Dear Friends, Wisconsin's unemployment rate just hit an all-time low of 2.8% in April! The number of unemployed people in our state is also at its lowest ever. According to the Department of Workforce Development, we added 17,000 private-sector jobs and 15,100 total non-farm jobs from April 2018 to April 2019. This also brings our record streak of unemployment at 3% or lower to 15 straight months! Wisconsin is getting even more great news this week. Thanks to our reforms and careful budgeting, the state will see $753 million in additional revenue. Even better, $150 million is expected to be on-going funding. That's great news and even more proof that we don't have to raise taxes to balance our finances. You can read more about it below. Finally, I want to congratulate the Homestead High School Boys Golf Team! The Highlanders won the 2019 North Shore Conference Championship this week. The team was undefeated in conference and earned four of the five spots on the first team all-conference team. Good luck at State! As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wi.gov . On, Wisconsin!

Higher Returns Than Expected

Contrary to the negativity coming from Democrats, Wisconsin is on solid economic ground. New data released by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau shows the state can expect nearly $150 million in ongoing revenue available for the next biennium. That's on top of the $1.8 billion previously estimated. This is even more proof that there is no need to raise taxes on the people of Wisconsin. This re-estimate proves our reforms are working. The state is spending less on burdensome regulation, and we are holding the line on taxes for Wisconsinites across the state. We know there is more work to be done. As the 2019-21 state budget process continues, we will continue on the same path and employ responsible fiscal planning to ensure continued prosperity and success for our state.

Governor Ignores Workforce Training, Republicans Invest

Governor Evers wants to hike taxes and increase spending by $1,000 per man, woman, and child. Yet he refused to address the worker shortage in our state in his budget. Republicans are continuing to make investments to train workers for the family-supporting jobs that are available right now in Wisconsin. We are providing a larger investment than the governor in our technical colleges - bringing our total investment to more than $100 million per year. While the governor failed to invest in worker training, we are making a real commitment to worker training with the money taxpayers are already providing. Republicans also provided an additional $25 million over the biennium. (which is more than the governor toward workforce programming.) Unlike the governor, Republicans are addressing the worker shortage with real investments to get real results.

Senate Passes Home Dialysis

A bill I authored that will help lower the costs for people who rely on home dialysis is moving quickly through the legislature. This week, the Wisconsin State Senate unanimously approved my bill which will help lower health care costs. Many people with end-stage renal disease receive their supplies for in-home dialysis directly from a distribution center. Current law requires dialysis distribution centers to staff a pharmacist, even though the centers only ship pre-packaged dialysis products to patients. My bill exempts distribution centers from being forced to obtain a pharmacist license if they meet common-sense safety requirements. It removes a burden that lays between patients and their healthcare, which will begin to lower costs for patients.  The bill now heads to the State Assembly for further action.

Pathways to Employment Bill Passes Assembly

Also this week, the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously approved a bi-partisan bill that will give people a second chance to support themselves and their families. I authored the Pathways to Employment bill with Republican Representative David Steffen and Democratic Representative Evan Goyke. Our goal is to reform the state's expungement laws. A conviction, no matter how long ago, can prevent someone from being hired. When someone has served their time, they deserve a chance to get a job. Wisconsin's unemployment rate is at an all-time low. Our biggest economic issue right now is that companies can't find employees for available jobs. We have hardworking people who can be dedicated employees, but don't have a chance at one of our many jobs because of a mistake made years ago. Our bill now heads to the State Senate for consideration.

Back the Badge

This week is National Police Week. It's a time to honor all who risk their lives to serve and protect us. I personally would like to thank our police officers for their courage, their sacrifice, and their dedication.

Area Schools Receive Grants

Congratulations to the Grafton, Brown Deer, and Milwaukee School Districts. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is awarding each district $25,000 in grants to start or improve fabrication laboratories (Fab Labs) in their schools. The Fab Labs help students learn skills that are in high demand in today's job market. Wisconsin needs more skilled workers, investments in Fab Labs will help make sure students are ready for the job market they will face after graduation.

Go Bucks!

Around the 8th...

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