Happy Thanksgiving!
May you and your family have a blessed and bountiful Thanksgiving!
Rothman Needs to Reform UW-System
An editorial I wrote about the need for UW-System President Jay Rothman to reform Wisconsin’s public university system was published statewide this week. Click the image above to read it in the Appleton Post Crescent.
Capitol Christmas Ornaments
2023 Capitol Christmas ornaments are available for sale at the State Capitol Rotunda Information Desk for $20. The 2023 ornaments feature the 40th anniversary of the Concerts on the Square. The information desk also has the 2022 and 2012 ornaments available for $20 and $15 respectively.
Financial Aid Bill Heads to Governor
A bill I authored with State Senator Joan Ballweg to modernize Wisconsin’s financial aid system has passed both houses of the Legislature and is now headed to the Governor for his signature.
After the the full Legislature passed the bill, Senate Bill 380, the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Wisconsin Technical College System, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Wisconsin issued the following statement.
Higher Education Leaders Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 380
After the final passage of Senate Bill 380, Financial Aid Modernization, Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators President Mandy Slowinski, Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna Foy, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Eric Fulcomer, and Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman provided the following joint statement:
“On behalf of students pursuing post-secondary education, the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the Wisconsin Technical College System, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Universities of Wisconsin sincerely thank the legislature for passing Senate Bill 380, the Financial Aid Modernization Act.
This legislation is needed to align Wisconsin statutes with changes made by the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act, a bipartisan measure that made several changes to the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill makes needed updates to eligibility calculations in state statutes, aligns Wisconsin law with Federal Pell Grant eligibility and amends the Wisconsin Grant programs to be more student focused and student friendly.
These changes will help Wisconsin students navigate federal and state financial aid processes and better recognize the changing nature of today’s students and their diverse higher education pathways.
We thank our legislative champions, State Senator Joan Ballweg and State Representative Dave Murphy, for their work on this legislation to support students in accessing and pursuing a degree, enabling them to contribute to Wisconsin’s future workforce and economic prosperity for many years to come.”
Wisconsin Cheese Brings Home the Cheddar
Wisconsin cheese artisans brought home 25 percent of all awards presented at the recent World Cheese Awards in Trondheim, Norway, with Marieke Gouda of Thorp, Wisconsin earning the most awards of any United States competitor.
Organized by the Guild of Fine Food, the World Cheese Awards is a global event that brings together cheesemakers, retailers, buyers and food commentators worldwide to judge over 4,000 cheeses from over 40 countries. Now in its 35th edition, 2023 saw a record number of cheeses entered – 4,502, from 43 countries – which were judged by an international panel of 264 judges from 38 nations.
“More than 180 years ago, our ancestors chose Wisconsin because the terroir reminded them of the homes they’d left behind in Northern Europe, allowing for the tradition of expert farming and cheesemaking to grow and flourish. Wisconsin continues to call to national and international artisans alike, and we are so very proud of the rich, flavorful award-winning cheeses that are produced here,” the Chief Marketing Officer of Wisconsin Cheese and Senior Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin said in a press release.
Other winning Wisconsin Cheese producers include The Artisan Cheese Exchange, Sartori Company, Schuman Cheese, Carr Valley Cheese Co., Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, and Hoard’s Dairyman Farm Creamery.
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Be sure to shop local and support small businesses!
Upcoming Events
Thanksgiving
November 23Small Business Saturday
Area Local Downtowns
November 25
A Very Neenah Christmas
Downtown Neenah
December 1Electric City Christmas Parade
Downtown Kaukana
December 5
Merry Christmas!
December 25
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.
