PRESS RELEASE
State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) authored a bill that was signed into law, which adds information related to the state’s Safe Haven law to high school health classes.
Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law allows parents to safely relinquish their newborn children to police officers, emergency responders or hospitals without legal consequence, so long as the child is less than 72 hours old.
“This legislation was drafted in response to a tragedy involving a newborn baby named Harper, who was found murdered earlier this year in Green County,” said Ballweg. “Being pregnant as an adult is stressful, but teen pregnancy brings along a number of additional stressors, including meeting school obligations, judgment by peers, potential ramifications from family members and low incomes. When emotions are high, this legislation provides those young parents another option to consider.”
This legislation does not mandate that school boards have to offer this curriculum but states that if they do offer human growth and development courses, this information be added.
Ag exports
The state senate unanimously passed legislation authored by Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) which establishes a comprehensive agriculture and agribusiness export program. This bill now goes to the governor to be signed into law.
“Agriculture contributes over $100 billion to our state’s economy each year,” said Ballweg. “This program provides an opportunity for Wisconsin to find footholds in emerging markets and strengthen our second largest industry for years to come.”
The bill will require the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to work with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to create a plan and achieve export objectives by June 30, 2026.
Objectives include, spending $2.5 million on increasing the value of Wisconsin’s milk and other dairy products, $1.25 million to increase the value of Wisconsin meat exports and $1.25 million to increase the value of Wisconsin’s crop exports.
To ensure this program is creating real outcomes for Wisconsin’s agriculture economy, DATCP and WEDC are required to submit a report on the program’s progress. Additionally, the Legislative Audit Bureau is required to conduct an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness by no later than December 31, 2026.
“I am proud to see this legislation, which was supported by numerous agriculture groups, advance. I believe there is tremendous opportunity for Wisconsin to create lasting partnerships that will support our local communities for years to come,” said Ballweg.
Tourism
Tourism is Wisconsin’s third largest industry and was one of the first hit hard by the pandemic. However, good news was recently announced by U.S. Travel Association that indicates a slow but promising recovery for this industry and the over 20,000 jobs it supports.
Each month, the U.S. Travel Association releases a monthly travel data report, which tracks travel spending across all 50 states. Wisconsin was the first state in the Midwest, and only one of 13 in the nation, to exceed travel spending in September 2021 as compared to September of 2019 – 2019 was a record travel spending year and is often used as a comparison to show economic recovery.
Our Midwest neighbors, Illinois and Minnesota, are still under the national average of -9%, at -21% and -20%, in spending declines. This highlights the enthusiasm of Wisconsinites to get out and travel. Our +1% spending increase couldn’t have been accomplished without our residents exploring their own state.
Wisconsin has a lot to offer with 15,000 lakes, 43,000 miles of river shoreline and millions of acres of public land. I was proud to lead my colleagues on the Joint Committee on Finance in investing an additional $1.5 million over the biennium for marketing expansion and continuing to fund the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
It has been shown that every $1 invested in tourism promotion returns $8 in tax revenue to our state. Although our spending increase is great news, it does not mean we are in the clear yet. I look forward to continuing this momentum and expanding our tourism markets, and I encourage everyone to go out and explore our great state.
To reach Sen. Ballweg with questions or comments please call (608) 266-0751 or email Sen.Ballweg@legis.wi.gov. Visit her website, legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/14/ballweg, to subscribe to her weekly e-update.