CONTACT ME
MAIL:
Room 20 South
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
TELEPHONE:
Office Phone
(608) 266-5490
Toll Free
(800) 385-3385
EMAIL:
Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov
WEBSITE:
legis.wi.gov/senate/shilling
SOCIAL MEDIA
Things move quickly here in the Capitol and you can always check my Facebook or Twitter to see what is happening.
"Like" Jennifer Shilling on Facebook:
Or Follow on Twitter!
SENATE COMMITTEES:
Joint Legislative Council
Joint Committee on Finance
Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications
Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges
Special Committee on Reporting of Child Abuses and Child Neglect
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July 24, 2013 |
Dear Friends and Neighbors - This week's e-update will highlight some of the happenings around the district, as well as a new photo contest. You'll also notice a new and ongoing section that will highlight State Legislation and where to stay updated on these proposals. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these or any other state legislative issues. Sincerely, |
| Scenes of the 32nd Photo Contest: Summer Fun! |
| I am launching a summer fun photography contest! I invite
you to share your favorite photographs capturing local summer
events or scenic regional landscapes in the
32nd Senate District. Photo entries can be submitted via email to Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov along with your name, address, phone number, and a brief description of when and where the picture was taken. As photos are received, they will be shared in a special “Summer Fun” photo album on my Jennifer Shilling Facebook page. Each “like” that a photograph receives will count as one vote. At the end of the contest, the photograph with the most “likes” will be my official Senate website and Facebook cover photo, and the photograph will be printed for display in my Capitol office. The deadline for submitting photos is Friday, August 2 at 5:00pm. The voting window will close on Thursday, August 8 at 5:00pm and the winner will be announced on Friday, August 9, 2013. For more information please visit the Photography Contest Announcement on my Facebook. |
| GOP diverts millions from children's health care, Buy Local program, and economic development to fund tax cuts for wealthy |
| Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee
voted along party lines on July 18th and approved Gov. Walker's plan to
divert $51 million in funding for several important state
programs including medical assistance for low-income children,
economic development, tourism promotion, and the state's Buy
Local, Buy Wisconsin program. I believe that we need to do more to help the working families, small business owners, and local communities who continue to struggle with Wisconsin’s slow economic recovery. Just weeks after approving a state budget that gives hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks to the state’s wealthiest residents, Republicans have now approved a plan to cut funding for everything from health care coverage for low-income children to maintenance of state-owned veterans homes. I disagree with these misplaced priorities. We should be working to improve access to health care for all Wisconsin residents and investing in proven job creation programs like Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin that will support small businesses and grow our economy. Additionally, Republicans approved new changes to Wisconsin's Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Response System which will result in an average 15% funding cut to teams in high-risk areas including Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, Superior and Wausau. These cuts will impact emergency response capabilities across the state in the event of chemical, biological, explosive, or radioactive hazards. Additionally, businesses may be forced to purchase additional HazMat equipment and increase staff training at a significant cost if the current level of coverage is not maintained. Communities in our state depend on a reliable hazardous materials response network. Gov. Walker’s changes will reduce the ability of our regional HazMat response teams to provide prompt, professional, and high-quality emergency response services to local residents and businesses. Our focus should be on protecting high-risk areas, increasing worker safety, and keeping all of our communities safe from disasters. Unfortunately these cuts will decrease overall safety and add additional costs to small businesses. |
| State Legislation Update |
| Signed into law: AB-20. The notice and degree requirements for the examination to practice as a certified public accountant. ACT 21 AB-58. Bank service corporations and credit union service organizations. ACT 22 AB-77. Reports by the Dwelling Code Council on the one- and two-family dwelling code. ACT 23 AB-81. Contracting with residential contractors. ACT 24 AB-106. Municipal utility customer information. ACT 25 AB-109. Fees for dental services. ACT 26 AB-112. Telecommunications systems installed on tower sites under the management and control of the DNR and the suspension of a rule of the DNR. ACT 27 AB-214. Ex parte communications in contested cases before the Public Service Commission. ACT 28 SB-11. DOT’s initial costs of production for special registration plates supporting the Lions Clubs of Wisconsin and supporting motorcycle safety. ACT 29 SB-41. Designates and marks a specific highway route in the counties of Rock, Dane, Jefferson, Dodge, and Fond du Las as the Rock River Trail Scenic and Historic Route. ACT 30 SB-62. Proof of motor vehicle liability insurance. ACT 31 SB-85. Increases the allowable number of project plan amendments, and lengthens the time funding which tax increments may be allocated and expenditures for project costs may be made, for Tax Incremental District Number 3 in the city of Wausau. ACT 32 SB-116. Remittance transfers under the Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A, relating to transfers. ACT 33 SB-135. Annual or consecutive month permits for vehicles or combinations of vehicles transporting loads near the Wisconsin-Michigan border. ACT 34 SB-162. Operation of certain existing sport shooting ranges. ACT 35 SB-206. Requirements to perform abortions, requiring an ultrasound before informed consent for an abortion. ACT 37 SB-207. Incorporations including territory of two towns. ACT 38 SB-145. Penalties for certain traffic offenses committed while sanitation workers are at risk from traffic. ACT 39. SB-151. The home ownership mortgage loan program administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. ACT 40. Signed
into law with a partial veto: |
| FEMA Update |
On July 16th, I joined state and local emergency management
staff along with federal FEMA officials on a tour of
the flood damage from the severe storms in June. I'll continue
to work with these agencies to ensure that clean up and recovery
efforts in our region remain on track.
