Colleges & Universities Committee Hearings
I chair the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, which held two hearings over the past week. The first hearing was an Executive Session that passed two bills that address online course fees (AB 545), and tuition and fee remission for veterans in the UW system (AB 659). These bills will go on the Assembly Rules Committee for a possible vote by the full Assembly.
The second hearing we held was a Public Hearing on two bills that address Charter Schools (AB 818), and a bill that gives more access to non tenured faculty to be able to serve in leadership roles within the University (AB 757). The next step for each bill is to have an executive session that advances them to the full Assembly soon.
January 22nd Session Recap
Last week in the Assembly, we took strong steps to protect Wisconsin from foreign adversaries who threaten our security, economy, and research.
I supported Assembly Bill 662, which prohibits the state and any state agency from entering into contracts with companies headquartered in countries designated as foreign adversaries. These nations have repeatedly tried to exploit our supply chains and technology systems to steal sensitive information. This bill ensures taxpayer dollars never support our adversaries and helps safeguard our businesses, small towns, and communities from foreign interference.
We also passed Assembly Bill 663, which bars UW System institutions from forming academic or research partnerships with colleges and universities in those same adversarial countries. Our universities conduct cutting-edge, taxpayer-funded research, and we cannot allow foreign adversaries to steal that work and hand it over to their militaries—putting American citizens and our troops at risk.
These are straightforward, common-sense measures to keep Wisconsin safe and secure. I’m proud to have voted for both bills and will keep fighting to protect our state from outside threats.
Madison Meeting
[see featured photo above] Recently Jason Hillery on behalf of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association stopped by my office to discuss their agenda for 2026. Jason works for Midwest Communications which owns several radio stations in the Fox Valley. It was great to catch up with him again this year!
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
