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
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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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February 6, 2014 |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors - This newsletter will highlight higher education, local businesses that were awarded Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants, and the 2014 Senate Scholars from Onalaska and La Farge. It also contains important tax information for filing taxes online with Wisconsin e-file, as well as tax information for seniors. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these or any other state legislative issues. Sincerely, |
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| Democrats Push for Solutions to Address Growing Student Loan Debt Crisis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legislators were flooded with comments from Wisconsin
students, workers and families who are struggling to deal with
college affordability and the rising cost of student loan debt.
At a public hearing on February 5th on Senate Bill 376, also
known as the Higher Ed, Lower Debt Bill, residents from across
the state shared their personal stories and experts testified
about the negative impact that student loan debt has on the
economy . The Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill was introduced by Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine). The proposal will allow individuals with student loan debt to refinance their loans at lower interest rates similar to options that are currently available for home and auto loan debt. It will also allow student loan borrowers to deduct loan payments from their income taxes – a move that will save individual borrowers up to $531 a year. Additionally, Senate Bill 376 will provide students and parents more information about higher education loan options so that families can make informed financial decisions. I am a co-author of the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill and also serve as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges. Along with other local Democratic legislators, I hosted a legislative listening session on the UW-La Crosse campus in September to discuss higher education funding, financial aid, and the growing student loan debt crisis. Too many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet as a result of the overwhelming student loan debt crisis. While we are fortunate to have many world-class universities and technical colleges, we need to make sure that a quality education remains affordable for students and families in Wisconsin. Studies have shown that the growing student loan debt crisis has a direct impact on the economy. A recent survey by the non-partisan Institute for One Wisconsin found that adults with student loan debt are much less likely to buy a new car or purchase a home – two key driving forces of manufacturing and construction jobs. Additionally, a 2013 study by the non-profit research center Demos estimates that American households with student loan debt will lose an average of $208,000 in wealth over their lifetime. The Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill is an important step toward providing real relief to Wisconsin families and helping to get our economy back on track. By preventing Wall Street banks from charging unreasonable interest rates, we can make higher education more affordable and help families achieve the American Dream. High student loan interest rates along with the increasing cost of college and unmet financial assistance have been blamed for the recent growth in student loan debt. Over 750,000 Wisconsin residents currently carry student loan debt. Each year, 137,000 Wisconsin students and families rely on financial aid to help pay for college. However, due to the recent state budget and a freeze on financial aid, approximately 76,000 financially eligible UW and Technical College students will be denied aid. If you would like more information on the bill, click here. |
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| Local Businesses Awarded Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Viroqua’s
Wisco Pop and Fifth
Season Cooperative were recently awarded Buy Local, Buy
Wisconsin grants from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection (DATCP). Wisco Pop is an all-natural soda business that was started by Austin and Hallie Ashley in Viroqua in 2012. Wisco Pop uses Wisconsin honey to sweeten the sodas and the beverages are now sold in over 40 restaurants. Wisco Pop is located in the Food Enterprise Center in Viroqua. The $15,000 grant will add a product line and expand distribution to help them meet market demand for soda made from Wisconsin-sourced ingredients.  Fifth
Season Cooperative received a $45,000 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin
grant which DATCP noted will help them “create infrastructure to
manufacture, market and distribute value-added frozen food
products.” Fifth Season was created in 2010 from a $40,000 Buy
Local, Buy Wisconsin grant and has worked to bridge the gap
between producer groups, processors, distributors, buyers, and
workers in the region. Fifth Season is also located in the Food
Enterprise Center in Viroqua. According to DATCP, Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin is an economic development program designed to increase the production and sale of local foods. Grant recipients can use the funds to reduce the marketing, distribution, and processing hurdles that impede the expansion of Wisconsin food product sales to local purchasers. Learn more about the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program here. |
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| Onalaska and La Farge HS Students Accepted into Wisconsin Senate Scholar Program | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Wisconsin State Senate Scholar
Program has announced that two high school students from western
Wisconsin, Ashlyn King from La Farge High School and Mike Gu
from Onalaska High School, have been selected to participate in
the 2014 Senate Scholar Program. This highly competitive program
for high school juniors and seniors limits participation to 33
students annually and selects applicants who demonstrate
outstanding academic qualifications. 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 such diverse areas as policy development, constituent relations, and processing legislation by working with senators, legislative staff and University of Wisconsin faculty. Congrats to both of these students for being accepted into this highly competitive program, and thank you to all of the students that applied! If any students are interested in learning more about this program or applying in the future, please contact my office by email at Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov or call 608-266-5490. |
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| Information on Filing State Taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| With the start of the New Year comes tax season. The
Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has officially launched
the start of the individual income tax season and is encouraging
state taxpayers to file your income tax return electronically in
order to get your tax return more quickly. The DOR has its own
free service for taxpayers to file taxes called Wisconsin
E-file. E-file is a secure and
confidential site, and is available 24 hours, seven days a week.
