Dear Friends,

Wisconsin finds itself at the top of another important list.  According to the website HackerRank, our state has the best software developers in the Midwest, and we rank number five in the nation!  Wisconsin's reputation for outstanding software developers will help us attract even more tech companies in the future.

As you probably know, tech giant Foxconn plans to invest $10 billion in our state and create as many as 13,000 jobs.  They plan to make LCD screens here, but they make many products for the tech industry worldwide.  Here's a look at what Foxconn does and why they are such an important addition to our economy. 

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!

What's Going On?
Foxconn and the Budget
Senator Darling Talks Foxconn and the Budget
Senator Darling Talks Foxconn and the Budget
Wisconsin State Fair Opens!

On Thursday, the Wisconsin State Fair opened its gates for the 166th time!  Despite a rainy opening day, the showers didn't dampen the fun for fair-goers.  

For the very first time, the fair is welcoming "The WonderWheel" to its grounds.  This ride is the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America.  

In case you're afraid of heights, check out the other great events the fair has to offer here.  From cream puffs to concerts, everyone is sure to find something that will keep them coming back to the fair next year.  

The fair runs until Sunday, August 13.  Stop by with your family and see what the buzz is all about!


A member of my staff shows Clydesdales at the State Fair every year.  Congratulations to Crabapple Hollow's Hawkeye on a great second place finish!  Good luck to the rest of the Ag exhibitors this week as they celebrate Wisconsin's proud agriculture heritage.
Recovery School Takes a Big Step
This week, the University of Wisconsin's Office of Educational Opportunity issued a request for proposals for a recovery school for students dealing with addiction issues.

This is huge step in our fight against opioid addiction.  Creating a recovery high school was a part of the special session on the H.O.P.E. Agenda to combat opioid abuse.  I appreciate that UW's Office of Educational Opportunity acted so quickly to begin the process of authorizing a recovery school.
 
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for young people to earn a diploma while they recover is a key component of the HOPE Agenda.  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.

Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) Report

This week the Department of Transportation released its August 2017 Report to the Transportation Projects Commission on the status of Major Highway Projects and the Southeast Wisconsin Freeway Megaprojects. The report shows the status and timeline of the current projects that are enumerated in Wisconsin's highway programs. 

This is the first report since the Legislative Audit Bureau's audit on the Department of Transportation. The new TPC report includes many of the recommendations the Legislative Audit Bureau provided and highlights the recent savings seen by the Department of Transportation.

Highlights include:
* For the first time in recent memory, cost of Major highway projects are estimated to go down in a TPC report
* The Majors highway program specified in the Governor's budget for the 2017-19 biennium is estimated to cost $49 million less than projected
* Construction costs for fiscal year 2017 are expected to be approximately 5.3% lower than last year
 
It is encouraging to see the Department of Transportation continue to look for cost saving measures, and it is important we make sure your hard earned tax dollars are spent on the roads with the highest priority.

Click here for the entire TPC Report.

Around the 8th...  
Travel Wisconsin Highlights Erin Hills
Travel Wisconsin Highlights Erin Hills

The U.S. Open is over, but Erin Hills remains one of the most impressive golf courses in the nation.  This week, Travel Wisconsin highlighted what makes Erin Hills so special.
Senator Alberta Darling | [email protected] | 1-800-863-1113| http://darling.senate.wisconsin.gov
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