Building on accomplishments made this legislative session, last week was full of action on several important issues to our state including education, the environment and agriculture.
I was pleased to attend the signings of three bills I supported related to education reform policy. First, as you may know, Governor Doyle signed the virtual school bill that I authored with Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine. By working in a bipartisan fashion, we were able to strike a compromise that updates our education laws that became outdated by modern technology, and ensures virtual schools remain a high-quality, innovative, taxpayer-friendly option for students throughout Wisconsin this coming fall.
Second, the governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 906, which will modify the way special education hours are recorded and the way salaries for certain positions are computed. The legislation, which I authored at the request of school districts and the Department of Public Instruction, will implement a more efficient way for local school districts to compute certain teachers' salaries.
Third, legislation I cosponsored important to the agriculture industry, Assembly Bill 83, was signed into law by Governor Doyle. The bill establishes an Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council in Wisconsin. This council of government officials, educators and business representatives will advise state agencies on measures to create and retain jobs related to agriculture, food and natural resources and develop programs to best prepare Wisconsin workers for employment in these important industries.
In addition, during the state budget process, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, and I were successful in securing a $4 million grant to provide an incentive for the creation of Wisconsin's first soybean crush facility. On April 8, Governor Doyle presented the $4 million grant to Landmark Cooperative in Evansville. The grant, which is matched with private funding, will provide a great local economic boost for our area. Wisconsin is the only top 13 soybean producing state that does not have a crushing plant. The new crush plant will create 40 jobs, enhance the soybean market for Wisconsin farmers, reduce transportation costs, and provide the oil needed for renewable fuels like biodiesel.
Finally, progress was made last week on protecting Wisconsin's environment. Governor Doyle, the Legislature, and the Department of Natural Resources reached a bipartisan agreement to protect Great Lakes water for future generations. The deal will move the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact forward in Wisconsin, which is a key provision necessary to protect Wisconsin's water needs from faraway states like Georgia and Arizona. The state legislature is expected to pass the legislation in the coming weeks. The compact still needs approval from all eight great lakes states and Congress before it goes into effect.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
I was pleased to attend the signings of three bills I supported related to education reform policy. First, as you may know, Governor Doyle signed the virtual school bill that I authored with Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine. By working in a bipartisan fashion, we were able to strike a compromise that updates our education laws that became outdated by modern technology, and ensures virtual schools remain a high-quality, innovative, taxpayer-friendly option for students throughout Wisconsin this coming fall.
Second, the governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 906, which will modify the way special education hours are recorded and the way salaries for certain positions are computed. The legislation, which I authored at the request of school districts and the Department of Public Instruction, will implement a more efficient way for local school districts to compute certain teachers' salaries.
Third, legislation I cosponsored important to the agriculture industry, Assembly Bill 83, was signed into law by Governor Doyle. The bill establishes an Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council in Wisconsin. This council of government officials, educators and business representatives will advise state agencies on measures to create and retain jobs related to agriculture, food and natural resources and develop programs to best prepare Wisconsin workers for employment in these important industries.
In addition, during the state budget process, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, and I were successful in securing a $4 million grant to provide an incentive for the creation of Wisconsin's first soybean crush facility. On April 8, Governor Doyle presented the $4 million grant to Landmark Cooperative in Evansville. The grant, which is matched with private funding, will provide a great local economic boost for our area. Wisconsin is the only top 13 soybean producing state that does not have a crushing plant. The new crush plant will create 40 jobs, enhance the soybean market for Wisconsin farmers, reduce transportation costs, and provide the oil needed for renewable fuels like biodiesel.
Finally, progress was made last week on protecting Wisconsin's environment. Governor Doyle, the Legislature, and the Department of Natural Resources reached a bipartisan agreement to protect Great Lakes water for future generations. The deal will move the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact forward in Wisconsin, which is a key provision necessary to protect Wisconsin's water needs from faraway states like Georgia and Arizona. The state legislature is expected to pass the legislation in the coming weeks. The compact still needs approval from all eight great lakes states and Congress before it goes into effect.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
