Thanks to unprecedented revenue estimates by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Republicans have a plan to return much of that surplus to you. Our budget plan contains $3.4 billion in tax cuts and picks up two-thirds of the cost of public education.

We are lowering the tax burden on the average family by $1,200 by providing huge investments in income and property tax relief. Last year was incredibly difficult for many. I am excited to return your hard-earned money back to you.

I also want to highlight critical investments in projects like the UW Freshwater Collaborative, the Milwaukee Public Museum, expanding the Child Psychiatry Consultation Program statewide, and grants for school mental health.

Everyone in Wisconsin 12 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are eligible and are having trouble finding the COVID-19 vaccine in your area, the State of Wisconsin now has a map of vaccine providers. The website not only helps link people to the vaccine but also provides information on how the state is distributing doses. The state also has a COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline. The hotline is offering personal assistance for vaccine-related questions. The toll-free number is 1-844-684-1064.

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.

This week, the Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing on an important bill I authored that will protect student-athletes.

Senate Bill 95/Assembly Bill 82 are called the Kai 11 bill. Kai was a three-sport athlete at Waukesha North High School. Despite being only 16 and a great athlete, Kai died from sudden cardiac arrest. Regular school physicals for sports didn't detect the problems with Kai's heart.

My bill will provide information regarding the risks of sudden cardiac arrest, and how to request an electrocardiogram. The measure is based on a previous law I authored which raised awareness of the dangers of concussions in sports.

The State Senate approved the Kai 11 bill in March.

If a child can't read by the end of third grade, they are more likely to drop out of high school, live in poverty, and end up in the criminal justice system. We have a reading crisis in our state.

In Wisconsin, 64% of fourth-graders are not proficient readers, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Wisconsin ranks dead last in reading achievement among black students, falling 31 places since 1992. The numbers are no better for white or Hispanic students.

That's why I am working on legislation with Senator Kathy Bernier of Chippewa Falls to turn those numbers around. Our bill will increase reading assessments and keep parents in the loop on how well their child is reading. We are currently seeking co-sponsors for this important bill.

One way you can help is by donating blood. If you have recovered from COVID-19, please especially consider donating your plasma.

You can find out where to donate here and here.

Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker