January 7, 2016

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The new year is here, and the State Senate is off to a fast start already. Bills are being introduced and legislators are preparing for upcoming policy debates and discussions. Next week will be the first days of the spring floor period, and I am looking forward to a vigorous and productive session.

This e-update highlights recent jobs numbers, some of the Senate Democratic legislative priorities laid out by Senator Julie Lassa, the Democratic radio address, the local business of the week, and more!

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

Layoffs hit new high under Gov. Walker, Administration confirms worst year yet for mass layoffs in Wisconsin

In a sign of growing economic turmoil, Gov. Walker’s administration quietly acknowledged over the busy holiday season that Wisconsin surpassed 10,000 layoffs last year as a result of plant closings and economic challenges. This dismal news confirms that 2015 was Wisconsin’s worst year for job losses since Gov. Walker took office - far exceeding the 6,186 workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closings in 2014. The dramatic spike in layoffs is surprising given the strong economic growth in our neighboring Midwestern states.

I’m concerned these mass layoffs aren’t setting off any alarm bells among Republican leaders in our state. We are in the midst of an economic crisis. Wisconsin is hemorrhaging jobs at a rate we haven’t seen since the Great Recession and our middle class is shrinking faster than any other state in the nation. Thousands of families are struggling to find a job because the policies being pushed by Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans simply aren’t working.

Instead of focusing on economic development, Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans have prioritized bills to dismantle the Government Accountability Board, limit investigations of political corruption and increase special interest campaign influence. Additionally, deep budget cuts to local schools, public infrastructure and economic development programs have resulted in widespread layoffs and contributed to Wisconsin’s poor economic climate.

We need to get serious about turning things around and expanding economic opportunities in our state. From early childhood education and student loan debt relief to strengthening retirement security and investing in infrastructure, Senate Democrats continue to call for action to help hardworking Wisconsin families. Rather than addressing these challenges, Republican leaders have allowed Gov. Walker’s presidential campaign and special interest groups to drive their political agenda. With more layoffs on the horizon, I hope that we can recognize the gravity of this situation and begin to turn things around in Wisconsin.

Sen. Lassa's New Year's Resolutions for a better WI

There's a lot the legislature can do to move our state forward in 2016. Thanks to State Senator Julie Lassa for sharing some of her ideas to create jobs, strengthen our schools and fix our roads! Below is a recent column she shared:

As the old year ends and the new one begins, many of us make New Year’s resolutions. Reflecting on the state of Wisconsin as we enter 2016, it seemed to me that government leaders could also stand to adopt New Year’s resolutions of their own to address our growing challenges and return to our traditional values.

Return to open government: Many of the recent proposals of the governor and Republican leaders in the Legislature have been designed, not to help average citizens, but to protect themselves from public scrutiny. From attempting to severely weaken our state’s open records laws, to exempting themselves from John Doe investigations, to hiding the identities of their campaign donors, to abolishing the highly-respected, non-partisan Government Accountability Board, Republicans have drawn a veil of secrecy over state government. It’s time we return to Wisconsin’s historic commitment to clean, open government, and stop placing elected officials above the law.

Restore our schools and universities: Over the past six years, our public schools, technical colleges and universities withstood historic cuts in state funding. The resulting damage is beginning to show. Local school districts are cutting education programs and scrambling to keep their doors open. University faculty are leaving to find more competitive salaries and secure positions elsewhere. Companies are thinking twice about locating in Wisconsin because they know that defunding public education will make skilled employees even harder to find. If we want to avoid long-term harm to our economy and our children’s quality of life, we must reinvest in our education infrastructure.

