e-Update Returns in November
This e-Update will be the last one I send to you for a while. State law prohibits elected officials running for re-election from sending out more than 50 pieces of identical material between June 1st and this November’s election.
I’m proud to serve you as your State Representative. Next Session a new legislative map will be in place and the 56th Assembly District will have new constituents. I have included a map of the new district at the bottom of the newsletter. If you have any questions about your new district please feel free to call my office at (608) 237-9156 or email me at [email protected].
I hope you have a great summer, and I hope to see you when I’m out and about in the district!
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Free Fishing Weekend
This weekend, June 1st and 2nd, is Free Fishing Weekend! Click here to learn more.
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Appreciating Our Correctional Officers
Correctional Officers are important members of our state’s public safety teams. They oversee incarcerated people and keep our communities safe. During this session’s state budget, we funded substantial pay increases for correctional officers in our state prisons.
Staff vacancies have been a significant problem in our prisons throughout the state. That means correctional officers have been overworked and overstressed to fill in the gaps. That’s why we provided $344 million in the budget to increase wages for security staff. That bumped starting wages from $20.29 per hour to $33 per hour. It also funded wage add-ons for medium security, maximum security and prisons with high CO vacancy rates. Those working in high-vacancy facilities – prisons with 40% or higher vacancy rates – will see a $5 per hour add-on, while maximum security facilities and medium security facilities will see $3 per hour and $2 per hour add-ons, respectively.
This is good news for our correctional officers. Even better, this is working to reduce vacancies. In mid-2023, the average vacancy rate was around 35%. By February of this year, it was down to around 25%.  At the same time, the Department of Corrections is graduating a record number of officers from its training program—including graduating over 200 new COs in February. While there are still significant challenges facing our prisons, staff numbers are trending in the right direction, which means safer prisons and safer communities.
Correctional officers, however, aren’t just in our state prisons. They staff jails in every county in Wisconsin.  This session, I was proud to support COs in county facilities by voting for legislation to ensure county jailers have access to the same benefits, such as early retirement, as other members of our law enforcement community through protective status.
Correctional officers are an integral part of keeping us safe and ensuring those who commit crimes are held accountable. Â Â I am proud of all we accomplished for COs in our state this session and am grateful for their service to our communities.
Fox Cities Destination Guide
Get the most out of your summer with the free Fox Cities Destination Guide.  From stories of local legends to itinerary inspiration and things to do, the Fox Cities Destination guide is a one-stop-shop for planning summer fun.  Click here to view the digital guide or to request a free physical copy.
Free Wisconsin Travel Guides
Summer is almost here! Plan your Wisconsin summer adventures using TravelWisconsin’s free guides. Click on the picture above for downloadable versions, or you can order a free guide to be mailed to you.
For an interactive map of State Assembly districts click here.
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.
