Dear Friends,

There's more great news for one of our state's largest industries. Wisconsin ranks number 2 in the nation and best in the Midwest for manufacturing job creation since April 2017! We are also ranked 3rd in the country for manufacturing jobs created in 2018. And that's not all.

In case you missed it, Wisconsin set a new all-time low in April for our unemployment rate of 2.8%. We are tied with Iowa for the lowest unemployment rate in the Midwest. The rest of our neighbors are not fairing quite as well. Minnesota is at 3.2%, Illinois is at 4.4%, and Michigan is at 4.7%. Not only is our unemployment rate at a record low, but Wisconsin's employment rate is at its highest ever.

In April, our labor force participation rate increased again to 68.9%. April's increase tied for 2nd in the nation. Wisconsin is really on a roll, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

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
Trauma Informed Care Day
Governor Scott Walker declared Tuesday as Trauma-Informed Care Day. I am honored to work with Governor Walker and First Lady Tonette on this issue as a member of the Fostering Futures Policy Advisory Council. 

Click on the video above to see how Wisconsin is becoming a national leader in Trauma Informed Care. 
Welcome New Residents!
Graphic: WGN News
Wisconsin's success story isn't a secret anymore. While we've worked to cut taxes and reform government, states like Illinois did the opposite. Lawmakers there raised taxes and are looking to raise them again. Wisconsin has a fully-funded pension, while Illinois ranks near the bottom. Now we are seeing the results of people voting with their feet.

According to data from U.S. Census Bureau, Wisconsin is gaining population while people are fleeing Illinois. With more than 98 thousand available positions through the Job Center of Wisconsin, expect this trend to continue.
Wisconsin Working!
Child Sales Tax Rebate Sign-up Continues
Parents with a child aged 18 or younger can claim a Child Sales Tax Rebate! Families who qualify are eligible for a $100 rebate per child for sales and use tax paid in 2017.

So far, more than 300,000 have signed up for the rebate. Click on the picture above to sign up!
Wisconsin Proud!
  • Wisconsin ranks No. 2 in the nation for manufacturing job creation since April 2017.
  • 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...
St. Paul Lutheran School in Grafton visited the Capitol recently.
Kennedy Elementary School in Grafton visited the Capitol.
Riverside Elementary School in Menomonee Falls toured the Capitol on Monday.
Memorial Day 2018
memorial_day.jpg
Menomonee Falls Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28, 2018 10:00 AM

Annual Mequon-Thiensville Memorial Day Parade 
Monday, May 28, 2018 10:00 AM

Milwaukee Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28, 2018 2:00 PM