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Madison Needs Alternative Budgeting
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Representative Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and I have introduced a bill to help provide legislators with better information and transparency in the state budgeting process. Senate Bill 407 requires each state agency to submit to the Legislature, in addition to their current biennial budget request, a proposal to show how they would hold spending at the same level as last period and how they would reduce agency spending by five percent if needed.
Agencies have been growing at unacceptable rates here in Wisconsin. This legislation will help us to better understand where spending can be reduced so that we can continue to improve our stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It will force the government bureaucracy to evaluate and prioritize spending so we can begin to eliminate bad programs and strengthen good ones.
This is part of a larger budget revision plan that will get our state to budget in a financially responsible way. State legislators need to obtain the necessary information in order to determine the top priorities of each agency. In turn, this prioritization will help make our budgeting process more transparent and accountable.
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Town Hall Meeting Next Week
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Please join me for one of my town hall meetings in December or January. During these meetings, I will be available to answer questions and hear from you about important issues at the state and local levels.
As always, if you are unable to attend these office hours, and you have any comments or questions, please email me at Sen.Kapenga@legis.wi.gov or give me a call at (608) 266-9174.
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See Something, Say Something
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Governor Walker joined Major General Don Dunbar, law enforcement representatives, and representatives from the Wisconsin Homeland Security Council on Wednesday to remind Wisconsin citizens to be vigilant this holiday season and report any suspicious activity.
In 2012, the governor launched the "See Something, Say Something" campaign in Wisconsin. The national "If You See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This simple and effective program raises public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime and emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
If someone sees something suspicious, they should contact their local law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1. Information can also be submitted through Wisconsin's "See Something, Say Something" campaign called WiWatch. Tips can be submitted electronically and anonymously at www.wiwatch.org or by calling a law enforcement agent at 1-877-WI-WATCH (1-877-949-2824).
To learn more about the program, click here.
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Apply Now for the Senate Scholar Program
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The Senate Scholar Program is open to Wisconsin high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18. The program is also open to qualified individuals who are home-schooled. Each Senate Scholar must have outstanding academic qualifications and experiences that demonstrate an ability to perform tasks with a high degree of responsibility. Applicants may also be subject to additional requirements imposed by their high school.
A digital copy of the application, more information, and additional application materials may be downloaded from here. All application materials must be received by January 3, 2016. Applicants will be notified of their admission status by January 15, 2016, or shortly thereafter. Please mail all application materials to:
Dr. Tammy Wehrle
Legislative Education and Outreach Officer
Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882
If you have any questions concerning the program or the application process, please contact Dr. Tammy Wehrle, Legislative Education and Outreach Officer, or Ted Blazel, Senate Sergeant at Arms, at (608) 266-1801 or email SenateScholar@legis.wi.gov.
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1674 - Jacques Marquette and two French traders build a hut at what is now Chicago.
1783 - The Revolutionary War concluded, General George Washington bids his officers farewell at Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
1816 - James Monroe of Virginia is elected the fifth U.S. president.
1833 - The American Anti-Slavery Society is organized in Philadelphia.
1996 - General Motors begins the first mass production of a U.S. electric car, the EV1.
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