August 20, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope everyone is surviving the dog days of summer and getting ready for the upcoming school year! This week's e-update highlights local economic development news, the weekly radio address, recent news coverage across the state, summer activities and events, Wisconsin DNR updates, 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

UW-L drives local economic development

Local economic development efforts received a major boost last week as the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved the final design and funding for the new University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UW-L) Science Lab project.

The construction of the $82 million Science Lab project is estimated to generate over $157 million in economic activity and create roughly 1,400 jobs. The new Science Lab Building will be located just north of the existing Cowley Hall facility and will provide additional space, improved energy efficiency, and modern accommodations for classroom instruction and research.

"This investment will transform the UW-L campus and create hundreds of quality jobs for hardworking families in western Wisconsin,” said Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “The new Science Lab building will provide students and faculty additional learning and research opportunities while also boosting economic development efforts throughout our region. I hope that we can continue to invest in infrastructure projects across Wisconsin to create jobs, raise family wages and move our state forward.”

"This project will strengthen UW-L's reputation as a world class university and community centerpiece for years to come," added Representative Jill Billings (D-La Crosse). “I am pleased to see this project move forward as we continue to look for ways to create jobs and invest in educational opportunities for Wisconsin students and families.”

UW-L has been recognized as a national leader in education quality and affordability. The Science Lab project is expected to solidify the campus’ role as a leader in science and technology education. The current UW-L Science Building was originally built in 1963 and has become functionally obsolete. Construction of the new Science Lab building is expected to begin in April of 2016 and be completed in 2018.

To learn more about this project, click here.
 

Weekly Democratic radio address: "Park cuts a result of lagging economy"

This past week, Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) offered the weekly radio address. In his radio message, Sen. Miller expressed concerns with the defunding of Wisconsin's state parks and the additional fees Wisconsin families will now be forced to pay as a result of the 2015-17 Republican state budget.

"Our parks should be accessible to all. Eliminating all taxpayer funding for state parks is just another reflection of Wisconsin’s poor economic performance under this governor and his Republican legislative allies." - Sen. Mark Miller

The audio file of this address can be found here: http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen16/millerradio8.13.15.mp3
 

Action in the Coulee Region

Left Photo: Local officials and residents gathered at the Western Technical College Viroqua campus groundbreaking ceremony to kick off phase two of Western's renovations. This new facility will include student computer labs, study areas and new high-tech features that allow each room to be used for a variety of purposes. There are also new distance-learning classrooms so students from surrounding communities can attend and participate in WTC classes via video.

Right Photo: Congratulations to La Crosse County Circuit Judge Gloria Doyle

who was sworn in as the newest Judge in Branch 5.

News Across the State

NBC26: "It's wrong." Democrats propose bill against outsourcing jobs
In an effort to keep jobs in Wisconsin, there is new legislation just being introduced to make companies ineligible to receive grants or loans from a state agency for up to five years if they outsource jobs. - Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Principals decry loss of funding, local control under Scott Walker
In a letter addressed to Gov. Scott Walker and state legislators, 35 principals from southern Wisconsin have decried state budget measures they say underfund education and wrest local control from districts. -Read Full Article

Wausau-Area Officials Skeptical Of Colleges-Tech Schools Merger Idea

Two Wausau-area observers are not impressed with the notion of combining University of Wisconsin's colleges with the state’s 16 technical college districts. - Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Months later, still no final costs for Scott Walker's trips abroad

Three months after Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker traveled to Israel and four months after he visited western Europe, it's still not clear how much the presidential candidate's trips cost and who paid what portion of them. - Read Full Article

Cap Times: Help wanted at maximum security prisons: Low pay, high stress, dangerous conditions
Len Below didn’t plan on retiring this year. But forced overtime and growing safety concerns at Columbia Correctional Institution got to be too much for the veteran guard. - Read Full Article

La Crosse Tribune: Science building expected to generate 1,400 jobs, $157 million economic impact
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will get its new science building. The $82 million project crossed its final regulatory hurdle on Wednesday, receiving approval from the State Building Commission. The group approved a second construction project at UW-L — $1.4 million in renovations for the entrance of the Center for the Arts, to address a failing retaining wall and add an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant elevator in the entrance. - Read Full Article
 

Kickapoo Coffee goes solar

Kickapoo Coffee recently had eighty solar panels installed near the entrance of their building that will provide the facility with on-site renewable energy. They have become one of the first commercial coffee roasters in the United States to be powered entirely by solar energy!

This investment was made possible with help from a mix of federal, state and local funding sources and the project is expected to pay for itself within seven to eight years. If you are interested in Kickapoo Coffee and want to learn more about their new solar panels 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 week's featured business is Driftless Edibles in Prairie du Chien!

Driftless Edibles is a one-stop shop for local and organic natural foods, personal care items, books, and much more. They carry LOADS of bulk products, in addition to refrigerated, frozen, and shelf-stable foods.

Stop by Driftless Edibles the next time you're in downtown Prairie du Chien and check out all of the delicious local food they have to offer.

Wisconsin DNR Updates

September marks opening dates for a number of fall hunting and fishing seasons

A number of hunting and fishing seasons will open in September, and hunters are encouraged to scout early and check out this year's rules and regulations to ensure a safe and successful year in the field. - Read Full Article

August is perfect time to prepare for your fall deer hunt
MADISON - August is the perfect month to finalize preparations for your fall hunt, and a few important dates and reminders will help hunters have a safe and enjoyable season in the field. -Read Full Article

Fall 2015 bobcat, fisher and otter quotas available
MADISON - Harvest quotas for bobcat, fisher and otter in 2015 have been approved, and permits will be issued to successful applicants in early September. -Read Full Article

Badger license plate design now a limited edition
MADISON - Motorists have until Monday, Aug. 17, to order a specialty badger license plate before it is retired to make way for a new eagle design unveiled last week by the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation. -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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