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Madison, WI 53707

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Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov

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SENATE COMMITTEES:

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Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications

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November 26, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors -

This newsletter highlights the Senate Scholar Program, a new staff member, and the photo contest winners. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these or any other state legislative issues.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Shilling
State Senate, District 32
 
Senate Scholar Program Accepting Applications
The Wisconsin State Senate Scholar Program is now accepting applications from high school students ages 16 to 18. The Senate Scholar Program is a week-long educational program offered by the Wisconsin State Senate that provides high school students with a hands-on, up-close view of the Legislature’s role in our democracy. Senate Scholars gain experience in many diverse areas such as policy development, constituent relations, and processing legislation by working with senators, legislative staff and University of Wisconsin faculty.

In recent years, several Coulee Region students have had the opportunity to participate in this exciting program. I am encouraging local students, schools, and teachers to learn more about this valuable program.

Students in classrooms across our state will go on to be the leaders of our future. Encouraging young adults to learn more about our government and get involved at an early age has always been a goal of mine. This program is a great way for students to see how our government functions and gain valuable hands-on experience.

Information about this program and the application process can be found online at www.senatescholar.com or by calling (608) 266-2610. All applications for the 2014 Senate Scholar program are due by January 3, 2014. Students can apply at any time and have their application considered for future programs if they aren’t immediately accepted. While this is a highly competitive program, each Senate district is allotted a minimum number of participants.
 
New Staff Member!
Kate Constalie, a Westby native and recent UW-La Crosse graduate, has been hired as the director of constituent relations and community outreach for my Capitol office.

I have always been impressed with Kate's work ethic and responsiveness. Kate's experience and her understanding of local issues have been very helpful as I continue to assist residents, communities and businesses in our region.

Constalie had previously served as a legislative intern in Sen. Shilling's office and as a part-time limited term employee prior to her recent hire.

In her new position, Kate will assist Sen. Shilling in responding to individuals who have questions about state programs, legislative proposals, or other government issues.

"Helping to give back to our community has always been a goal of mine," said Constalie. "This new opportunity will allow me to serve our region and stay connected to my local roots."

So far this year, Sen. Shilling's office has received nearly 10,000 contacts from individuals who have shared comments on legislation or sought assistance with state programs.

Kate is the daughter of Bob and Ingrid Constalie of Westby.
 
Fall Colors Photo Contest Winners
Two photographers were tied for the best picture in the Fall Colors photo contest..

Photos submitted by La Crosse residents William Petersen and Nina Shephard were tied at the close of voting on November 14th. William Petersen's photograph "Foggy View from Grandad" was taken from Grandad Bluff while Nina Shephard's photograph "Bike Trail near Myrick Park" was taken near the UW-La Crosse campus.

Both winning photos will be featured in my legislative office as well as my official legislative website and Facebook cover page. To view all of the submitted photos on my Facebook page, click here.
 
Energy-Saving Tips for Winter Months
Winter in Wisconsin can be expensive because of holiday lights and decorations, and increased gas and electric usage due to the low temperatures. Here are some tips for saving money and energy this winter.

Lighting
Improve the lighting in your home and save energy.
•Replace traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last between six and 12 times longer. Remember to turn off any lights that aren’t in use.
•Consider using LED lights for Christmas decorations. These use 90 percent less energy than the standard Christmas lights.

Thermostats and heating
Keep your home warm and comfortable.
•Install a programmable thermostat for your home’s heating system.
•Keep the doors and windows closed while the heat is on.
•Frequently change the filters in your furnace.
•Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

General tips
Be energy efficient throughout your home.
•Only use the exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathrooms when necessary.
•Repair any water leaks in the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, etc.
•Use power strips to plug in portable heaters, television and cell phone chargers. That way, you can turn off the power switch when the devices are not in use.
•If you’re thinking of replacing your appliances, make sure they have an Energy Star logo. Energy Star products are more energy efficient.

Programs for low-income families
During the winter, the government helps low-income families with their energy bills.The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, helps families pay some of their heating costs. To see if you qualify for these benefits, contact your local LIHEAP office for more information.
 
No-Call List
Just a reminder that the last day to register for the upcoming quarter of the No-Call List is on Saturday November 30th.

The list is updated four times per calendar year (January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1). The registration process is continuous, but those who sign up after the upcoming November 30 deadline will not be added to the list until April 1.

To sign up for the No-Call List, vist the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection here. Or call the DATCP toll-free at 1-866-966-2255.
 
