CONTACT ME
MAIL:
Room 20 South
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
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(608) 266-5490
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(800) 385-3385
EMAIL:
Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov
WEBSITE:
legis.wi.gov/senate/shilling
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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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October 17, 2013 |
Dear Friends and Neighbors - This newsletter will highlight my workforce development bill, the Wisconsin School of Recognition Awards, and the Hmong New Year Festival grant, among other things. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these or any other state legislative issues. Sincerely, |
| Bi-Partisan Workforce Development Bill Advances in Senate |
| On October 11th, a bi-partisan job creation
proposal that I authored was passed unanimously out of the
State Senate Committee on Economic Development and Local Government.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development,
over 4,100 individuals with disabilities are currently on
waiting lists for job training and employment assistance
services through the state’s vocational rehabilitation program.
Senate Bill 274 will leverage additional funding in order to
eliminate these waiting lists and increase workplace
opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the state. Unemployment and underemployment of people with disabilities is a serious issue in Wisconsin. Every community in our state is affected by this issue. Senate Bill 274 is a smart investment in a proven workforce development program that will increase access for people with disabilities seeking job training and employment assistance services. The state's vocational rehabilitation program provides employment assistance services to people with disabilities by creating individualized plans for employment. Services provided include job search and placement assistance, transportation, on-the-job support, vocational training, interpreter services, career guidance and counseling. Individuals who receive services through the vocational rehabilitation program are able to successfully transition to steady employment and become more productive members of their communities, more self-sufficient, and less reliant on other state assistance programs. Beth Swedeen, the Executive Director of the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, testified in support of Senate Bill 274 during a public hearing on the proposal. According to Swedeen, “Improving integrated community job opportunities enables people with disabilities to contribute to local economies, more fully participate in their local communities, help permanently get out of poverty, and reduce overall reliance on public benefits.” The Department of Workforce Development estimates that 3,250 individuals returned to the workforce in 2012 as a result of vocational rehabilitation services. These individuals are expected to earn approximately $56.4 million annually which translates into a 210% return on investment for the DVR program. Everyone has skills and talents that they can offer and utilize in a workplace setting. Helping individuals with special needs to identify their unique abilities and maximize their potential is not only the right thing to do, but it’s the smart thing to do. Senate Bill 274 was included in a package of workforce development bills announced by the Governor last month. The bill was approved by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee on October 15th, and now will be scheduled for a vote in the State Senate and State Assembly. |
| Local Districts Honored with Wisconsin School of Recognition Awards |
| I joined State Superintendent Tony Evers in congratulating
several local schools who were honored at an award ceremony in
the State Capitol by the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction as 2013-14 Wisconsin School of Recognition award
recipients. Our local schools provide an outstanding educational foundation for our children and are a driving force behind our region’s economic success. Western Wisconsin is fortunate to have such dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff that consistently demonstrate their commitment to providing students with a quality education. I am proud of the accomplishments and progress that our local schools have made to educate children despite significant economic and financial challenges. I want to congratulate all of our students, teachers and staff for their hard work and wish them many more years of educational success. This year, 167 schools were named 2013-14 Wisconsin School of Recognition award recipients. Several schools in western and southwestern Wisconsin were among the recipients, including: Kickapoo Elementary School, Kickapoo Area School District Northside Elementary School, La Crosse School District La Farge Elementary School, La Farge School District La Farge Middle School, La Farge School District North Crawford Elementary School, North Crawford School District Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School, Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District Bluff View Elementary School, Prairie du Chien Area School District Bluff View Middle School, Prairie du Chien Area School District Bluff View Junior High School, Prairie du Chien Area School District Seneca Elementary School, Seneca School District Seneca Junior High School, Seneca School District Wauzeka High School, Wauzeka-Steuben School District For additional information and a complete list of award recipients, please click here. |
| La Crosse Hmong New Year Festival Receives Tourism Marketing Grant |
I was happy to join the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and
the La Crosse Visitors and Convention Bureau
in presenting a Tourism Joint Effort Market (JEM) grant to the Hmong Mutual Assistance
Association for their annual Hmong New Year Celebration! The La Crosse Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (HMAA) received a $12,250 JEM grant to promote the Hmong New Year Festival, which celebrates Hmong culture brought to the United States from the mountains of Laos. The annual festival in La Crosse occurred October 12-13th and is a time to reflect, rejoice and appreciate the company of friends and family while also enjoying traditional Hmong food and entertainment. |
| Scenes of the 32nd Photo Contest Reminder |
| The Fall Colors Photo Contest is still going on and will
continue until November 8th! I have received some great photo
submissions so far and can't wait to see what else is submitted! Photo entries can be submitted via email to Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov along with the photographer’s name, address, phone number, and a brief description of when and where the photograph was taken. As photos are received, they will be shared in a special “Fall Colors Photo Contest” album on the Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) 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 featured on Senator Shilling’s official Senate website, her Facebook page, and displayed in her Capitol office. The deadline for submitting photos is Friday, November 8, 2013 at 5:00pm. The voting window will close on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 5:00pm and the winner will be announced on Friday November 15, 2013. Guidelines: Please limit your submissions to no more than three photographs per person. Only photographs that were taken in the 32nd Senate District (La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, and the southern half of Monroe County) will be allowed. Photographs of a political or offensive nature will not be accepted. Individuals may vote for as many photographs as they would like in the Facebook album. |
| DMV Customers |
| The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Division of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) would like to send out a friendly reminder
that the only official DMV site is
www.wisconsindmv.gov.
