Don’t miss out on the
informative Governor’s Northern Economic Development Summit, which is devoted
to economic development in Northern Wisconsin. Grab your community or county
team, and get ready for an action-packed summit.
Register now – space is
limited!
To register or learn
more about the 2016 Governor’s Northern Economic Development Summit, click
below.
We’re working every day
to build a Wisconsin where everyone who wants a job can find a job. One of the
most important ways we’re doing that is by investing in worker training
programs, such as dual enrollment and Project SEARCH.
When we say we want
everyone who wants a job to find a job, we do mean everyone. Our efforts focus
on removing barriers to employment for the citizens of our state, especially
those who might not have the opportunity to receive practical skills training
otherwise, including individuals with disabilities.
We know Wisconsin’s
workers with disabilities possess a unique set of abilities and a diverse set
of strengths and skills that not only benefit their employers but their communities
as well.
In 2014, we launched
the year of A Better Bottom Line to empower and support individuals with
disabilities who seek to join our workforce.
Today, a record 9,507
individuals with disabilities have reached their employment goals during the
first two full federal fiscal years since we launched A Better Bottom Line.
This is an incredible
accomplishment and indicates Wisconsin businesses know hiring workers with
disabilities and helping them develop the practical skills necessary to thrive
in the workplace improves their bottom line and spurs economic growth.
We will continue to
invest in programs like Project SEARCH, which helps to break down barriers to
employment and allows workers with disabilities gain valuable knowledge and
experience. Ultimately, this enables them to contribute to the economy and earn
a competitive wage, all while gaining confidence and marketable skills in the
process.
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Wisconsin is strong – we’ve gone from a $3.6 billion budget deficit when we took office in 2011 to ending Fiscal Year 2016 with a positive balance of $313 million. Not to mention our unemployment rate is the lowest we’ve seen in 15 years, and the percentage of people working throughout Wisconsin is one of the highest in the nation.
When more people in our state are working, we see our economy improve.
To ensure the next generation of Wisconsin’s workers are prepared to enter our workforce, we must provide them with the skills and training they need to succeed today. And that starts in high school with programs like Youth Apprenticeship (YA) and the Fab Labs Grant Program, and continues by helping our students and their families prepare for the financial burden of higher education.
We’ve declared today as College Goal Wisconsin Day throughout the state as part of our ongoing efforts to make sure Wisconsin students and families are aware of higher education costs before they start college, so they are better able to plan for the educational path that is best for them.
Last spring, we signed our College Affordability Legislative Package into law, which increased funds to allow the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to award emergency grants to students facing unexpected financial hardship. It also dedicated staff within the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to focus on connecting students with internships and made college and student debt costs more transparent.
Another useful resource is the Student Debt Loan Debt Specialist at the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), who works with families to inform them of the options they have when it comes to student loan repayment and refinancing options.
College Goal Wisconsin is a statewide event that provides free information and assistance to families filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is a required form for students seeking financial assistance, such as grants and loans.
Starting today, College Goal Wisconsin is hosting 44 events at 35 different sites across Wisconsin as an opportunity for low-income high school seniors and their families to learn more about the financial aid application process.
We’re proud to highlight these efforts today by declaring College Goal Wisconsin Day, and we encourage everyone to check out the College Goal website below for more information or to find an event near you.
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This week, the
Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) released its first report
from the Controlled Substances Board highlighting the success of Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
The report indicates
that between July 1 and September 30 of this year, Wisconsin saw a 9.63 percent
reduction in opioid prescriptions and 9.89 percent reduction in drug doses when
compared to the same period in 2015.
These numbers suggest
the reforms we’ve put in place to curtail opioid prescription pill abuse and
overdose are a step in the right direction. The number of prescription pills
dispensed decreased by 8.2 million.
That means there are
8.2 million fewer pills to sit in medicine cabinets unused with the potential
of being misused.
Looking forward, we
expect the positive impact of PDMP will continue to improve as we roll out the
enhanced program in early 2017.
A copy of the
Controlled Substances Report is attached below.
We enjoy sharing all the great news about our state with you. It is an honor to serve as your Governor and represent the people of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Governor Scott Walker
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