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,

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

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.                 

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.

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.”

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.

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

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!

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!

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

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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