Fix our roads: You don’t have to do much driving around the state to know that many of our roads are falling apart. One of the greatest failures of Republican leaders in 2015 was their inability to find a solution that would allow us to repair our state, county and town roads and keep projects on schedule. We can’t continue to ignore our transportation infrastructure, and we can’t simply rely on the state credit card to fund it. We need to come together on a bipartisan basis to look seriously at all of the funding alternatives, and then have the political courage to put forward a balanced plan that protects the billions of dollars taxpayers have already invested.
Address our workforce crisis: As the Baby Boom generation retires, our skilled workforce is tightening. Many industries are already having difficulty finding skilled employees, and the Department of Workforce Development predicts that within 20 years, our workforce will actually begin to shrink. This will make it difficult for businesses to expand or locate here, and will lead to a downward economic spiral that will affect all of us. A number of bipartisan proposals have been introduced, including two bills I authored that would use student loan debt relief to keep and attract skilled workers to the state, especially to rural areas. It’s time for the Legislature to act.

Get serious about job creation: Wisconsin continues to lose out on the national economic recovery. We’ve fallen to 37th nationwide in new job creation, and we are dead last in new business startups. Meanwhile, our state job creation agency has lost credibility, both with the Legislature and general public. Gov. Walker and Republican legislative leaders must finally take economic development seriously, and move to restore both effectiveness and public confidence to our state job creation efforts.

I could add to the list: addressing the student loan debt crisis, getting back our federal tax dollars to expand BadgerCare, managing our groundwater resources and more. There is much work that needs doing. I hope that legislative leaders will resolve to make progress on these vital issues that affect the lives of everyone who calls Wisconsin home.

- Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point)

Weekly Democratic Radio Address:

"Looking forward to 2016"

Recently, I offered the Democratic radio address. In the radio message, I reflected on the past year and looked forward to a productive 2016.

"Rather than getting distracted by misguided efforts to consolidate political power and pit individuals against each other, I’m hopeful that 2016 will be a year of growth, innovation and opportunity for Wisconsin families." - Sen. Shilling

The audio file of last week’s address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen32/shillingradio12.30.15.mp3

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 Mt. La Crosse!

Mt. La Crosse is one of the Coulee Region's premiere downhill skiing and snowboarding locations. Featuring three double chairlifts, one rope tow, 100% snowmaking, lessons for all levels, and children's weekend programs, Mt. La Crosse has everything you need to enjoy an outdoor adventure with family during the winter months. But don't take my word for it, Travel Wisconsin recently featured Mt. La Crosse in their Ski Resort Bucket List: Wisconsin's Top Downhill Runs. So stop on by Western Wisconsin's very own Mt. La Crosse and enjoy this terrain park with ski and snowboard equipment rental packages, a ski shop, food, and a comfy lounge to take a break from the slopes for some hot cocoa.

Thank you to the fine people at Mt. La Crosse for providing this scenic park for all of Wisconsin to enjoy!
 

WisconsinEye Updates

This year, WisconsinEye launched their new and improved website. With all new user-friendly changes, following the happenings of the Capitol is easier than ever.

The best way to get involved in the legislative process is to stay informed on the important issues facing our state, and I am grateful for all the work the staff members at WisconsinEye do each day to keep Wisconsin families and voters informed.

2016 Committee meetings have already begun, so make sure to tune in!

News Across the State

WXOW La Crosse: Law makers call for Department of Corrections reform

In the wake of an investigation into a Wisconsin juvenile prison, democratic lawmakers are calling for increased safety and reform for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. -Read Full Article

The Cap Times: Wisconsin environmental groups, developers clash over property rights bill

Environmental advocates clashed with developers and lawmakers on Tuesday over a bill that would scale back regulations for development on Wisconsin bodies of water. -Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrats unveil bills to address prison staffing shortages

A Democratic state senator unveiled bills Tuesday aimed at addressing staffing shortages at prisons that officers contend have led to unsafe conditions and worker fatigue. -Read Full Article
 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bill would lift protections on some historic effigy mounds

Landowners could excavate and possibly develop some of the surviving Indian mounds of Wisconsin — many dating back more than a millennium — under legislation by two lawmakers. -Read Full Article

The Cap Times: Wisconsin Legislature: Five bills to watch in 2016

Last year was a busy one in Wisconsin's Capitol. Republicans used their majority to usher right-to-work legislation, a partial repeal of prevailing wage laws and major changes to campaign and elections oversight into law. But that doesn't mean there's nothing left on the agenda for 2016. -Read Full Article

