July 23, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope everyone is having a great summer and was able to beat the heat this past weekend! This week's e-update highlights the budget signing, news coverage of the budget, summer activities and events, Wisconsin DNR news, and a new business of the week.

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

Sen. Shilling column: Leverage investments to spur job growth

Wisconsin is struggling economically. While other states have invested in their communities and boosted family wages, Wisconsin has seen stagnant job growth and a declining middle class. It’s no secret that the “cut and borrow” approach over the last four years hasn’t worked. So where do we go from here?

It’s simple. Stop cutting and start growing.

By working together to strengthen our schools, expand access to health care and invest in modern infrastructure, we can grow Wisconsin’s middle class and create thousands of good-paying jobs.

We are a diverse and hardworking state. In order to succeed, we need a team approach to leverage our shared assets and lift all communities equally.
Whether it’s an energy-saving upgrade to reduce utility bills at a local school, a broadband project to boost internet access in a rural community, the construction of a cultural center to encourage creative thinking and tourism or a highway expansion to improve safety and reduce traffic, communities across Wisconsin rely on one another to leverage our public resources and maximize private investments.

Like many in our state, I was skeptical when Governor Walker first proposed borrowing millions to help pay for a new arena facility in Milwaukee. I recognized the importance of this project and what it meant for our state, but I didn’t think it was the best deal for taxpayers or workers. I knew we could do better.

I wanted to see a more fiscally responsible plan that strengthened our state's bottom line and included stronger protections for all Wisconsin families.

By listening to local residents and working to find a more bipartisan solution, we have been able to leverage additional private investments, reduce the amount of state borrowing, increase the amount of state funding available for schools and create thousands of quality, family-supporting jobs for Wisconsin workers.

Keeping the Milwaukee Bucks in Wisconsin and encouraging more than $1 billion in private sector economic development will benefit everyone in Wisconsin. Best of all, the new plan doesn’t raise taxes and it ensures first and foremost that Wisconsin workers are protected. The state won't be on the hook for future maintenance or repair costs, and we can invest additional revenue into our schools and communities.

With these improvements to the governor’s original proposal, this investment is good deal for taxpayers, workers and families across Wisconsin.

But the same can be said for other state investments as well.

We all know it’s better to invest in quality schools and affordable higher education than additional prison cells. It’s better to help working families get regular health checkups and preventive care than pay for expensive emergency room visits. It’s better to keep our lakes and rivers free from arsenic and mercury than clean up industrial pollution later.

Across Wisconsin, I want to make sure that we are strengthening communities by responsibly leveraging our public resources to encourage private investments and expand economic opportunities.

Generating more revenue for our schools and creating thousands of family-supporting jobs with a new Milwaukee arena project is a good deal for working families that I am proud to support. I know it is a much better deal for families than the “cut and borrow” alternative and I hope that this spark of bipartisanship will renew our desire to come together and invest in other forward-looking priorities across our state.
 

News Coverage of Republican Budget

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Arena deal a good sign for the city
A deal for a new downtown arena in Milwaukee may be at hand — finally — after the state Senate passed a measure last week to finance construction. And, as before, we support the basic thrust of the financing arrangement: half paid for by the public and half by the owners and former owner. –Read Full Article

Manitowoc Herald News: Manitowoc UW Extension braces for budget cuts
Faced with a statewide 8 percent budget cut, staffing in Manitowoc County UW Extension may not change as drastically as departments in other counties. The cut is a part of a $5.2 million state budget cut recently signed by Gov. Scott Walker. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WIAA on home-school sports law: ‘It’s just confusing’
A new state law that allows home-school students to play on school district sports teams is causing confusion for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association, which says the law conflicts with its membership requirements. –Read Full Article

Beloit Daily News: Officials: Deep state cut will hurt UW-extension
With the $5.2 million in cuts to the University of Wisconsin Extension, officials say there’s no doubt programming will be impacted at UW-Extension Rock County. “We’ve never had this big of a cut. It will be restructuring our entire organization,” said Angie Flickinger, UW-Extension Rock County co-department head and family living educator. –Read Full Article

Fox 11: Investigates growing prison staffing shortage
The Wisconsin prison system has a problem keeping enough trained correctional officers on the payroll. To find out what's going on behind the high walls and razor wire, FOX 11 Investigates sat down with three prison sergeants. Combined they have stood guard over dangerous criminals, protecting our communities, for decades. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New report manufacturers continue to struggle
A sharp drop in automotive manufacturing was offset by growth in some other areas, leaving U.S. factory production flat for a second straight month in June, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday. –Read Full Article

The Chippewa Herald: Wisconsin unemployment rate stays at 4.6 percent in June
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says the state's unemployment rate remained unchanged in June at 4.6 percent. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The ever divisive Scott Walker
Scott Walker took on a demanding new job on Monday, one that will consume his time like nothing he has ever done. How will he manage the job he already has? We'll see. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW Extension dealing with state spending cuts
Vacant job openings will remain unfilled, and some staff cuts are coming, as the result of a reduction in state spending for the University of Wisconsin Extension. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The flawed Republican budget
And now, it's off to Iowa. And Nevada. And South Carolina. And New Hampshire. The state budget is done, and Gov. Scott Walker is gone — or soon will be — as he stumps for president. –Read Full Article

 

Around the District

         
Left Photo: The 32nd Senate District is featured again on Discover Wisconsin's page. Can't argue with this view! Right Photo: Congratulations WKBT News 8 This Morning, Jennifer Livingston, Bill Graul and Crew on your 15 year anniversary! Thank you for delivering the news and some laughs to our region! Looking forward to the next 15!
 

