Dear Friends,

Wisconsin's economic turnaround continues to get national attention. This week, CNBC moved Wisconsin up four spots in their 2018 Top States for Business list. We now rank number 17 on their list. The business news cable channel says the "Badger State offers strong education and a good economy."

CNBC is right. The employment level in Wisconsin is at an all-time high of 3,090,200, and our unemployment rate is still at an all-time low of 2.8%. But it wasn't always like this. Back in 2010, our employment rate was above 9%, and businesses were leaving. That's all changed because our reforms have truly made Wisconsin open for business. Now we are really seeing the results.                   

This week, I had the honor of delivering the Weekly Radio Address. I focused on our achievements to make sure kids don't fall through the cracks as we continue to fight the opioid crisis. You can listen to the whole address below.

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
Darling Delivers Weekly Radio Address
Listen to the radio address here:

Transcript:

Hi. I’m State Senator Alberta Darling.  

Our nation faces an opioid crisis. Republicans in Wisconsin are leading the way in the fight against heroin and opioid addiction.

We’ve passed 30 bills to combat the crisis. And it’s working.  

Opioid prescriptions are down 10 percent and more people are seeking and receiving treatment.

But addiction doesn’t just effect the addict, it takes a toll on their family members. Often, children of addicts find themselves in foster care, struggling with their own issues.

Up to 80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental health issues, compared to about 20 percent of the general population. Republicans are working hard to make sure these children don’t fall through the cracks.

We updated our laws to ensure kids considering suicide aren’t denied emergency treatment because their parents can’t be found.

Because of our actions foster parents now have access to mental health information that doctors believe is necessary for the children in their care.

In addition, we invested more than $7 million for mental health services for kids in our schools.  

Real progress is being made to help those affected by addiction. We will continue to make sure everyone affected by the opioid crisis gets the help they need to live healthy, happy, and successful lives.

On Wisconsin!
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.
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