Dear Friends,

Wisconsin's economy continues to be on a roll. The number of workers employed set a new record high last month. June also marks the fifth consecutive month where our unemployment rate remained below 3% - that's never happened before!

Wisconsin gained 7,400 non-farm and 5,500 private-sector jobs in June. We've also added 17,600 manufacturing jobs over the year.

This didn't happen by accident. We've reformed government and carefully budgeted to make sure Wisconsin has an environment to create and keep family-supporting careers. And it's working!

We are seeing the benefits all over the state. This week, Foxconn announced they are creating a technology hub in Eau Claire. The technology giant says the new location will create 150 jobs and serve as a "an incubator and laboratory for next-generation technological solutions."

The Eau Claire facility is in addition to Foxconn's North American headquarters in downtown Milwaukee that will house 500 jobs and an innovation center in Green Bay that will create 200 jobs.

Foxconn is making a real impact throughout the entire state of Wisconsin. According to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Foxconn will add $78 Billion to our state’s GDP over 15 year term of package. That's huge!

It's important that we keep up with the demand for workers for the thousands of jobs available and the thousands more headed our way. Often a major barrier to work is not being able to get to a job. Governor Scott Walker is making a major investment to remove that barrier.

On Monday, Governor Walker visited Quad Graphics in Sussex to announce $8 million for the Commute to Careers program. The money will be used to help provide transportation from their homes to businesses. Eliminating transportation issues for workers will help make sure more people will be able to find family-supporting careers.

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!

Alberta
Wisconsin Loses a Legend
I am shocked and saddened by the passing of former State Senator Mike Ellis. Mike was a legend in state politics. His leadership and decades of service to the people of Wisconsin helped make our state a nationwide leader in reform.  

Mike’s stories were as famous as his political skills. He will be greatly missed.  

My condolences go out to his wife Sandy and his family
School Safety Grants Announced
This week, Attorney General Brad Schimel announced 89 School Safety Grants. Republicans invested $100 million in school safety that's in addition to the largest, real dollar, investment in our schools of $11.5 billion.

The Attorney General announced grants for Saint Joseph Parish School (Grafton), $19,455; Brown Deer School District, $42,678; Mequon-Thiensville School District, $136,441; Milwaukee Jewish Day School, $20,000; and Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran School $18,880.00.

Recently, grants were also awarded to Grafton School District Grafton $83,836.00; Lumen Christi Catholic School in Mequon; $19,950.00; Menomonee Falls School District $131,808.00; Saint Boniface Grade School in Germantown $20,465.00; Saint Paul Lutheran School in Grafton  $19,840.00; and Whitefish Bay School District $80,841.00.

These investments will help complement what many of our school districts are already doing to protect their children. School leaders know best about what they need to protect their students, and this plan gives them the flexibility to make changes where needed.

You can read more about the grants here.
Wisconsin Breaking Employment Records
Sales Tax Holiday on its Way
Wisconsin's first Sales Tax Holiday is coming soon. Find out how much you can save as you prepare your kids for the upcoming school year by clicking the photo above.
Major League Baseball Honors Wisconsin Heroes
This week, Major League Baseball honored 30 Medal of Honor winners before the All-Star Game - including 2 heroes from Wisconsin. Lt. Colonel Harold Fritz and Sgt. Major Kenneth Stumpf, both of Milwaukee were among the honorees.

Watch the moving tribute by clicking on the photo above and click on the links below to read more about our great heroes!

Lt. Colonel Harold Fritz (3:52 of the video below)

Sgt. Major Kenneth Stumpf (5:17 of the video)
Wisconsin Counties Honor Senator Darling
A big thank you to the Wisconsin Counties Association for presenting me with the 2018 Outstanding Legislator Award!
Wisconsin Proud!
  • Business Insider ranked Wisconsin's economy as the 10th best in the nation.
  • Fifty of Wisconsin's 72 counties met or broke their all-time low unemployment rates in May.
  • CNBC ranks Wisconsin as the 17th best state in the nation for business.
  • All 12 of the state's metro areas and all our 32 largest cities have seen a year-over-year drop in unemployment. 
  • The number of people employed in Wisconsin is at an all-time high of 3,090,200, and the unemployment rate is at all-time low at 2.8% for May.
  • Construction wages in Wisconsin are up 7.5% from 2016-2017.
  • Wisconsin ranks 7th in manufacturing job creation from 2016-17, and wages are up 15% since 2010.
Around the 8th...
Congratulations to Thiensville Village Administrator Dianne Robertson! She was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Wisconsin City/County Management Association. The association recognized Diane's work in keeping Thiensville debt-free for more than a decade.

Thank you for dedication to the people of Thiensville!