Mining for Jobs Bill Signed by Governor

On Monday, March 11, Governor Walker signed into law the Mining for Jobs Bill.  I was honored to be at the signing ceremony in Milwaukee.  This law streamlines the process for a mine while maintaining strict environmental standards.  It will bring much needed jobs to Wisconsin, including employers in the southeastern corner of the state.

Lake Country Christian Academy Visits Capitol

Last Friday my office hosted a fourth grade class from Lake Country Christian Academy. They spent the day touring the Capitol and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to learn more about our state history and government. As a special surprise, I reciprocated by going to visit the fourth grader's class in Nashotah on Monday.

Budget Highlights

Last E-Update, I gave you the specifics of the state budget process. Today, I want to provide you with some specifics of the budget proposals that Governor Walker unveiled during his Budget Address. Below you will find information regarding the budget relating to Transportation, Education, School Choice, Venture Capital, and Veterans Affairs. You can find further information on each topic by clicking on the links connected to each budget initiative title.

Transportation Budget:
• $6.4 billion for the biennium includes money to keep the Hoan Bridge and Zoo Interchange projects on schedule.
• $10.7 million for the Harbor Assistance Program
• $2.7 million to fill vacant positions in the State Patrol, and decrease regulations and streamline services in the Department of Transportation.
• $800,000 in disaster damage aids

Education Budget:
• $475.6 million investment of new state funds into public education
• $129.2 million in K-12 school equalization aids
• $88.5 million for the Wisconsin Technical College System Performance Funding
• $64 million in 2014-15 school year for K-12 school performance incentive program
• $20 million for UW Incentive Grant Program
• $13.9 million for data systems including the Statewide Student Information System
• $13.5 million to implement Educator Effectiveness System
• $12 million for tuition grants to honor Wisconsin Covenant commitment
• $11.5 million for the SMARTER balanced assessments as the state replaces the WKCE
• $1.5 million for WISELearn Portal program
• $1 million to expand Teach for America in Milwaukee
• Establishes the UW Block Grant which will provide increased flexibility
• Indexes College Tuition Tax Deduction to inflation to protect value of the deduction

Expansion of School Choice:
• Wisconsin Parental Choice Program expands to school districts with at least 2 underperforming schools (Schools with Accountability Rates from 0-62.9), at least 4,000 students and at least 20 students intending to participate
• Expansion of choice capped at 500 students for fiscal year 2014 and 1,000 students for fiscal year 2015
• Creates a Charter School Oversight Board
• Expands part-time open enrollment program to allow students to take up to two courses of a pool of education providers
• Creates a Special Needs Scholarship
• Eliminates grade and residency restrictions on home schooled students to take courses in a school district
• Increases per pupil payments for charter and choice students by 1% in each year of the biennium

Venture Capital Investment:
• $25 million for investment capital initiatives

Veterans Initiatives:
• Extends the Veterans and Surviving Spouse Property Tax Credit by $8.5 million to unmarried spouses whose husband/wife died of a service-connected disability
• $5.3 million GPR to Veterans Trust Fund
• Improves Wisconsin GI Bill for spouses and dependent children to use the benefit by eliminating time limit and expanding program to veterans with at least 5 years of residency
• Adds 110 new full-time direct care staff at veteran’s homes
• Purchases new equipment and hire more staff for veterans in state nursing homes
• Exempts state veteran homes from nursing home bed tax
• Makes funds for Military Funeral honors sum sufficient
• Extends low-cost or free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans
• Makes Disabled Veteran Employment Tax Credit permanent
• Increases funding to Camp American Legion
• Increases funding to state veteran service organizations
• Invests $500,000 in veteran owned business start-ups

The Legislature will be working on improving the Governor's budget over the next few months.  Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or concerns as we move forward.
 

District Listening Sessions Scheduled

In order to make myself available to you, I will be holding Listening Sessions throughout the 33rd Senate District. I have invited Representatives Kapenga & Kramer, as well as Representative-elect Neylon to attend the Listening Sessions in their respective Assembly Districts.

Please see the below dates, times, and locations for Listening Sessions in your community:
 

I look forward to seeing you and your neighbors at our Listening Sessions.
 

Please feel free to contact my office with any thoughts or questions you may have. It is a pleasure serving you in the State Senate.