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Thursday, June 12, 2014 |
Dear Friends and Neighbors - I hope everyone has the opportunity to
spend time with friends and family this upcoming weekend to
celebrate Father's Day! Sincerely,
Happy Father's Day to my
husband Chris!
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| Sen. Shilling Column: Wisconsin does better when we all do better |
| On a recent visit to a small business
in rural Vernon County a woman pulled me aside to share her
thoughts on the economy. She said, “Jennifer, things are getting
better, but too many people around here are still struggling. We
still have a long way to go.” That’s a message I hear often as I visit with folks throughout western Wisconsin. While there are reasons to be optimistic, wages have been stagnant and our job creation rate is well below the national average. We still have a long way to go, but together we can do better. Wisconsin’s strength has always been its people. We work hard. We love our families. And we support our neighbors. In communities throughout Wisconsin, the economy revolves around more than just the industrial park. It also depends on the local library, the neighborhood school and the community health clinic. Without adequate public support for these important community assets, Wisconsin’s economy will not reach its full potential. Unfortunately, over the past three years we have seen an erosion of state support for the public institutions that make our communities strong. Our world-class public education system provides opportunities for every Wisconsin child to learn the skills and knowledge to compete in the modern economy. From our early childhood programs and K-12 public schools to our technical colleges and University of Wisconsin campuses – we have a responsibility to invest in our future workers at all educational levels. As a parent of two young children, I recognize that my boys won’t just be competing for jobs with workers in Minnesota or Illinois. We live in a global economy and we need to make the necessary investments in our public education system to ensure our workers can compete today, tomorrow and 20 years down the road. Investing in Wisconsin workers should be central to our job creation efforts. Wisconsin’s economy thrives because of the people who go to work every day making things, building things, keeping our loved ones healthy, teaching our children, and protecting our communities. Wisconsin’s workers are the backbone of the economy and their work should be fairly rewarded with family-supporting wages, decent benefits and the guarantee of a secure retirement. We won’t reach our full economic potential until all Wisconsin workers are paid a fair living wage, because nobody working full time should have to raise a family in poverty. A strong economy also requires public investment in a modern, well-maintained infrastructure. Broadband access for rural communities. A transportation system that can effectively and efficiently move goods and people. A 21st century clean and sustainable energy network. These public investments create jobs and enable our private businesses to prosper. With my two young boys I am often reminded of the saying that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ In the same way, it takes all of us working together and making investments in each other to create an economy that truly benefits everyone. Putting Wisconsin back on track requires a commitment to invest in our communities and our public institutions once again.
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| June Dairy Month |
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This past weekend I attended two dairy breakfasts in western Wisconsin. The Vernon County Dairy Breakfast was hosted at the Steve and Gina Nickelotti family farm in rural Genoa and the Crawford County Dairy Breakfast was hosted at the Jim and Jean Moret family farm outside of Prairie du Chien.
I was happy to join FFA students in serving coffee at the Crawford County Dairy Breakfast.
A delicious plate of farm fresh food served at the Vernon County Dairy Breakfast.
Dairy Breakfasts are hosted across the state in recognition of June Dairy Month in Wisconsin. June is a time for us to celebrate the great dairy producers, milk processors, and local farm families that make Wisconsin America’s Dairy State. Throughout the month, you can take advantage of many family-friendly activities including parades, cheese tasting, and dairy breakfasts on the farm!
The crowd at the Vernon County Dairy Breakfast.
These events highlight the importance of our farming heritage and are a great way to learn more about where our food comes from. This month is also a good time to ask ourselves how we can boost our farm producers and strengthen our communities. In the legislature, I’ve been proud to join my Democratic colleagues in promoting successful initiatives like Farm to School and the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program. With the fast-growing local-food movement in our state, strengthening our investments in these programs will help create new markets, grow businesses, and provide families across Wisconsin with healthy, affordable and locally-grown food options.
The Nickelotti family cooking up pancakes.
We are fortunate to live in a state with many hard-working farm producers and world-class food processors, and together, we can expand on our success. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating June Dairy Month by getting out and learning more about our local dairy farmers. To find an event in your area, you can visit Dairy Days of Summer and enjoy all of the great events Wisconsin has to offer.
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| Marriage equality ruling advances freedom for loving couples |
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A recent federal court decision overturning Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriages has added our state to the growing list across the nation that recognize the rights of same-sex couples and protect the freedom to marry. While Attorney General JB Van Hollen continues to defend the unconstitutional ban, the federal ruling has removed a significant hurdle for same-sex couples seeking to exercise their fundamental right to marry the person they love.
I welcomed this recent court decision because our communities are strengthened when committed couples and loving families share equal rights under the law. This decision puts Wisconsin on the right side of history and moves us closer to ensuring that all loving couples are viewed equally under the law.
Since the same-sex marriage ban was enacted in 2006, the Marquette University poll has tracked a significant shift in public opinion with 59% of voters now saying they would vote to repeal the amendment.
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| Shilling appointed to serve on Technical College Study Committee |
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The arrival of summer also marks the
start of the Legislative Council Study Committee session. Study
committees are established to delve into complex issues
identified by the Legislature and are made up of Legislators and
citizens who are interested in or knowledgeable about the study
topic.
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| It's the last day of school and first day of summer! |
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Thank you to everyone who played a part in educating Nate and Zach in 3rd grade and 4-K. From the bus drivers, librarians, teachers and administrators to the building engineers, support staff, school board members and parents. You are all part of an important team and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall! |
| Calendar of Events |
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phone: 608.266.5490 email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov
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