Colleges and Universities Committee Hearing
On Wednesday I chaired two hearings of the Colleges and Universities Committee which held an executive session and a public hearing on three bills. In the picture above, seated to my right is the Committee Clerk Alan Ott and to my left is our Legislative Counsel Staff Emily Hicks. During the executive session we passed two bills, Assembly Bill 501 and Assembly Bill 505, which would make important improvements to Wisconsin universities and technical colleges. AB 501 ensures that our campuses are spaces that foster open dialogue and academic freedom. During the public hearing we heard from students about free speech violations on campus and the challenges they have faced with expressing their ideas openly. This bill addresses this important issue and I am proud of the committee for standing up for free speech. The committee also passed AB 505, a veterinary loan repayment grant program to support veterinarians working in rural areas in Wisconsin. This grant program addresses the critical veterinarian workforce shortage facing rural counties and is widely supported by many agricultural organizations.
The committee also held a public hearing on several bills. The first bill was Assembly Bill 750 which would require Wisconsin Technical Colleges to adapt a policy that reserves program spaces for protective services programs such as law enforcement, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or firefighting. The bill ensures that our technical colleges have the capacity to train students for these crucial public safety positions. The committee also heard public testimony on Assembly Bill 663 which would protect national security by restricting universities’ collaboration with certain foreign adversaries. Two national security experts testified on some of the tactics that hostile nations such as China have employed to infiltrate our universities and gain access to sensitive information. You can watch the entire hearing here. Coverage of AB 663 starts around 2hrs 28 minutes.
Capitol Christmas Tree
Last Thursday the Capitol Christmas Tree was officially lit to mark the start of the Christmas season here at the capitol. Unfortunately, Governor Evers refuses to acknowledge the true reason for the Christmas season by refusing to call it a Christmas Tree and only referring to it as a “holiday tree”. This 30 foot tall Christmas Tree lights up the capitol during this cheerful season and it’s great to see all the ornaments handmade by students from across the state.
New Holiday Light Display
This holiday season the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are introducing a new holiday light show and Christmas activities at Neuroscience Group Field. This festive way to celebrate the Christmas season is open until January 3rd and offers fun events all around the ballpark for families to enjoy!
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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.
