Dear Friends,

Congratulations to the Whitefish Bay Gymnastics team.  Last weekend, the Blue Dukes won the team title in Division 2 for the second consecutive season and for the eighth time in their history!  Whitefish Bay was led by Senior Aly Yurkowitz who won the all-around competition for the second consecutive season.  

Our state has more good news on the job front.  Wisconsin's unemployment rate is now at its lowest rate since 2001.  When Governor Walker and Republicans took over the rate was 8.1%.  Now it has dropped to 3.9%.  Our labor force participation rate is also more than five points higher than the US rate!

Don't forget to follow me on our social media sites.  We post regular updates on issues which affect you.  The links are listed below.

As always, if you have any ideas on how to improve our great state, including how to improve the budget, please do not hesitate to contact me at  [email protected] or 608-266-5830.   

On Wisconsin!

Standing Together Against Hate
 
On Tuesday, after another threat to the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Whitefish Bay, I joined Governor Walker and State Representative Jim Ott to denounce this hate crime. 

I have been working with the governor to help provide additional security for the JCC.  It's my hope we will have an announcement soon.   I'm pleased  the Wisconsin Department of Justice is involved in the investigation of these incidents.   

I'm also encouraged that all 100 U.S. Senators signed a letter urging the Trump administration to take action against these hate crimes.  Last week, President Trump denounced these incidents of hate.  Our nation is uniting against these cowards who threaten our communities. 

In America, we don't settle our differences by making bomb threats.  I stand with my friends at the JCC.  I know they will not be intimidated.  

The JCC is an important part of our community.  The center is a  peaceful and loving place for families.  I condemn the Anti-Semitic act of intimidation against the JCC and our community.

I look forward to law enforcement bringing those responsible to justice.


Recovery School Advances
This week, the Assembly Education Committee unanimously approved a bill I authored to create a charter school to help students have a safe place to recover from addiction and learn.

This bill is one of the legislative recommendations that came from the Co-chairs of the Governor's Task Force on Opioid Abuse, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Representative John Nygren. I am proud to co-author Special Session Assembly Bill 6 with Representative Nygren because students and families across Wisconsin need help in their journey towards drug recovery.
 
This recovery high school provides added supports for students who struggle with addiction, such as counseling and therapy services while creating a safe space where they can continue to focus on recovery and work toward a high school diploma. Evidence shows that attending a recovery high school instead of going back to a residential high school immediately following treatment can set a student in recovery up for a substance-free future.

The bill now heads to the full State Assembly for approval.

Paul Ryan Explains Health Care Bill
Paul Ryan Health Care Plan
Paul Ryan Health Care Plan

On Thursday, Speaker Paul Ryan explained the American Health Care Act. The video above is his full news conference.  

Please take a moment to watch this important discussion on the future of repealing and replacing the disaster that is Obamacare.

Around the 8th...

I had the honor of meeting Joe Pencak from Whitefish Bay High School. Joe is a Senate Scholar. When the Senate is on the floor, Scholars staff the session under the direction of the Senate Sergeant at Arms' office.
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I was  honored to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Timothy Han of Boy Scout Troop 865 in Mequon with State Representative Jim Ott!  
Senator Alberta Darling | [email protected] | 1-800-863-1113| http://darling.senate.wisconsin.gov
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