October 1, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Oktoberfest weekend! I hope everyone has been enjoying this beautiful fall weather! This week's e-update highlights the Holmen High School Teacher of the Year, transportation funding, 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

Holmen High School teacher receives statewide recognition

Holmen High School agri-science teacher Roger King was recognized by State Superintendent Tony Evers as the Wisconsin High School Teacher of the Year during the 2015 State of Education address. Mr. King was presented with an award during the event which was held at the State Capitol in Madison. Congratulations Roger! Holmen High School is fortunate to have an outstanding educator like yourself and I know you have made your community proud.

Additional information on the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year award can be found on the Department of Public Instruction website here.
 

Senator Janis Ringhand Column:
Working toward a long-term transportation solution

Now that the people of the United States have rejected the failed candidacy of Governor Walker, we have an opportunity to shift focus and fix the problems facing Wisconsin. Prior to his 70 day foray into the presidential race, Governor Walker crafted a hastily prepared state budget that was more of Presidential campaign document than one meant to get Wisconsin back on track.

Instead of focusing on issues to help raise his profile amongst Republican primary voters, it is now time to bring our tax-dollars home and accept the $360 million in funding for BadgerCare and use those savings to restore the $250 million cut to the UW System and provide additional funding for our public education system. While Republicans have consistently and repeatedly declined to accept the money to expand BadgerCare, we should focus on an area that has had bi-partisan agreement and support for decades, our transportation budget.

I call on Governor Walker to bring the legislature into special session in order to deal with the transportation funding crisis. What ultimately passed was $500 million in borrowing with an additional $350 million in bonding that can be released by the Joint Committee on Finance upon the request of the Department of Transportation (DOT), an overall cut of $450 million.

As reported by Forward Janesville, “the first $200 million of this bonding was to be released this year upon WisDOT’s request to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance. That request has still not been made, resulting in the disheartening news about the I-39/90 project. We thought that the legislature had a deal in place to release this funding, and were hoping that some of these funds could be applied to the I-39/90 project. But it is our understanding that some members of the Wisconsin Senate have discouraged WisDOT from requesting this additional funding.”

If Republican Senators block the release of the funds, the resulting cut to the transportation program would be $700 million.

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, based on input from the Department of Transportation (DOT), stated that a $300 million cut over the biennium to DOT’s Major Highway Development Program would delay highway projects throughout the state. For example, the USH 10/441(Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago Counties), STH 15 (Outagamie County), USH18/151 (Dane County) and I-39/90 (Rock and Dane Counties) projects would be delayed by two years. The Republicans went even further and slashed the major highway program by an additional $50 million over the biennium. Who knows how long these and other projects would be delayed if the Republican controlled Finance Committee refuses to release the $350 million it holds in reserves.

The I-39/90 project has long been a priority for our area. The reconstruction and expansion of this 45-mile stretch of I-39/90 between Madison and the Illinois state line will make needed safety improvements, aid state tourism and help create more economic development along the corridor, one of the busiest stretches of highway in the state. According to DOT traffic counts about 70,000 vehicles a day use the corridor. Nearly 35 percent of the traffic count come from heavy trucks.

This project has been talked about for a long time. In 2001, the state funded a study of the project but other projects have been prioritized ahead of it. As a result Forward Janesville, a 500 member economic development group, formed the I-39/90 Now Coalition in 2010 to help educate people on the importance of the project.

Business leaders realize the importance of this project not only for the local economy but the entire state as well. The Center for Freight & Infrastructure Research at UW-Madison that found the roadway is responsible for moving $650 million to $800 million worth of commerce each day. The roadway has deteriorating pavement, traffic congestion creates frequent backups, and it has accident rates higher than the statewide average for similar roads. Delaying this project is jeopardizing safety and economic development.

Transportation has never been a partisan issue and shouldn’t be one now. Roads are crumbling and projects are being delayed in areas represented by Democrats and Republicans alike. This is an issue we should be able to work together on and solve. People and businesses in every part of the state deserve a safe and efficient transportation system.
 

Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) represents the 15th Senate District in Southern Wisconsin.

Weekly Democratic radio address:

"Protect Access to Birth Control"

This past week, I offered the Democratic radio address. In the radio message, I urged legislators to protect access to birth control and focus efforts this fall on restoring school funding, reducing student loan debt and increasing retirement security.

"Let’s not make it more difficult by restricting access to preventive care and blocking access to birth control. Let’s find ways to work together on issues that hardworking Wisconsinites actually care about – like restoring school funding, reducing student loan debt and increasing retirement security. It’s time to abandon Gov. Walker’s failed ‘divide and conquer’ strategy and focus on the issues that will help move our state forward, together."

The audio file of last week’s address can be found here: http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen32/shillingradio9.24.15.mp3
 

Action in the Capitol

Left Photo: Recently, the State Senate held a reunion event and more than seventy Senators attended. In total 1,032 people have served in the Wisconsin State Senate including 28 women. Among the attendees were former Senators Brian Rude and Mark Meyer who shared many of their great memories and stories.

Right Photo: I had a nice time meeting with representatives from Kwik Trip for the Wisconsin Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Education Session in the Capitol. You can learn more about Kwik Trip's alternative fuel options at https://www.kwiktrip.com/Fuel/Alternative-Fuels.

News Across the State

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scott Walker backs GOP plan to overhaul civil service system
Just three days after ending his presidential run, WisconsinGov. Scott Walker sought to reassert his conservative credentials Thursday by backing a proposed overhaul of the state's civil service system for 30,000 employees, saying its safeguards against political patronage in hiring and firing state workers need to keep up with the times and the crush of retiring baby boomers. –Read Full Article

La Crosse Tribune: Counties to show off worst roads in grassroots campaign for funding
Frustrated by the Wisconsin legislature’s unwillingness to provide adequate transportation funding, local governments are preparing to take their case to the public by highlighting some of their worst crumbling roads and bridges. –Read Full Article

Wisconsin State Journal: WEDC awards increase as job creation numbers fall
The state’s flagship job-creation agency handed out nearly $90 million more in economic development awards last year than the previous year, yet those awards are expected to create or retain almost 6,000 fewer jobs and result in $400 million less in capital investment. –Read Full Article

News 8: Investigates Dorm Gap part 1
The residence halls at U-W-La Crosse are over-crowded. Budget cuts and the lack of on-campus housing has lead to packed dorm rooms and more students looking for a place to live in the community. –Read Full Article

La Crosse Tribune: Family Care, IRIS changes worry advocates of disabled, elderly
Karen Pellowski of Trempealeau fears that changes to long-term care programs for disabled and elderly people could obliterate the progress her son, Jason, has made in establishing a degree of independence in his life. –Read Full Article

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram: Calendar shows how little candidate Walker was in Wisconsin
If it felt like Gov. Scott Walker didn't spend much time in Wisconsin after announcing his run for president, it's because he didn't. Walker's official calendar released to The Associated Press under the state's open records law shows he spent one day in July in Wisconsin on official business after launching his presidential candidacy July 13. Walker also spent the majority of August and September on the road campaigning, although his calendars showing what official events he attended in Wisconsin have not yet been released. –Read Full Article

Wisconsin Public Radio: Economist cautious on latest Wisconsin jobs report
Wisconsin’s latest jobs report shows unemployment rates for August 2015 decreased in all 72 counties and in all 12 metro areas compared to August 2014. However, an economist warns that while the results sound good, actual statewide job growth has not improved much in the last year. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DOT puts brakes on 5 major road projects in budget crunch

The state Department of Transportation is delaying five major road projects for at least two years because it doesn't have the money for the work under the state budget crafted by Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Republicans in the Legislature. -Read Full Article

Republicans fail to learn from Gov. Walker's mistakes 

Undeterred by Gov. Walker’s presidential collapse, legislative Republicans in Wisconsin continued their efforts to defund community health centers, restrict access to birth control and prohibit lifesaving medical research. Three legislative proposals, Senate Bills 237, 238 and 260, were advanced by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and met with broad range of bipartisan opposition.

