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September 3, 2015 |
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The school year has officially started and I hope everyone had a successful first day back to school! This week's e-update highlights my back to school column, the weekly radio address, recent news coverage across the state, the sale of public land, 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,
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La Crosse Area School District |
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I was honored to be included among the dozens of community leaders who supported our School District of La Crosse employees today as they kick off the start of the new school year. Our message was simple, we are your community and your community supports you.
The School District of La Crosse Back to
School Program ended with a rousing send off from the Central
High School Band. Thank you! |
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Sen. Shilling Column: Food for Thought |
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With the ringing of school bells and the
roar of high school football games, students across Wisconsin
are heading back to class. But in many classrooms, the start of
school is also marked by the rumbling of empty stomachs. Amid all of the headlines about state budget cuts and teacher shortages, many schools are struggling to deal with the challenge of student hunger. It is a crisis that has worsened dramatically over the past several years as participation rates for free and reduced school meals have skyrocketed. Over 350,000 Wisconsin children, more than 43 percent of all students, now qualify for free and reduced meals.  Schools and communities across Wisconsin are doing their best to address this issue despite declining state support. Many parents, teachers and local businesses have stepped up to organize their own school meal programs, stock student food pantries and supply backpacks with meals for children struggling with hunger at home. The community efforts being undertaken to combat student hunger are commendable, but they are a sign of the larger economic and financial challenges facing our state. Combined with Wisconsin’s shrinking middle class and the decline in family wages, state budget cuts to school funding are having a noticeable impact. One proposal to help address the crisis of student hunger was recently introduced by Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Milton) and Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville). Commonly referred to as the “Food for Thought Act,” Assembly Bill 234 seeks to increase school breakfast program enrollment and provide more children with access to a quality meal. Given the well-established correlation between hunger and low academic achievement, the “Food for Thought Act” is helping to spark a much-needed discussion about this important topic. It’s clear that we need to take a close look at how student funding cuts and increasing poverty rates are affecting classroom learning. Instead of taking more resources away from Wisconsin children, we must work together to invest in local schools, reduce student hunger and improve student achievement. For too long, Republicans have prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of funding for our schools and communities. In recent months, Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions have overshadowed the real challenges facing families and distracted from our ability to find solutions to this growing crisis. It is high time we focus on the important issues affecting Wisconsin families and local schools. Together, we can work to end childhood hunger in Wisconsin and provide all hardworking students the opportunity to succeed. |
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Weekly Democratic radio address: "Taxpayer Protection Act" |
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Action in the Coulee Region |
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Left Photo: The Opportunity Center
in Prairie du Chien celebrated 50 years of employment services
for people with disabilities. I was pleased to present a
Legislative Citation with Representative Nerison and attend the
ribbon cutting for the two new state of the art hydroponic
greenhouses. Congratulations and thank you for your employment
opportunities at the center and in the community!
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News Across the State |
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Selling trout ponds is a bad idea The state Department of Natural Resources is under orders from the Legislature to sell 10,000 acres of state-owned land. There's nothing wrong with selling off some state land that may have no significance, but DNR officials need to be very careful about the parcels they select. -Read Full Article
La Crosse Tribune: Cross visits La Crosse to talk future of state universities
The people of La Crosse spoke and the
University of Wisconsin listened — in the person of its
president. Ray Cross was in La Crosse on Tuesday to host two
listening sessions on the future of the system. UW-L hosted the
sessions, one on health care and wellness, and a second session
focused on the future of the system in general. -Read
Full Article Wisconsin State Journal: State to spend $258m on school vouchers next school year The state will spend $258 million in the 2016-17 school year on private school vouchers, a new estimate shows. At the same time, the amount of state aid sent to public schools will be reduced by $83 million to offset the voucher spending, for a net cost to the state of $175 million, according to an analysis drafted by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau in response to a request from Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, who opposes vouchers. -Read Full Article
Associated Press: Wisconsin private school voucher spending outpaces public Spending on Wisconsin's private school voucher program increased about seven times as fast as aid to public schools since Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans took control of the Statehouse, based on new figures released Tuesday. -Read Full Article
La Crosse Tribune: Districts work harder attract limited pool of quality applicants Today is the first day of school for many districts in the area — including La Crosse, Holmen and Onalaska — and area administrators say they have found it difficult to recruit deep pools of qualified teachers. -Read Full Article
WBAY: Teacher shortage in Wisconsin Kids are back in classes for many school districts in our area starting Tuesday but their teachers may not be. Many local school districts are still trying to fill positions. -Read Full Article
The Cap Times: Wisconsin public schools lost 2,900 teachers over nine-year period Wisconsin public schools saw a decrease of nearly 3,000 teachers in a period of nine years ending in the 2012-2013 school year, according to a report released Tuesday. Over a similar time period, an increase in enrollment led to higher student-teacher ratios. -Read Full Article
WKOW: Eaton Corp. sending 83 more WI jobs to Mexico despite WEDC tax credits For the third time in just over two years, a global power management company is outsourcing Wisconsin jobs to Mexico, despite receiving nearly $370,000 in tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). -Read Full Article
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Republicans look to sell natural land and trout ponds |
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Republicans are moving forward with their plan to force the sale of thousands of acres of pristine natural land including rare trout ponds. Many fear that this valuable land could be bought up by out-of-state bottling companies and affect local fish habitats and access to clean drinking water. Trout Unlimited has called the GOP plan "absolutely outrageous" and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says it's a "bad idea."
You can read the full reaction from Trout Unlimited regarding this proposal here. |
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Local Business of the Week! |
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River City Ready Mix is a locally owned and operated business that has been serving the concrete needs of the Coulee Region since 1988. They have plants located in La Crosse, Tomah, Westby, and Trempeleau and work on projects that range from residential sidewalks, driveways, patios, and agriculture complexes. You may have seen their trucks supporting area schools and youth organizations! Check out River City Ready Mix for your next home or business project!
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Wisconsin Department of Tourism State Park Guides Available! |
If you family enjoys nature and hiking, check out Travel Wisconsin's Visitor Activity Guide to Wisconsin State Parks. Explore Wisconsin's 95 state parks, forests and trails with this handy glove box-sized guide that includes a locator map, narrative descriptions, and contact phone numbers. The guide also provides general information, fee, reservations and park features. You can reply to this email or call my office at 608-266-5490 to request a copy of this State Park Guide. Travel Wisconsin recently highlighted Weekday Getaways to Wisconsin State Parks and it is exciting to see Wildcat Mountain State Park in Ontario included on this list. It certainly is a breathtaking drive when the fall colors are in full swing. |
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Wisconsin DNR Updates |
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2015 Wisconsin
Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast now available
Sept. 12 marks
opening of archery and crossbow deer hunting seasons
Sturgeon hook
and line season set to open; changes take effect on Menominee
River
Monroe man wins
award for his stewardship of State Natural Areas
Grants
available to help municipalities with maintaining or removing
dams
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Recently Introduced Legislation |
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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!
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Calendar of Events |
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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. |
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phone: 608.266.5490 email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov
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emails, please reply to this email |
