July 9, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Independence Day this past weekend! After a five week stalemate, Republicans in the legislature rushed through the 2015-17 budget that included 135 non-fiscal policy items ahead of Gov. Walker's presidential announcement. Senate Democrats offered numerous amendments to restore funding for our K12 schools, UW campuses, and to accept the federal Medicaid money. These amendments were all rejected by the majority party and the budget was passed in the Senate on a 18-15 vote. This week's e-update highlights a few of the recent budget headlines, marriage equality ruling, cuts to education, President Obama's visit to La Crosse, 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

GOP budget deal will cost jobs and force more school cuts

After retreating behind closed doors for the past five weeks, Republicans emerged to announce nearly $500 million in cuts from needed road and bridge projects. This unprecedented cut threatens the safety and reliability of Wisconsin's transportation network and is estimated to cost the state more than 5,000 private sector jobs.

This latest self-inflicted budget crisis comes on the heels of new school funding projections that revealed more than half of all school districts in Wisconsin will see another cut in the upcoming school year. Democrats, parents and school advocates had warned of the potential fallout of under-funding Wisconsin's schools and urged Republican lawmakers to take additional measures to protect schools from another round of devastating cuts.

I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Republicans squandered the past five weeks coming up with a plan to eliminate 5,000 good-paying Wisconsin jobs rather than finding ways to restore the historic funding cuts to our local schools. At some point, legislative Republicans will have to realize that what's best for Gov. Walker's presidential campaign isn't what's best for the families who call Wisconsin home.

Families and businesses across Wisconsin rely on a safe and reliable transportation network for more than just getting from point A to point B. For thousands of Wisconsin workers, this latest Republican cut is very real and very personal. My thoughts go out to those hardworking families who will lose their jobs as a result of this irresponsible and self-serving decision. With leadership like this, it's no wonder why Wisconsin is dead last in Midwest job creation, dead last in business start-ups and dead last in middle class growth.

You can read Wisconsin State Journals article about the school cuts here.

News Coverage of Republican Budget Proposal

Wisconsin State Journal: Scott Walker's office helped draft changes to open records law
Gov. Scott Walker’s office was involved in drafting dramatic changes to the state’s open records law that would have made it harder for the public to monitor how its government works, a spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday. –Read Full Article
 

WEAU: As state budget finalizes, UW-System schools worry diversity classes may disappear
Now, as Wisconsin finalizes its state budget, many UW-System schools worry, classes dealing with diversity and multicultural studies may disappear. –Read Full Article
 

WXOW: State Budget doesn’t reflect state values, Billings says
The state budget is slated to be signed by Governor Scott Walker by early next week, but some local legislators say serious flaws still remain. Representative Jill Billings (D-95th District) said education is one of the hardest hit areas throughout the budget. –Read Full Article

Wisconsin Public Radio: Transportation Budget Will Slow Fox Valley Highway Project, Lawmakers Say
Two Fox Valley lawmakers are blasting the Joint Finance Committee for a move they say will delay completion of a major highway interchange. The measure came as part of the committee's transportation budget. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Campuses scramble to find who wins, loses in budget shakeout
The final budget numbers that University of Wisconsin campuses have been dreading for months were released late Monday, prompting a mad scramble on campuses to figure out the winners and losers. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Provision - Payday lenders could provide insurance, financial advice
Payday lenders would receive broad new authority to sell additional financial products and services, including insurance and annuities, under a provision the Joint Committee on Finance quietly added to the state budget late last week. –Read Full Article

Chippewa Herald: Highlights of state budget passed by Senate
The Republican-controlled state Senate passed the two-year state budget Tuesday on an 18-15 vote. –Read Full Article
 

Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

On June 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of defining marriage equality as a constitutionally protected right.

Our communities are strengthened when committed couples and loving families share equal rights under the law. This decision confirms what many in our state have known for years: Love is Love. While the ruling in this case has settled the debate over marriage equality, the fight for equal rights continues across our country. I am proud to stand on the right side of history and hope this ruling will help move our state forward and bring our country closer together.

Around the District 

Congratulations La Farge and Vernon Memorial Hospital on the opening of the new La Farge Medical Clinic! This is an exciting partnership that will continue to provide excellent healthcare to patients in the La Farge area. The state of the art clinic will provide the vision for many years of accessible healthcare, pharmacy, and child birth options for area residents.                                           Thank you for your commitment to patient care!