Despite Gov. Walker’s decision to drop out of the presidential campaign, legislative Republicans continue to push through several divisive and misguided attacks on women’s health care. Hardworking Wisconsin families are tired of these ‘divide and conquer’ politics that seek to tear communities apart rather than bringing our state together.

In addition to efforts to defund community health centers, legislative Republicans have targeted lifesaving medical research despite strong objections from leading researchers, the medical community and the state’s largest business advocacy organization, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

Wisconsin has long been a global leader in bioscience research and lifesaving medical advances. While Republican legislators are distracted by efforts to block research and outsource Wisconsin jobs, Democrats remain committed to building on our strong bioscience foundation, investing in education and encouraging new medical advances. I urge my colleagues to reject this dangerous and misguided attack that will block the cutting edge research that could one day lead to cures for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

According to a recent report by BioForward, Wisconsin’s bioscience industry generated $27 billion in economic activity in 2013 and supported over 105,000 direct and indirect Wisconsin jobs.
 

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 Organic Valley!

Founded by a group of Wisconsin family farms in 1988 under the name Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool (CROPP) Cooperative the sale of produce expanded into the production and local distribution of vegetables and dairy products. The brand name "Organic Valley" was adopted and has become the largest organic farmer cooperative in the world. They have over 200 premium organic products including milk, cream, cheese, butter, eggs, meat, soy and produce.

Organic Valley's philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the environment. There are 1,800 farmer-owners in thirty states, and as of 2014, the Cooperative employed over 800 people. This includes 400 people employed at the headquarters in La Farge, WI with another several hundred employed at the distribution center in Cashton, WI. It is exciting that a second building will be opening in 2016 on the Cashton campus to accommodate the growth of Organic Valley!
 
I've always thought that Organic Valley chocolate milk is the champagne of chocolate milks, but you can judge for yourself! 
 

2015-2016 Wisconsin Fall/Winter Event Guide

If you and your family are looking for fun activities to do this fall and winter look no further than the Travel Wisconsin 2015-2016 Fall/Winter Event Guide!  A 40-page, full color guide to 500+ Wisconsin events from September 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016.

This guide also includes holiday craft fairs, harvest festivals, winter carnivals, and snowmobile races. You can reply to this email or call my office at 608-266-5490 to request a copy of this State Fall/Winter Event 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

New video takes viewers on a tour of Wisconsin State Parks

From biking, hiking and camping to kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding and more, the Wisconsin State Park System has something for everyone, and a new video is inviting people to take a tour of the properties and then stop by and visit one. -Read Full Article

See salmon run!

Up and down the Wisconsin shores of Lake Michigan, chinook salmon are staging for the biggest race of their lives - a final run to spawn in rivers including the Root in Racine, Kewaunee in Kewaunee County and Strawberry Creek in Door County. -Read Full Article

This fall, get outdoors to support Wisconsin's state wildlife areas

Autumn brings scenic foliage and mild temperatures, and for those interested in enjoying the outdoors, it is a perfect time to enjoy one of Wisconsin's wildlife areas, natural areas and state parks. -Read Full Article

Want to learn to hunt? Fun group events can help you get started
People interested in learning how to hunt for their own food, but not sure how to get started can sign up for a Learn to Hunt event, which combine classroom instruction and ends with a real hunt with an experienced hunter. -Read Full Article

Grants available for hunter recruitment, development, training and education programs
Local conservation clubs, organizations, communities, individuals, governments, tribes, and colleges and universities have until Nov. 17, 2015 to apply for cost sharing to develop and conduct hunter training, development, and education programs. -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.