working families, children and seniors in our state. It’s time
to get to work, tackle the tough issues and do the job that
voters elected us to do.
Several legislative proposals to encourage job creation,
increase family wages and strengthen local communities have
already been proposed by Senate Democrats. Over the coming days
and weeks, they plan to introduce additional legislative
proposals as part of their Wisconsin Families First agenda.
For more information on the Wisconsin Families First agenda and
legislative proposals, individuals can visit the
Senate Democratic website or
click here to sign our petition to put Wisconsin Families First.
|
Success of
Democratic worker training bill
highlighted by
Gov. Walker |
Last week, the Department of Workforce
Development announced that thanks to legislation authored by
myself and Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), the
agency's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) no longer
has a waiting list for people with disabilities seeking worker
training assistance. Governor Walker also recognized Rep. Shankland’s
and I in his State of the State address. The Democratic proposal was signed into law
last session as 2013 Wisconsin Act 58 and ensures that workers
with disabilities are able to access career guidance and
counseling, job search and placement assistance, rehabilitation
technology, job training, transportation, and more.
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/repshankland.jpg)
I appreciate Gov. Walker highlighting the success of this
Democratic proposal in his State of the State address.
Empowering individuals with special needs to identify their
unique abilities and maximize their potential is a win-win
situation for workers and our economy. I know that by investing
in proven worker training and economic development programs, we
can create new jobs and help to build a brighter future for our
state.
Rep. Shankland and I introduced this legislation after it was
reported that the state’s DVR program had a waiting list of over
4,000 individuals. The DVR program provides valuable vocational
and job training services to people with disabilities by
creating individualized plans for employment and removing
barriers to employment.
“I’m proud that our bill has succeeded in
helping thousands of people with disabilities find meaningful,
long-term employment,” said Rep. Shankland. “Working across the
aisle to put people back to work should be the legislature’s
focus, and this bill exemplifies the good work we can do when we
make that a priority. I hope we can build on this success this
session by focusing on creating economic opportunity for
everyone.”
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/DVR%20bill%20signing%20photo%20w%20Gov.%2012.6.13.JPG)
While the DVR waiting list has been eliminated, unemployment and
underemployment of people with disabilities in Wisconsin
continues to be a serious concern. Democrats have committed to
strengthening worker training and job assistance programs for
all residents this session and plan to introduce several worker
training and job creation proposals in the coming weeks.
|
Investing in
Wisconsin Families |
Wisconsin families are working harder than ever, but many are
finding that no matter how much they sacrifice or how many hours
they put in, they live every day on the verge of economic and
financial insecurity. The burden of rising student loan debt,
the outsourcing of jobs, and the ever-increasing costs of health
insurance and child care are making it difficult for families to
get ahead.
Despite these challenges, we know that there is a path to
success, and we don’t have to look far for solutions. Take our
neighboring state of Minnesota for example. Four years ago, they
found themselves in a similar position as us. Like Wisconsin,
they faced a budget deficit as a result of the national
recession and an economy that was struggling to create jobs.
While Wisconsin leaders made deep cuts to education, local
services and worker training programs, Minnesota took a
different approach and invested in local schools. They expanded
access to affordable health care and raised their minimum wage
to encourage economic growth. As a result, Minnesota is
outperforming Wisconsin in terms of job creation, business
climate and family income. And because of their growth,
Minnesota has a $1.2 billion budget surplus while Wisconsin
faces a $2.2 billion deficit.
Now I know that our Viking neighbors to the west could learn a
thing or two from us when it comes to football, but we should
still take a close look at their state’s success and find new
ways to invest in our future and build a stronger Wisconsin.
As we seek to balance our budget and build a brighter future,
Democrats are committed to focusing on the important issues at
hand. We will continue to put forward thoughtful proposals that
improve workplace flexibility, increase economic freedom and
invest in pro-growth policies to expand the middle class.
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/1.21.15WIFamiliesFirstSmall.png)
In fact, two of the bills we’ve already introduced this session
aim to strengthen our schools and encourage local job creation.
We recognize that these aren’t Democratic or Republican issues.
They’re Wisconsin issues and we must find ways to work together
on these key priorities.