Weekly Democratic radio address: "Celebrate America, Support Our Troops" 

Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) offered the Democratic radio address last week. In her radio message, Sen. Lassa highlighted the work of the USO Wisconsin which has been supporting military service men and women since 1943.

"Along with providing food, entertainment, comfort and support to our service men and women, both here at home and around the world, USO provides a range of other services as well. ... There’s no better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than by showing our gratitude to the men and women who defend our freedom and liberty."

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen24/senlassaradio6.30.15.mp3

 

News Coverage of President Obama's visit to La Crosse

La Crosse Tribune: Since Obama was last here, La Crosse has prospered while Dems have been overshadowed
Since first meeting candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, this city on the Mississippi River has weathered a recession and the ensuing lukewarm recovery better than much of the rest of the country. -Read Full Article

Reuters: Obama jabs Republican candidates in Walker's Wisconsin
President Barack Obama ripped the policies of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and poked fun at the large crop of Republican presidential candidates on Thursday, injecting himself into the race to find his successor in 2016. -Read Full Article

Chicago Tribune: In Wisconsin, Obama heralds 'remarkable few weeks in America'
Wading into presidential politics, President Barack Obama on Thursday promoted his brand of middle-class economics by drawing sharp contrasts with "mean" Republicans in a state whose GOP governor was preparing to enter the vast 2016 presidential field. -Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Obama pushes economic agenda in La Crosse, chides Republicans
Now we know why President Barack Obama came to this city by the Mississippi River. So he could point across the river and contrast Gov. Scott Walker's policies with Democratic-controlled Minnesota during a hard-hitting economic speech at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. -Read Full Article

Politico: Obama badgers Scott Walker in Wisconsin
President Barack Obama shook hands and had a laugh with Gov. Scott Walker at the La Crosse, Wisconsin, airport. Then he drove over to the local university campus and compared him to a crazy “Uncle Harry” who’d betrayed the people of Wisconsin and American ideals. -Read Full Article

USA Today: Walker 'welcomes' Sanders and Obama to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is getting his licks in as some prominent progressives visit his state, Bernie Sanders and President Obama. -Read Full Article

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 Driftless Angler Fly Shop!

The Driftless Angler is a service fly shop located on the historic main street in downtown Viroqua.  They are centrally located within the thousands of miles of spring creek trout streams. With a wide selection and variety of flies and fly fishing gear they will make sure you are prepared for your next fishing trip. They even have a professional guide to help improve your skills!

Anglers of all skill levels should check out the the Driftless Angler!

State Capitol Update - A recap of recent votes "Under the Dome"

Wisconsin is home to almost six million people, but legislative Republicans carefully crafted this budget to benefit one person who just so happens to be running for president. 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.

While parents and families have said they want education to be a top priority for our state, Legislative Republicans continue to cut our schools and waste hundreds of millions on tax breaks for special interests. It's time to put Wisconsin families first, restore the cuts to our schools and invest in the future of our state.

Below are some key amendments that were taken up by the Senate in extraordinary session on July 7 during debate on the 2015-17 state budget (Senate Bill 21). A full list of session activities, budget amendments and votes can be found here.

K-12 school funding (Senate Amendment 4 to SB 21)
Summary: The Department of Public Instruction estimates that more than half of all Wisconsin school districts will see a reduction in state aid next year as a result of cuts to school funding. Democrats proposed investing an additional $270 million in categorical school aid to restore the local public school cuts and ensure that all children receive a quality education.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 4 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.

