Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who took part in my Tele-Town Hall on Tuesday evening. I had a great time hearing directly from so many of you. We had a lively discussion. You can hear all of it and read more about our forum below.

Wisconsin set another record. Our preliminary unemployment rate for April is 2.8% - that's the lowest ever! Not only is our unemployment rate the lowest on record, more people are working in Wisconsin than ever before.

The numbers are also great for workers in the prime working age of 25 to 55. More than 85% of people in that prime age group are employed. Wisconsin is working like never before!

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
Tuesday's Tele-town Hall
This week, I had the chance to do something I love about my job. I had the honor of speaking with many of you.

I held a Tele-Town Hall so I could hear directly from people in our area about issues and their concerns. Thank you to the thousands of people who listened in and to everyone who asked questions. I loved talking to you.

We also had some interesting results from our poll questions. When asked if Wisconsin is headed in the right direction, 52% said "Yes," 18% said "No," and 29% were undecided. When we asked what is the biggest issue facing our state, 52% said it was health care costs, 23% said the opioid crisis, 13% workforce shortage, and 12% said high taxes. Finally, we asked if our public schools are preparing our students for the 21st century. Seventy-six percent said "No," while 24% said "Yes."

If you missed my call, you can listen to the entire Tele-Town Hall here.
Wisconsin Sets Record Low Unemployment Rate - Again!
Maps Show Job Growth in Wisconsin
What a difference a few years (and a lot of reforms) make. The maps above show unemployment rates by county on May 2010 and May 2017. Black, orange, and yellow are high rates. Green and white are low rates.

Please note that map only goes to May of 2017. Sixty-three (63) of Wisconsin's 72 counties recorded or tied their lowest March unemployment rate on record in 2018.

Our state has come a long way from the days of high unemployment, tax hikes, and companies fleeing. Back in 2010 when Governor Walker declared Wisconsin "Open for Business," he meant it. This map is clear evidence of how far we've come.
Pension System Leads to Higher Bond Rating
One of the keys to our economic success as a state is our low legacy costs. Wisconsin is one of only four states with a fully-funded pension system.

In the video above, Wisconsin's Chief Economist, John Koskinen, discusses how paying our bills is leading to a higher bond rating for the state.
Child Sales Tax Rebate Sign-up Begins
Parents with a child aged 18 or younger can now start claiming a Child Sales Tax Rebate! Families who qualify are eligible for a $100 rebate per child for sales and use tax paid in 2017. Click on the picture above to sign up!
May is Stroke Awareness Month
May is stroke awareness month. Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of severe disability.

Watch the video above to learn the warning signs of stroke and how to act F.A.S.T.
Wisconsin Proud!
  • Unemployment in Wisconsin is at an all-time low. (2.8% April 2018 preliminary rate)
  • Employment is at an all-time high. (3,078,100 March 2018)
  • Over 85 percent of our population in the state in the prime age group of 25 to 55 is employed.
  • Wisconsin leads the nation in manufacturing jobs gained in 2018.
  • The state's Rainy Day Fund is $320 million - the highest ever.
  • For the third straight report, Wisconsin led all Midwest states in the Chicago Fed's Midwest Economy Index.
  • State funding for K-12 education reached an all-time high in actual dollars in the most recent state budget - $11.5 billion!
Around the 8th...
On Monday, I had the honor of attending the 39th Annual Armed Forces Dinner in Milwaukee. It was a fantastic event put on by the Navy League of the United States Milwaukee Council and the Milwaukee Armed Services Committee.
The University School of Milwaukee visited the State Capitol on May 10th!
Good luck to Ally Sanfelippo and Chris Meyers. Both of them did an excellent job serving you in my office. They will be missed!