Dear Friends,

In case you missed it: Several of our communities are among the best places to live in our state. Recently, the website HomeSnacks listed its 10 best places to live in Wisconsin for 2020, and four of the cities are in our area! According to the website, Whitefish Bay (1), Fox Point (2), Mequon (6), and Menomonee Falls (9) all top the ratings for our state.

Mequon (1) and Grafton (4) also made HomeSnacks' list of best cities to raise a family in Wisconsin. Nearby Cedarburg was ranked second on that list. The website compiles data from dozens of sources, including the Census and FBI, to make their rankings. Congratulations to all of our great communities!

I had another great and busy week representing you in Madison. Several of my bills were approved by the Assembly and Senate this week. I also had some wonderful visits and meetings with folks from our area. You can read all about that and more 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.wisconsin.gov.

On, Wisconsin!
Bipartisan Tax Cut Sent to Governor
Because taxpayers provided $818 million more than expected, Republicans are delivering another significant tax cut.

Instead of growing government, we are using that money responsibly. Our plan cuts income taxes by $250 million, pays down state debt, and reduces the personal property tax.

Average tax filers will see their income taxes drop by more than $100. In the last budget, we delivered more than $450 million in tax cuts targeted to middle-class families. By 2021, we will have cut taxes by more than $13 billion since 2011.

Unfortunately, Governor Tony Evers is threatening to veto your tax cut. Please give the governor a call at 608-266-1212 and tell him you want your tax cut!
Assembly Approves Holocaust Education Bill
My bill to require teaching about the Holocaust in our schools cleared a major hurdle this week. Thanks to the more than 100 people who recently came to Madison to support the bill, it passed the State Assembly 98-0 on Tuesday!

Assembly Bill 816 adds Holocaust education to the model academic standards for social studies. Also, it guarantees that Wisconsin students learn about the Holocaust at least once during middle school and once during high school. 
  
Holocaust education is currently required in 11 states with legislation pending in 17 others. Our goal is to ensure that Wisconsin students understand the important lessons of the Holocaust and the dangerous consequences of rising Antisemitism and religious bigotry. 

As the number of living Holocaust survivors and witnesses dwindle, it is up to us to ensure that the unforgivable events of the Holocaust are never forgotten and never repeated.  
Senate Approves Three Darling Education Bills
Our veterans bravely served this nation and bring leadership and value to our communities. I’m happy to report the State Senate unanimously approved my bill to help keep veterans in Wisconsin!

Senate Bill 537 would give veterans a grant of up to $2,000 per semester or session directed toward tuition. Any participating institution would be required to provide a matching grant to the student. The Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities estimates my bill could assist more than 700 veterans.
This week, the State Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill I am working on with Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt of Fond du Lac that will better prepare kids for learning.

Our children must be ready for school. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, more than 60% of our students are not proficient in reading or math. 

My bill will create a pilot program for an online early learning program. Students who start school without basic skills are more likely to drop out and never graduate from college. With some online help, more kids will get a chance to succeed. 
The Senate also approved a bill I authored with Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke of Kaukauna to help make sure kids get the mental health care they need. According to a 2018 report from the Office of Children's Mental Health, 24% of Wisconsin teens have been diagnosed with a mental illness. The same report shows our state is lacking in providing access to the care they need.

Assembly Bill 644 will help connect kids with mental health services in their schools. Through consultations with mental health professionals at the Medical College of Wisconsin, school personnel will be educated on how to manage mental health concerns in the classroom, where to refer complex cases, and will also receive educational training seminars. The bill now heads to the governor. 
RISE Act Approved
Too often, inmates learn new skills in prison but aren't able to use them when they get out. That's why I authored a bipartisan bill to help make use of those in-demand skills.
 
The Reduce Incarceration, Secure Employment or RISE Act would create a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) for ex-offenders who are not likely to pose a risk to public safety. Those with certain offenses, particularly those involving violent or sexual crimes, will not be eligible to apply.
 
Regardless of the crime committed, the CQE would still not apply to certain facilities where our most vulnerable populations could be at risk, such as childcare centers or certain health care facilities. A CQE also does not apply to jobs substantially related to the applicant's crime. 
 
The RISE Act will give people a second chance and give employers confidence in their new employees. And it will help stop the revolving door of prison. It now heads to the governor for final approval.
Senate Approves Tougher on Crime Bills
Two bills that are part of our Tougher on Crime Agenda received strong support in the Senate this week.

The Senate unanimously passed a bill Representative Jim Ott and I authored to provide grants to communities to combat car theft. With this funding, communities can put more police on the streets and develop strategic plans to reduce crime.

Carjackings continue to be a big problem throughout our state. It's not only the loss of a vehicle that is a problem, but car thieves often drive recklessly and lead to chases that put the public and police at risk. In 2018, more than 5,400 cars were reported stolen in our area. It's time we give law enforcement the tools and the funding to stop carjackings. 

Another bill I authored with Representative Dan Knodl will help protect victims and witnesses at trial. It is headed to the governor after passing both houses this week.

Too often criminals are let off the hook because witnesses are too scared to testify. These bills will get more criminals off the street because witnesses and victims will be protected. Protecting crime victims and witnesses will lead to more convictions and make sure criminals can't intimidate their way to a mistrial. 
Assembly Approves Investment in Water Research
This week, my bill to help Wisconsin become the "Silicon Valley of Water" received unanimous support from the Joint Committee on Finance and the State Assembly. Senate Bill 712 could make Wisconsin a worldwide leader in water research

Water is the fastest-growing sector of the world's economy. It's expected to have an impact of $800 billion every year by 2035. It's my hope this legislation will make Wisconsin a world leader in water research and solutions that lead to safe drinking water.
State of the Tribes Address
On Tuesday, Chairman Ned Daniels Jr. of the Forest County Potawatomi Community delivered the 16th annual State of the Tribes Address.

The Chairman outlined many challenges that we share with the tribes including human trafficking, water issues, and opioid addiction. I'm proud of our efforts to tackle these issues together.

Click on the picture to watch Chairman Daniels' speech.
Wisconsin is Still Winning!
Blue Books Available
Around the 8th...
This week, several members of the the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association visited as part of their Legislative Day.

I really appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from people in our area about issues that are important to them.

Thank you for taking the time to visit!
I also met with students from Milwaukee Area Technical College and learned how they are balancing school and life. It was great hearing their stories!
On Tuesday, I had the honor of meeting Queenie Weesen, who studied nursing at Moraine Park Technical College.

Queenie lives in Mequon, but is originally from the Philippines. She is amazing! Click on the picture to learn more about her story.
Click the picture above for more information.