If you do a web search for the Wisconsin DMV, the official site
is not always first to appear, and other sites can charge extra
fees for forms and services that would be free with the
Wisconsin DMV. The unofficial sites also aren't usually as
up-to-date with their information, which can waste your time and
money. To make sure you are using verified sites for government
agencies, make sure .gov is in the web address. Private sites
made for profit cannot contain .gov in their web addresses.
|
| Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) |
| With temperatures getting colder everyday as we get further
into fall, heating bills are rising. WHEAP provides assistance for heating,
electric, furnace, and energy crisis costs to low income
households, and assists about 225,000 homes in Wisconsin
annually. For more information on WHEAP and how to apply for the program, call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947), or visit the "Where to Apply" tab on the website to find your local energy assistance agency. |
| 2013 Gold Seal Award |
The 32nd Senate District's very own Wyalusing State Park was
named Best Place to Hold a Family Reunion at the 2013 Gold Seal
Award contest. The Friend of Wisconsin State Parks sponsored the
annual award in a way to highlight Wisconsin's parks, trails,
and forests. Photo of Spook Hill Mounds in Wyalusing State Park taken by the Wyalusing State Park Mounds Archeological District. |
| Enrollment in the New Health Insurance Marketplace Began October 1st |
| Don’t forget – as of October 1st, you can now sign up for
coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace (or
Exchange). In order to begin coverage in the Marketplace on
January 1, 2014, you must sign up for coverage between October
1st and December 15th of this year. For more information about the Marketplace or to sign up for coverage, you can visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Four things to remember about the new Health Insurance Marketplace and the new federal health care laws: 1. All insurance plans will have to cover doctor visits, hospitalizations, maternity care, emergency room visits, and prescriptions. 2. If you have a pre-existing condition, insurance plans cannot deny you coverage. 3. You might be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. 4. All insurance plans will have to show the costs and what is covered in simple language with no fine print. |
| State Legislation Update |
| Introduced in the Senate: SJR-52. Proclaims October as Polish-American heritage Month. Referred to Senate Organization Committee. SJR-53. Memorial – Paul Poberezny. Referred to Senate Organization Committee. SB-330. Purchase of military service under the Wisconsin Retirement System. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-331. Career and technical education incentive grants. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-332. Participation in certain training by unemployment insurance claimants. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-333. A Transitional Jobs program. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-334. Technical excellence higher education scholarships. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-335. A tuition reimbursement program for apprentices and employers. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-336. Local youth apprenticeship grants. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-337. Examination requirements for various professional credentials and power of the Board of Nursing. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-338. Expanding the authority of towns to create tax incremental financing districts. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SJR-56. Proclaims the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Referred to Senate Organization Committee. SB-339. The price of a Class A raffle ticket. Referred to Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue Committee. SB-340. Raffles that involve the racing of plastic or rubber ducks. Referred to Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue Committee. SB-341. The maximum width of, and projecting loads on, vehicles carrying poles, pipes, girders, and similar materials. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-342. The Sharing of tax increments. Referred to Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining and Revenue Committee. SB-343. Snowmobile registration, trail use sticker requirements, and funding for supplemental snowmobile trail aids. Referred to Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism Committee. SB-344. Disclosing ownership of a dam to prospective buyers of certain real property and updating disclosure reports for certain real property. Referred to Insurance and Housing Committee. SB-345. The authority and responsibilities of the Department of Safety and Professional Services and the various boards under that department, the membership of the Cosmetology Examining Boards, professional licensure of pharmacists, the Pharmacy Examining Boards’ operation of the prescription drug monitoring program, authorizing the construction, installation, alteration, operation, and inspection of elevators and other similar conveyances, and licensing requirements for elevator mechanics, inspectors, and contractors. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB-346. Vapor recovery system removal grants. Referred to Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism Committee. SB-347. Resolution process for a dispute between a first class city and the representative of police officers employed by the first class city. Referred to Judiciary and Labor Committee. SB-348. The sales and use tax exemption for aircraft parts, maintenance, and labor. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. Introduced in the Assembly: AB-402. Local youth apprenticeship grants. Referred to Workforce Development Committee. AB-403. A tuition reimbursement program for apprentices and employers. Referred to Workforce Development Committee. AB-404. Examination requirements for various professional credentials and powers of the Board of Nursing. Referred to Government Operations and State Licensing Committee. AB-405. Relinquishing custody of a newborn child. Referred to Family Law Committee. AB-406. Controlled substances. Referred to Criminal Justice Committee. AB-407. Snowmobile registration, trail use sticker requirements, and funding for supplemental snowmobile trail aids. Referred to Tourism Committee. AB-408. A dental hygienist’s administration of nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia and practice of oral hygiene. Referred to Health Committee. AB-409. Investigation of deaths involving a law enforcement officer. Referred to Judiciary Committee. AB-410. Nonconforming uses and manufactured home communities. Referred to Housing and Real Estate Committee. AB-411. Limitation of a property owner’s liability when lands are used for noncommercial aviation. Referred to Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee. AB-412. Exemption of outside salespersons from the minimum wage law. Referred to Labor Committee. AB-413. Income and franchise tax credits for insulating concrete forms used to construct a building. Referred to Ways and Means Committee. AB-414. Purchase of military service under the Wisconsin Retirement System. Referred to Veterans Committee. AB-415. Changing the method by which a municipality may collect the costs of razing a building from a property owner. Referred to Urban and Local Affairs Committee. AB-416. The sharing of tax increments. Referred to State and Local Finance Committee. AJR-57. Memorial – Paul Poberenzy. Referred to Rules Committee. AJR-58. Declares October 2013 Co-op Month. Referred to Rules Committee. AJR-59. Disability Awareness Month. Referred to Rules Committee. AJR-60. Proclaims November 2013 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Referred to Rules Committee. AJR-61. Requires the legislature to enact laws requiring reasonable notice of and public access to meetings of governmental bodies, including legislative committees, and making members of the legislature subject to citations and civil penalties for violations of such laws. (First consideration). Referred to Judiciary Committee. AJR-62. Public notice for Assembly, Senate, and joint committee meetings. Referred to Assembly Organization Committee. AJR-63. Honors Caron Butler on his return to his home state of Wisconsin to play for the Milwaukee Bucks. Referred to Rules Committee. AR-17. Public notice for meeting of Assembly meetings. Referred to Assembly Organization Committee. AR-18. Commending the Honor Flight Network and its volunteers. Referred to Rules Committee. AR-19. Creating a committee on state affairs and government operations and eliminating certain other committees. Referred to Rules Committee. AB-417. Authorizes the city of Milwaukee to sell eligible school facilities to eligible purchasers. Referred to Government Operations and State Licensing Committee. AJR-64. Proclaims the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Referred to Rules Committee. AB-418. Fees for election recounts. Referred to Campaigns and Elections Committee. AB-419. Counting votes for write-in candidates. Referred to Campaigns and Elections Committee. AB-420. Providing a printed name for signers of nomination papers and petitions. Referred to Campaigns and Elections Committee. If you would like to track the status of these bills online, please feel free to visit the state legislative website at www.legis.state.wi.us and enter the proposal number in the column on the left. |
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