WPR: Democrats Prepare To Push Their Legislative Agenda In New Year

Wisconsin Democrats will push for a return to "the peoples' priorities" in 2016, saying majority Republicans in both chambers of the state Legislature have veered from those issues. State Senate Minority Leader Jen Shilling said there's a reason recent polls have shown low approval ratings for Republican lawmakers. -Read Full Article

Wisconsin State Journal: GOP lawmakers lead new effort to lift nuclear freeze

The Wisconsin Legislature is moving toward eliminating restrictions on nuclear power that were enacted after the 1979 meltdown at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania focused public attention on the potentially dire consequences of accidental releases of radioactive material. -Read Full Article

WISN: Unemployment rises in 29 of Wisconsin's largest 32 cities

Unemployment rates rose across most of Wisconsin's largest cities in November. Preliminary data the state Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows unemployment rates in 29 of the state's 32 biggest cities increased from October. -Read Full Article

WPR: Milwaukee Gun Homicides Have Soared In 2015

Gun Deaths Increased By About 40 Percent Compared To Last Year -Read Full Article

Don't miss Free Fishing Weekend!

The weekend of January 16 is this year's Free Fishing Weekend!

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun!

Congratulations Organic Valley!

 LA FARGE — Organic Valley’s family of businesses have reached $1 billion in sales for 2015.

According to Hans Eisenbeis in the media department at Organic Valley’s headquarters in La Farge, the cooperative zeroed in on the milestone Tuesday and Wednesday. The cooperative increased sales from $972 million in 2014.

“That’s a new record for annual sales for us,” according to Eisenbeis. “So we are still seeing steady growth as mainstream consumers begin to choose organic food, and natural grocery store customers continue to buy Organic Valley products.”

Eisenbeis said new products launched by Organic Valley in the past year helped the cooperative lead trends in the organic food industry.

“We launched grassmilk yogurt to meet consumer demand for more products that are made with 100 percent grassfed cows (no grain),” according to Eisenbeis. “On the other side of the spectrum, Organic Valley launched milk protein shakes in 2014. In 2015, one of them — Organic Fuel — became the top-selling organic milk protein shake in the country.”

According to Eisenbeis, consumer support for core products like butter, half-and-half, cream and cheese was also strong.

The cooperative’s fresh produce had a “great year” and “we sold out of eggs regularly,” according to Eisenbeis.

“I think we’re most proud of staying true to the mission of serving small family farms, and making farming a viable career for the next generation of farmers,” Eisenbeis said.

Organic Valley, based in La Farge, is the largest organic foods cooperative in North America.
 

Action from Across the State

Left Photo: In December, the Lincoln Middle School Brass Band made their annual trip to the Capitol! The symphony orchestra, choir and flute quartet also performed in the rotunda and brought some much needed holiday cheer to the Capitol. Thank you, Lincoln Middle Schoolers!

Right Photo: The Cashton Public Schools had a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the remodeling and expansion project. It was great to see students lead the tour through the new facilities that includes a fitness center, agricultural lab, multimedia lab, welding and metals processing lab and new library. This is a great addition to the school and will benefit the community for years to come!
 

Wisconsin DNR updates

News from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:

Expanded catch-and-release season, stream reclassifications greet trout anglers in the 2016
Trout anglers have much to celebrate in 2016 as an expanded early trout season gets underway and ongoing habitat improvements are contributing to upgraded stream classifications. - Read Full Article

Milwaukee Bucks team up with the Department Of Natural Resources for "DNR Nights"
Even though deer hunting seasons have come to a close, bucks are still on the mind. It's not just white-tailed bucks we're talking about. The Department of Natural Resources is also focusing on the Milwaukee Bucks who they will team up with to bring back "DNR Nights." - 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

 "like" me on Facebook      "follow" me on Twitter     visit my website

If you wish to stop receiving these emails, please reply to this email
with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.