Go to revenue.wi.gov and click on the Wisconsin e-file button to
get started. Wisconsin E-file: • Offers Wisconsin fill-in tax forms that do the math to help prevent errors • Is secure and confidential so your information is protected • Sends a confirmation once your return is electronically submitted and received • Allows you to link e-filing options for your federal income taxes by clicking on ‘web-based filing' • You can have your refund deposited directly into your bank account What You Need to File: • All documents about income you received during the year, including W-2s and 1099s • Legal names and social security numbers of everyone you’ll include on your return • Charitable donations • Your federal income tax return, if filing using form 1 or form 1NPR • Property tax bill or rent certificate, if claiming Homestead Credit • Bank account information for direct deposit or withdrawal If you have any questions or need help filing taxes, you can visit the DOR's website here or call the customer service helpline at 608-266-2486. |
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| Senior Tax Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If you are a senior and need assistance
filing taxes, the AARP Tax-Aide program is available to help
prepare 2013 federal, state and Wisconsin Homestead Tax Credit
income tax returns. La Crosse County: The La Crosse library is offering help at filing taxes for seniors. You can call 608-789-7443 for an appointment, and visit their website for printable tax forms and ways to file online. Crawford County: Tax counselors will be in Prairie du Chien at the Crawford County Administration Building (225 No. Beaumont Road, Room 326B) on Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19, 20 (Thursday), 26 and March 5, 12, 13 (Thursday), 19 and 26 from 10am to 3pm. Counselors will also be at the Gays Mills' Community Commerce Center (16381 State Hwy 131, Suite 1) on Thursday February 13, from 10am to 3pm, Soldiers Grove Community Building/Library (102 Passive Sun Drive) on Thursday, March 6 from 10am to 3pm, the Crawford County Highway Department (21515 State Hwy 27, Seneca) on Thursday, February 27 from 10am to 3pm. In order to secure a appointment, you must call the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Prairie du Chien at 608-326-0235. Monroe County: AARP tax volunteers are available at the Sparta Barney Community Center (1000 E. Montgomery Street, Sparta) on Wednesdays and Fridays through April to prepare tax returns and answer questions for tax payers with middle and low incomes. Don't forget to bring your social security card(s), 2013 income information, property tax statements and taxes from the previous year to your appointment. You can schedule an appointment to meet with a tax volunteer by calling 608-269-8690. |
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| Back to Work | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Things are getting back into a normal routine at
the State Capitol. I've spent the first few weeks of
the new session attending public hearings on AB 226, which would
expand the successful workforce advancement training grant
program, as well as SB 471, a bill that I wrote to update
child neglect statutes to better protect children who are
exposed to dangerous situations at home. I've also enjoyed
having a number of visitors to my office for Agriculture Day and
traveling around the district for a number of activities like
Take Your Legislator to Work Day. |
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| Matt Antoine of Prairie du Chien is headed to the 2014 Sochi Olympics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After earning a bronze at the St. Moritz World Cup in Switzerland in early January, Matt Antoine of
Prairie du Chien is headed to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi,
Russia to represent the U.S. in the skeleton competition. The
men's skeleton competition will air on February 14th and 15th on
NBC. In case you don't have time to catch men's skeleton on TV, the Courier Press Newspaper Facebook Page will have Olympic updates from Mary Antoine. |
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| How Can I Improve the Newsletter? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I wanted to thank those who took the
time to send me feedback on the last newsletter! It is really
nice to hear from constituents about the issues that are most
important to you and ways that I can improve my newsletter to
make it more relevant to you. If you have any more comments and
suggestions about the newsletter, you can send them to
Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov or call my office toll-free at
1-800-385-3385. Thanks! |