Voucher school accountability (Senate Amendment 5 to SB 21)
Summary: Despite promises to increase voucher school accountability before further expanding the program and increasing the risk of fraud and abuse, no action was taken in the Joint Finance Committee to strengthen standards. In an effort to strengthen student and taxpayer protections, Democrats introduced this amendment to eliminate the expansion of private voucher school subsidies, increase education standards and strengthen public accountability.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 5 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


University of Wisconsin System funding (Senate Amendment 6 to SB 21)
Summary: This amendment would restore the $250 million cut to UW System schools, 2-year campuses and Extension programs.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 6 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


BadgerCare expansion (Senate Amendment 12 to SB 21)
Summary: This amendment would expand access to affordable health care and lower state taxpayer costs by accepting available federal funds to strengthen BadgerCare. The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau concluded that Wisconsin would save $360 million in the 2015-17 budget if federal health care funds were accepted.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 12 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


Preserve long-term care, IRIS and Family Care (Senate Amendment 13 to SB 21)
Summary: The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee made a number of sweeping changes to Wisconsin’s long-term care programs which will eliminate the popular IRIS self-directing care program and jeopardize access to critical services. Additionally, new requirements for an individual assessment prior to receiving personal care services will result in a reduction of $19 million in services available to people with disabilities.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 13 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


Special education funding (Senate Amendment 14 to SB 21)
Summary: The end of the 2015-17 budget will mark the eighth consecutive year that special education funding has remained flat. Costs associated with educating students with disabilities have increased over time, resulting in an overall decrease in the average reimbursement rate the state provides to school districts. In 1980, the special education funding rate was 66.1% of total costs. By the end of the 2014-15 school year, the rate fell to just 26.8%. This budget amendment would have increased the reimbursement rate to 33% of schools’ special education cost.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 14 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


Funding for state parks, science and educator positions, recycling grants and Stewardship (Senate Amendment 17 to SB 21)
Summary: This amendment would restore funding to numerous programs that were cut in the budget including state parks, DNR educators and scientist positions, recycling grants and bioenergy research initiatives. Additionally, it would maintain current bonding authority for Stewardship land conservation efforts and provide additional funding for urban forestry grants.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 17 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


Higher Ed, Lower Debt student loan relief (Senate Amendment 20 to SB 21)
Summary: With over 800,000 Wisconsin residents impacted by student loan debt, Democrats have advocated for additional relief from high interest rates and burdensome debt payments. The Higher Ed, Lower Debt amendment would allow individuals to refinance student debt at lower interest rates similar to options currently available for home mortgages and car loans.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 20 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


WEDC accountability and prohibition on outsourcing Wisconsin jobs (Senate Amendment 22 to SB 21)
Summary: After years of troubling audits and revelations of potential criminal violations at Gov. Walker’s flagship jobs agency, government watchdog groups have called for greater accountability and public transparency. This amendment would prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to outsource Wisconsin jobs, require employees at the WEDC to report instances of fraud to law enforcement, and subject agency officials to state laws governing misconduct in public office.
How they voted: Senate Amendment 22 was rejected by the majority party on a 19-14 party line vote.


Final passage of the 2015-17 Wisconsin State Budget (SB 21)
How they voted: Passage of the 2015-17 state budget was approved by the Senate on a 18-15 vote

 

 Summer in Wisconsin!

If you enjoy trout fishing, you are in luck! The Coulee Region is fortunate to have many beautiful spring creeks and rivers that are prime spots for trout fishing. Travel Wisconsin recently highlighted six great trout fishing spots in Wisconsin

I'm happy to see Travel Wisconsin featuring a 32nd Senate District gem, the Kickapoo River!

Wisconsin DNR Updates

Statewide drinking water report shows water supply safe and affordable; reinvestment continues
Wisconsin's drinking water supply remained safe and affordable in 2014 thanks to shared efforts by local water suppliers, the state and professional associations among others, according to an annual report on drinking water by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.             -Read Full Article

State issues air quality notice due to northern Canada wildfires
 Smoke drifting from wildfires in northern Canada has created air quality issues in many parts of the country, including Wisconsin.                               -Read Full Article
 

Invasive faucet snail expands range to northern Wisconsin stream
Invasive faucet snails have been discovered in Elton Creek in Langlade County and stream users are being encouraged to remain vigilant against the invaders. -Read Full Article

Photo contest underway for 2016 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Calendar
People have until August 31, 2015 to enter their favorite photographs from a Wisconsin state park, forest, trail or recreation areas in a contest with winning photos to be included in the 2016 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Calendar. -Read Full Article

Youth conservation skills day set for July 16
A youth conservation skills day will be held Thursday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ho-Chunk Nation Neesh-la Pow wow grounds, S2917 County Road BD Baraboo, Wis., 53913. -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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