One area where I hope we can find bipartisan support is
investing in our local schools, technical colleges and UW
campuses. We know that a quality education provides the
foundation for lifelong success, yet state cuts, local funding
challenges and the massive increase of student loan debt have
become a significant burden for families. By making targeted
investments in our schools, we can improve education outcomes
and better prepare workers for the high-tech jobs of the 21st
century.
A skilled workforce is only one part of the equation however.
One of our top priorities as Democrats is to help businesses
improve productivity, reduce employee turnover and provide
greater workplace flexibility. We want to focus on increasing
access to affordable childcare and reducing health care costs in
order to eliminate the barriers that prevent employers and
employees from succeeding in a competitive global marketplace.
We also recognize that our government has a responsibility to
strengthen communities and private enterprise by maintaining a
strong public infrastructure. From repairing aging roads and
bridges to encouraging broadband access in urban and rural
areas, we need to ensure that our infrastructure is an asset,
not a liability, to businesses growth.
Despite our challenges, Wisconsin remains a unique, vibrant and
hardworking state full of amazing people and unparalleled
potential. We all want strong schools, a thriving economy and
the security of knowing that we can give our children a brighter
future.
These goals are all within our reach, but we need to find new
ways to work together, invest in our communities and expand
opportunities for everyone.
In Wisconsin, we know that our state does better when we all do
better. Together, let’s find common ground and work to move our
state onward, upward, and forward.
|
Mark your calendar
for National Wear Red Day |
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/WearRedLogo.png)
Please join the American Heart Association as we kick-off Heart
Month and celebrate, National Wear Red Day
on Friday, February 6th.
Wear Red Day is a special day designed to raise
awareness of women and heart disease. Each year 1 in 3 women die
of heart disease and stroke, but we can change that because 80
percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and
lifestyle changes.
There will be heart month activities happening across the state
throughout the month. Senator Alberta Darling and I will be
co-hosting a Heart Month event in the State Capitol on February
4th. If you are in Madison, please join us to learn more about the American Heart
Association’s Go Red activities and National Wear Red Day.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Senate Parlor, Capitol
(Group photo 2:45, please wear red)
The Capitol wear red group photo to be shared by the American Heart Association
on social media on Friday, February 6, Wear Red Day. If you are
active on social media, we encourage you to share your own wear
Red Day photos to help further spread awareness about women and heart
disease. We will be using the hashtag #GoRed.
|
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 the
business of the week is Viroqua's very own soda brewery,
Wisco
Pop!
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/Wisco-Pop%20photo.gif)
Wisco Pop’s craft brewed soda is now
available in chilled single-serve bottles at restaurants and
retail stores. You can purchase their bottles of Root Beer,
Ginger or Cherry soda at the
Viroqua Food Co-op,
Driftless Cafe,
Rooted Spoon,
BrewDog,
The Root Note and the
bottles are also sold at restaurants and stores in Madison and
Milwaukee.
Real. Fresh. Soda! Congratulations Wisco Pop on
expanding your business throughout the state! |
Health Insurance
Open Enrollment |
If you need assistance or have questions
about the marketplace enrollment for health insurance Scenic
Bluffs will be hosting an free event where staff will be
available to assist with enrollment questions. Open enrollment
ends on February 15, 2015.
![](http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/sen32/Photos/ScenicBluffs.png)
When: Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Where: Vernon County Human Services
318 Fairlane Drive Suite 100, Viroqua, WI 54665
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
For more information contact: 608-654-5100 or 608-823-7853
|
Wisconsin DNR updates |
News from the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources:
32
communities, groups and nonprofits receive grants to support
health of urban forests
Thirty-two communities, nonprofit groups and counties will share
$483,747 in 2015 state grant dollars to promote and sustain
urban forest resources in Wisconsin. -
Read Full
Article
More than 30 candlelight events scheduled at
Wisconsin parks, forests and trails
If Mother Nature cooperates, there will be more than 30
candlelight events at Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and
nature centers this winter. -
Read Full Article
Learn to
Hunt for Food: 'Soup to nuts' for foodies and novice hunters
Outdoors fans who eat local, take care of matters themselves but
don't have a background in hunting, can sign up to take a Learn
to Hunt for Food program. -
Read Full
Article
|
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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