Dear Friends,

Today, the State Senate is working on the budget.  You can follow the debate on  WisconsinEye .  This is an outstanding budget and one of the best I've ever worked on.  

This budget has the largest investment in K-12 education ever in real dollars. That means real money going into real classrooms.  It provides $11.6 billion in tax relief!  The average property tax bill this year will be lower than it was in 2010.  I look forward to voting "yes" and sending the bill to Governor Walker.

This week, the State Legislature took an important step for the future of Wisconsin and our economy.  The Foxconn bill is now headed to Governor Walker for final approval.

Foxconn will be a transformational $10 billion investment, bringing next generation manufacturing and 13,000 high-tech, family-supporting careers to our state.   The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce says Foxconn will add $78 billion to our state's GDP over the 15-year term of the package.  There isn't a state in the nation that wouldn't want to be in our shoes right now.  

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

On Wisconsin!

Foxconn Bill Passes Senate
Senator Darling Talks about Foxconn Bill Passing the State Senate
Senator Darling Talks about Foxconn Bill Passing the State Senate

Character Education
Senator Darling, Brown Deer Middle/High School Principal Tosha Womak, South Milwaukee Superintendent Dr. Rita M. Olson, Dick Pieper, River Falls Meyer Middle School Principal  Mark Chapin, and State Senator Chris Larson all testified in favor of encouraging character education in our schools


This week, a very important bipartisan bill I am working on received a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Education.  Schools teach our kids a lot of important things which will directly impact their future success.  However, not enough schools focus on developing the character of our kids.  I hope that will change.

Character education is a learning process that enables students and adults in a school community to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values. Values such as respect, justice, civic virtue, citizenship, and responsibility for self and others are crucial in our society. Most of a young student's life is devoted to time in the classroom. This time in the classroom is a great opportunity to develop and reinforce the core values upon which character is formed.
 
In order to promote character education and encourage schools to put resources into training its faculty, this bill provides funds for DPI to award grants for teachers and school leaders to participate in professional development training in character education. While this funding will not be enough to support full implementation of character education within districts, I feel that this legislation is a positive step in the right direction and will provide a strong incentive for school districts to develop a program within their districts.
 

 Brown Deer Character Education Works
WCEP - 2016 State School of Character - Brown Deer Middle/High School
WCEP - 2016 State School of Character - Brown Deer Middle/High School
Around the 8th...

The Charles E. Kubly Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those affected by depression. The foundation supports mental health projects that help reduce suicide and the stigma around depression.

This weekend the foundation is holding their annual Beyond the Blues fundraiser with fantastic music and delicious food! Please come if you can, it's a terrific event for an important cause.

Saturday, September 16th
6:30pm - 11:00pm
Discovery World - Pier Wisconsin 
500 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI

Music by the Dan Dance Trio and the Kris Crow Band
Fare by Bartolotta Catering
Cash Bar
Complimentary Valet Parking
Blue Jean Casual
Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Senator Alberta Darling | [email protected] | 1-800-863-1113| http://darling.senate.wisconsin.gov
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