Statement on budget signing

Here is my statement on the signing of the 2015-17 state budget:

Since Republicans took control in 2011, Wisconsin’s budget has ballooned by more than $10 billion, yet funding for our schools is down more than $200 per student with more cuts on the way this year. Investments in our UW schools, our parks, our roads and our communities have been slashed while the special interests who are backing Gov. Walker’s presidential campaign have reaped millions in new tax breaks.

Families in Wisconsin deserve better than a part-time governor and a rubberstamp legislature. Rather than selling out Wisconsin to advance Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions, we need to focus on ways to boost family wages and strengthen the middle class. Given the bipartisan opposition to this fiscally irresponsible budget, I hope that we can find common ground moving forward and invest in a brighter future.

Weekly Democratic radio address: "Prioritize Wisconsin values"  

This past week I offered the weekly Democratic radio address. In the radio message, I expressed support for investments in schools, local communities and infrastructure projects to boost Wisconsin's economy.

"While the rest of the nation is enjoying strong economic growth, family wages are declining in Wisconsin and the state ranks dead last in the Midwest for job creation. Rather than selling out Wisconsin to advance Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions, we need to work together to lift up all families and move our state forward."

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen32/shillingradio7.16.15.mp3

 

Stream Girls: getting Girl Scouts in the stream!

This article arrived on my desk moments after I sent out my last e-update featuring Coulee Region trout fishing and the Driftless Angler. In keeping with the trout fishing theme, here's a Trout Unlimited newsletter article about Stream Girls, a new program that teaches Girl Scouts about streamside vegetation, fish habitats, water quality, fly tying and casting. Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers came from across the state to launch this pilot program. I can't wait to watch this program grow!

You can read the full article here.

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 weeks featured business is the Timber Coulee Cottage!

Nestled in the beautiful and scenic Timber Coulee, this is a peaceful retreat with the finest streams right outside your backdoor! With breathtaking views of the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley you are surrounded by the highest rated trout streams in the region. Only a short drive to Viroqua, Westby or La Crosse there are endless possibilities for recreation, entertainment and relaxation.

Plan your next getaway to the Timber Coulee Cottage! 

Hillsboro People Fest Music Festival

Step right up and join us for our 7th Anniversary!

August 6 - 8, 2015 at The Bullpen in Hillsboro, WI
Over 300 Acres in the beautiful Driftless region.

The People Brothers Band is excited to bring you the best People Fest yet!
We are celebrating our seventh year with the circus theme and have lots of surprises planned for you, along with some of the most talented bands in the Midwest.

We invite you to come down to the farm and spend the weekend with a
bunch of other music lovers in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin. We are proud of the community that comes to our festival every year
and would love to have you be a part of it.
Get your clown nose ready and buy your ticket for the Greatest Show in Hillsboro!

Click here for more information.

 Summer in Wisconsin!

Are you and your family looking for some fun things to do this summer? Discover Wisconsin recently highlighted fun activities in Wisconsin that you can do for free!

In addition to the breathtaking overlook of La Crosse and several hiking trails it is no surprise that Grandad Bluff was at the top of this list.

Urban Oasis

Interested in urban gardening? Check out this fun article featuring State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison), his wife Nancy and their beautiful urban oasis. They've done an amazing job transforming this vacant lot and generating local buzz with their "bee-partisanship." (Rumor has it, this secret garden is where Fred keeps his fountain of youth too!)

You can read the full article here.

Wisconsin DNR Updates

Federal breeding survey estimates highest continental duck population on record
Fall waterfowl hunting seasons are right around the corner, and 2015 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates show the highest continental duck populations since the survey began in 1955. -Read Full Article

Sale of wildlife stamps has restored and enhanced millions of acres of habitat in Wisconsin
 More than half a million acres of wild turkey habitat restored and enhanced and nearly half a million acres of pheasant habitat restored and enhanced, mostly on lands open to public access for hunting are among the projects Wisconsin sportspeople have contributed to through the purchase of state wildlife stamps. -Read Full Article

Entries for wild turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl stamp design contest due July 24
Artists interested in having their work featured on the 2016 Wisconsin Wild Turkey, Pheasant, or Waterfowl Stamp need to submit their entry before July 24. Collectively, these stamps raise about $1.5 million each year for habitat conservation in Wisconsin. -Read Full Article

Draft master plan for Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area available for public input
Early-successional forest habitats and protection of lake, stream, and wetland communities are among the primary objectives of the draft Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area Master Plan, a Department of Natural Resources managed property located 10 miles west of Rhinelander. -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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