Calendar of Events

Date

Event

Location
Nov. 28 La Crosse Community Thanksgiving Dinner La Crosse
Nov. 28 Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner Onalaska
Nov. 29 Rotary Holiday Lights Begin La Crosse
Nov. 29 Viroqua Partners Annual Twinkle Fest Viroqua
Nov. 30 Lights over North La Crosse La Crosse
Dec. 7-8 Norskedalen's 29th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Coon Valley
Dec. 7 Jingle Bell Walk Run and Rudolph's Dash for Kids La Crosse
State Legislation Update
Introduced in the Senate:
SB-406. Changing the names, Wisconsin higher education grants, and tuition grants, to Wisconsin grants. Referred to Universities and Technical Colleges Committee.
SB-407. Exempting certain one- and two-family dwellings from the requirement of having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and from standards and rules relating to plumbing. Referred to Insurance and Housing Committee.
SB-408. School district bonds, promissory notes, and state trust fund loans. Referred to Education Committee.
SB-409. Individual placement and support program for employment of individuals experiencing mental illness. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.
SB-410. Mental health benefits and reimbursement for mental health services under the Medical Assistance program. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

Introduced in the Assembly:
AB-508. Permitting a funeral establishment to be located in a cemetery, prohibiting discrimination against a funeral establishment that has no relationship with a cemetery, prohibiting discrimination against a cemetery that has no relationship with a funeral establishment, and eliminating a property tax exemption for cemetery authority property. Referred to Consumer Protection Committee.
AB-509. An exemption for recipients of the purple heart medal from the cumulative preference system for issuing wild turkey hunting licenses and tags. Referred to Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee.
AB-510. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s officers, committees, and reporting obligations. Referred to Jobs, Economy and Mining Committee.
AB-511. Use of special identification cards for persons with physical disabilities. Referred to Health Committee.
AB-512. Expanding the requirement of county board approval of a town amendment of its zoning ordinances. Referred to Urban and Local Affairs Committee.
AB-513. Dry cask storage of spent fuel from nuclear power plants. Referred to Energy and Utilities Committee.
AB-514. Requiring legislation for agencies to take an action to, request federal moneys to, and use state moneys to assist the federal government to create or implement a health benefit exchange. Referred to Health Committee.
AB-515. Rule-making procedures and repealing various rules promulgated by the Department of Workforce Development. Referred to Workforce Development Committee.
AB-516. Rule-making procedures and modifying certain rules promulgated by the Department of Workforce Development for the administration of the laws governing traveling sales crews. Referred to Workforce Development Committee.
AB-517. The appointment and term of service of the secretary or natural resources and vacancies on the Natural Resources Board. Referred to State Affairs and Government Operations Committee.
AB-518. Awards for the victims of crimes. Referred to Criminal Justice Committee.
AB-519. Resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislation, health benefits for wrongfully imprisoned persons. Referred to State Affairs and Government Operations Committee.
AB-520. Removing certain information contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs Internet site. Referred to Judiciary Committee.
AB-521. Grants for hiring new employees. Referred to Jobs, Economy and Mining Committee..
AB-522. Requiring a city, village, town, or county to share with overlying taxation jurisdictions certain payments for potential services received from a tax-exempt entity. Referred to State and Local Finance Committee.
AB-523. Interest rates on judgments in small claims actions. Referred to Judiciary Committee.
AB-524. Expunging a record of a conviction or adjudication of delinquency if the offender was a victim of human trafficking. Referred to Judiciary Committee.
AB-525. Creating a property tax exemption for a nonprofit youth baseball association. To Ways and Means. Referred to Tax Exemptions Committee.
AB-526. Reasonable accommodation of any condition of an employee that is related to pregnancy or childbirth and of an employee’s inability to adequately undertake the job-related responsibilities of a particular job because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition. Referred to Labor Committee.
AB-527. The operation of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles on highways for the purpose of certain types of access. Referred to Transportation Committee.
AJR-74. General Vang Pao and Mrs General Vang Pao. Referred to Rules Committee.
AJR-75. Glen E. Pmmerening Jr. Referred to Rules Committee.
AJR-76. Funding in bills placing requirements on local governmental units. (first consideration). Referred to State and Local Finance Committee.
AJR-77. Appointment of treasurer in Milwaukee County. (first consideration). Referred to State Affairs and Government Operations Committee.
AB-528. Special distinguishing plates displaying the words Support Planned Parenthood. Referred to Transportation Committee.
AB-529. Employment discrimination on the basis of family status. Referred to Labor Committee.
AB-530. Reporting deaths; death investigations and other duties of coroners and medical examiners; disposition of bodies; creating a medicolegal investigation examining board; licensure of coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal investigation staff members. Referred to State Affairs and Government Operations Committee.
AB-531. Creation of a wage council to study and make recommendations concerning increases in the living wage. Referred to Labor Committee.
AB-532. Changing the names, Wisconsin higher education grants, and tuition grants, to Wisconsin grants. Referred to Colleges and Universities Committee.
AB-533. School district bonds, promissory notes, and state trust fund loans. Referred to Education Committee.
AB-534. The procedure for deciding certain claims against the state filed with the claims board. Referred to State Affairs and Government Operations Committee.
AB-535. Prohibiting municipalities from providing alcohol beverages retailers with identification scanners. Referred to Urban and Local Affairs Committee.
AB-536. Prohibition on tracking the location of a cellular telephone by law enforcement without a warrant. Referred to Judiciary 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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