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| Calendar of Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| State Legislation Update | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signed into Law: SB-463. Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Professional Employees in Research, Statistics, and Analysis for the 2013-14 fiscal year, covering employees in the professional research, statistics, and analysis collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. ACT 118. SB-464. Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Attorneys Association for the 2013-14 fiscal year, covering employees in the professional legal collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. ACT 119 SB-465. Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Service Employees International Union, for the 2013-14 fiscal year, covering employees in the professional patient care collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. ACT 120 SB-466. Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2013-14 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. ACT 121 SB-467. Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Employees Union, for the 2013-14 fiscal year, covering employees in the professional education collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. ACT 122 SB-224. The state civil service. ACT 123 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. ACT 124. AB-595. Public Service Commission certificates for certain activities; tampering with telecommunications or electric wires; regulation of pay telephone service providers and cable television telecommunications service providers; accident reporting by telecommunications utilities; the definition of transmission facility; availability of public utility rate schedules; and rule-making procedures. ACT 125 AB-450. Grants for crisis intervention team training. ACT 126 AB-452. Child psychiatry consultation program. ACT 127 AB-454. Creation of a primary care and psychiatry shortage grant program, exemption from taxation amounts received from such a grant program. ACT 128 AB-455. Grants to counties to contract for peer-run respite centers. ACT 129 AB-458. Mental health benefits and reimbursement for mental health services under the Medical Assistance Program. ACT 130 AB-459. Individual placement and support program for employment of individuals experiencing mental illness. ACT 131 AB-460. Grants to mental health mobile crisis units. ACT 132 Introduced in the Senate: SB-510. Tribal treatment facility participation in the intoxicated driver program. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-511. The presumption of reasonableness in a criminal or civil case involving self-defense. Referred to Judiciary and Labor Committee. SB-512. Deposits on the sale of certain lead acid batteries. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-513. The information contained in referendum questions to authorize exceeding county levy limits. Referred to Elections and Urban Affairs Committee. SB-514. The registration of antique snowmobiles. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-515. Rule-making procedures and practice standards for certified public accountants. Referred to Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications Committee. SB-516. Local airports and the process for enacting aerial approach ordinances. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-517. Collection of certain utility arrearages by a municipal utility and the provision of municipal service to tenants. Referred to Insurance and Housing Committee. SB-518. A duty of podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, and optometrists to inform patients of treatment options and granting rule-making authority. Referred to Judiciary and Labor Committee. SB-519. School district community programs and services and reducing a school district’s revenue limit. Referred to Education Committee. SB-520. Rule-making procedures and modifying and repealing various rules promulgated by the Department of Financial Institutions. Referred to Financial Institutions and Rural Issues Committee. SB-521. Providing funding for a crime prevention program in the city of Milwaukee and making an appropriation. Referred to Finance Committee. SB-522. Establishing the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the city of Milwaukee. Referred to Economic Development and Local Government Committee. SB-523. Tests administered to newborns for congenital disorders. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB-524. Portable electronics insurance. Referred to Insurance and Housing Committee. SB-540. Authorizing a school board to create a capital improvement trust fund. Referred to Education Committee. SB-541. Opiod treatment programs. Referred to Finance Committee. SB-542. Chiropractor registration to practice acupuncture, fee-splitting with a nonchiropractor acupuncturist. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB-543. Eligibility requirements under the managed forest land program relating to parcel size and production of merchantable timber, management plans for managed forest lands, orders adding and withdrawing managed forest land, renewal of orders designating managed forest land, areas of managed forest lands that are open for public access, allowing managed forest lands to be used for recreational activities, regulation of cutting of timber on managed forest land and on forest croplands, withdrawal taxes and fees imposed on the withdrawal of managed forest land and yield taxes imposed for cutting timber from managed forest lands, the sale or transfer of managed forest land, expiration of orders designating managed forest land, withdrawal of forest croplands that are held in trust for Indian tribes, a study of the managed forest land program, a report on exempt withdrawals from the managed forest land program and the forest cropland program, elimination of references to the woodland tax law. Referred to Finance Committee. SB-544. An addition