|
| Waterfowl Hunting Seasons |
| On Monday August 5th in La Crosse, the DNR is hosting a
public hearing for those with a stake in waterfowl hunting to
provide input on the upcoming seasons and to hear the latest
information on waterfowl management and population status. DNR
officials will use the public input to inform the proposed
waterfowl hunting season that will be recommended to the Natural
Resources Board later that month. In addition to public input, DNR officials would like to address potential annual changes in season timing and daily bag limits, as well as propose increases to the number of lakes available for open water duck and Horicon Canada goose for the upcoming seasons. Meeting Information: |
| Focus on Energy - Wisconsin's statewide efficiency and renewable energy program |
| Looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency this
summer? Interested in saving on your business’s utility bills?
Join the thousands of Wisconsin residents and businesses that
have saved over $730 million in energy and environmental
benefits over the last decade, by making simple changes in
lifestyle and operations. Established in 2001, Focus on Energy
provides support for energy efficiency and renewable energy
projects that help residents, businesses, farms, local
governments, non-profits, and schools manage rising energy
costs. Their efforts help control Wisconsin’s growing demand for
electricity and natural gas, protect the environment, and
promote in-state economic development. Focus on Energy’s Residential Programs can help you to: - Recycle your old fridge or freezer - Replace your old water heater, furnace and air conditioner - Improve your home’s insulation - Build an energy efficient home - Receive in-store discounts on clothes washers and CFLs To learn more, visit their website or call 1-800-762-7077. |
| Activities in Our Region |
| It is County Fair season in Wisconsin! There are a number of fairs in our region and around the state for you to
enjoy before the summer ends. Monroe County Fair July 24-28th Tomah, WI The Monroe County Fair will have carnival rides, classic fair food, live music, and a wide variety of live entertainment like donkey races, motorcross, a rodeo, livestock auction, bean bag tournament, and lawnmower pulling. Admission: $3 for 13 & Up, $2 for 6-12, Free for 5 & Under Crawford County Fair August 7-11th Crawford County Fairground, 17725 State Road 131, Gays Mills, WI The Crawford County Fair will feature a Taste of Crawford County on Thursday, with local foods, wine tasting, and live music. Other activities for the rest of the weekend include animal shows, flower shows, fitness classes, a 5K walk/run, animal auction, live music, and a tractor pull. Admission: $10 for a Thursday Pass, $5 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Daily Passes, and $50 Carnival Mega Pass for all four days For a full list of County Fairs in Wisconsin, click here. Kickapoo Country Fair July 27th, 12-10:30pm 1 Organic Way, LaFarge, WI The Kickapoo Country Fair will feature a variety of activities from workshops on beekeeping to a petting zoo, live music, and local, organic food. Admission: Free! 16th Annual Prairie Dog Blues Festival July 26-27 St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien, WI This year's festival will feature music from Altered Five, Annie Mack, Bryan Lee, Cash Box Kings, and many others, as well as a variety of food vendors. Admission: $30 for one-day pass, $50 for two-day pass, Children 12 & Under are Free |
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