to the 2013-15 Authorized State Building Program. Referred to Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. SB-545. Licensing structure for electricians and electrical apprentices; reciprocal agreements between this state and other states relating to the regulation of electricians, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and electrical apprentices; exemptions from licensing and supervisory requirements for electricians; inspections of electrical work with certain facilities. Referred to Judiciary and Labor Committee. SB-546. Expanding eligibility for the earned income tax credit; hospital best practices for postpartum patients and newborns; hospital staff privileges and written agreements required for nurse-midwives; coverage of nurse-midwives under the injured patients and families compensation fund; a report on information related to hospital neonatal intensive care units; an electronic application and information system to determine eligibility and register for public assistance programs; directing the Department of Health Services to request a Medical Assistance waiver; evidence-based home visitation program services for persons who are at risk of poor birth outcomes or of abusing or neglecting their children; designating race and ethnicity on birth certificates; a report on fetal and infant mortality and birth outcomes; requiring informed consent for performance on pregnant women of certain elective procedures prior to the full gestational term of a fetus; cultural competency training for certain students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System and the technical college system. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB-554. Requiring a private school participating in a parental choice program to employ certain special education staff and to comply with certain provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Referred to Education Committee. Introduced in the Assembly: AB-674. Placement of a child in a shelter care facility under a voluntary agreement. Referred to Children and Families Committee. AB-675. Evaluation of infants for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and referral of infants who have that condition for services and treatment. Referred to Children and Families Committee. AB-676. Prohibiting the disclosure of a determination that a person has abused or neglected a child for purposes of a caregiver background check when that abuse or neglect has not been substantiated. Referred to Children and Families Committee. AB-677. Rule-making procedures; amending various rules promulgated by the Department of Children and Families governing the certification of child care operators, governing the licensing of child welfare agencies, and establishing standards for the operation of child care centers; and eliminating rules promulgated by the Department of Children and Families related to retaining public assistance case records and the transitional jobs demonstration project. Referred to Children and Families Committee. AB-678. The regulation of mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage bankers. Referred to Financial Institutions Committee. AJR-82. Memorial – Nelson R. Mandela. Referred to Rules Committee. AB-679. High capacity well approvals. Referred to Environment and Forestry Committee. AB-680. Adaptive management plans for reducing discharges of phosphorus and total suspended solids into the waters of the state and statewide variance to the water quality standard for phosphorus for certain dischargers. Referred to Environment and Forestry Committee. AB-681. Creating a civil cause of action for victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Referred to Criminal Justice Committee. AB-682. Creating a Special Needs Scholarship Program for disabled pupils. Referred to Education Committee. AB-683. Licensing structure for electricians and electrical apprentices; reciprocal agreements between this state and other states relating to the regulation of electricians, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and electrical apprentices; exemptions from licensing and supervisory requirements for electricians; inspections of electrical work with certain facilities. Referred to Labor Committee. AB-684. Various changes in the unemployment insurance law. Referred to Labor Committee. AB-685. Restricting information available on the consolidated court automated Internet site. Referred to Corrections Committee. AB-686. A state minimum wage, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. Referred to Labor Committee. AB-687. Payment of wages by electronic fund transfer to a payroll card account. Referred to Labor Committee. AB-688. Eligibility for a broker’s or salesperson’s license or a time-share salesperson’s certificate of registration following a criminal conviction, immunity for employing real estate brokers in certain actions. Referred to Housing and Real Estate Committee. AB-689. Transferring responsibility over biennial updating of voter registration list to the Government Accountability Board. Referred to Campaigns and Elections Committee. AB-690. Reporting registration and voting statistics. Referred to Campaigns and Elections Committee. If you would like to read the bill texts or 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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