This week, I had the opportunity to give the weekly GOP radio address on behalf of our caucus. In this week’s segment, I discuss how Senate Democrats turned their backs on the residents of Wisconsin by rejecting a negotiated deal with Gov. Tony Evers concerning our state’s multibillion-dollar budget surplus. We had an agreement that would have done the following: •Returned $600 to individual Wisconsin families •Invested significant funds for special education reimbursements and general school aids meant to lower property taxes •Eliminated the state income tax on overtime pay and tips Yet, every single Democrat in the Senate voted against this proposal, ensuring your hard-earned money continues to sit in Madison. If you are interested in listening to my radio address, please click here: mcusercontent.com/2869717bfb…

I am thrilled to share with all of you that Cardinal IG in Tomah has made it to the Final 4 of the 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. Unfortunately, Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa did not advance to the semifinals of the yearly competition administered by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Please join me in supporting Cardinal IG by voting for them at madeinwis.com. You can cast one vote per day per email address until noon on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The company with the most votes will be crowned the champion. Cardinal IG is a great local business and I hope we can help them claim the top spot.

Attention farmers in the 24th Senate District: You have until Jan. 15 of next year to apply for commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program research grants. The purpose of these grants is to refine new methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to agricultural fields. Individual farmers are eligible to receive a maximum award of $40,000. A total of $1 million is available for this round of grants. Recipients will be announced in the spring of 2027. If you would like more information, please click here: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Medi…

I am proud to have recently received the 2026 Building Wisconsin Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. The Building Wisconsin Award recognizes legislators who have demonstrated support for the merit shop construction industry in the state. It also acknowledges efforts in promoting free enterprise, open competition and policies that benefit Wisconsin’s construction sector and economy.

The application period for the latest round of Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants is now open. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by Nov. 4. The purpose of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grant Program is to strengthen the state's agriculture and food industries by helping farmers and employers more efficiently process, market and distribute locally-grown products. The program is open to individuals, groups or businesses that are involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food or agricultural tourism operations. If you would like further details, please click here: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/BuyLocalB…

I have some great news to share with all of you. Thanks to your support, Cardinal IG in Tomah and Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa have advanced to the Elite 8 of this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin competition. Please help ensure that both local companies make it to the Final 4 by casting your votes at the following link: madeinwis.com/contests/2026-… This round of voting ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. You can vote once per day per email address. Good luck, Cardinal IG and Jacoby Custom Cues. We are all rooting for you.

Earlier this morning, I had the honor and privilege of joining Representative William Penterman to meet with approximately 100 cadets from the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy who were visiting the state Capitol in Madison. Located in the 24th Senate District at Fort McCoy, the Challenge Academy is a 22-week quasi-military residential alternative education program for at-risk students who are behind on their high school credits. Throughout our time together, I gave them words of encouragement and explained how the Challenge Academy will help shape their futures. Additionally, Rep. Penterman and I answered questions related to our jobs in politics. In what is now becoming a tradition, we also accepted a push-up challenge from one of the cadets. I know these students will go on to accomplish many great things and I cannot wait to attend their graduation ceremony next year.

Two companies located in the 24th Senate District have made it to the Sweet 16 of the 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. They are Cardinal IG in Tomah for their CliC Smart Privacy Glass and Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa for their Custom Pool Cues. Let’s do all we can to help these two great local businesses advance to the next round of the competition. You can cast one vote per day per email address by clicking on the following link: madeinwis.com/contests/2026-… The current voting period runs through Tuesday, Oct. 6. The Top 8 will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

“On the Job” at the Russell Rezin and Son Cranberry Marsh in Warrens

This project will be a great benefit to our entire region. wsaw.com/2026/09/30/mid-stat…

Are you looking for something to do with the kids this weekend that is fun, informative and free? Then you are in luck. wsaw.com/2026/09/22/central-…

Four companies located in the 24th Senate District have been nominated to compete in the 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin competition. They are: • Cardinal IG in Tomah for their CliC Smart Privacy Glass • Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa for their Custom Pool Cues • King Cone in Plover for their Mint on Your Pillow Ice Cream • Stevens Point Brewery in Stevens Point for their Point Brewery Beverages Please join me in voting for these four local businesses by clicking here: madeinwis.com/ Voting for this round ends on Sept. 29. The Top 16 will advance to the Manufacturing Madness portion of the contest. You can submit one vote per day per email address. I want to wish the best of luck to Cardinal IG, Jacoby Custom Cues, King Cone and Stevens Point Brewery in this year’s competition.

For my latest “On the Job” visit, I went to the heart of cranberry country and worked a shift at the Russell Rezin and Son Cranberry Marsh in Warrens. Founded in 1918, this fifth-generation, 250-acre family farm continues to be a major contributor to Wisconsin’s standing as the “Cranberry King” of the entire world. In fact, our state grows roughly 60 percent of the nation’s crop and more than 50 percent of the global supply. My staff is currently putting together video footage of my experience at the Russell Rezin and Son Cranberry Marsh. Once the full video is finished, I look forward to sharing it with all of you. Since I was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, I have regularly spent a day "On the Job" with local employers to get a better understanding of their operations and to highlight the employment opportunities available in our area. If you know of a business in the 24th Senate District that wants to be featured in one of my future "On the Job" segments, please contact my office.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting applications for the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant program through Oct. 15. The goal of the grants is to expand Wisconsin's meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state's livestock sector. If you are interested in more information about the grant program, please click here: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Medi…

“The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.” — Rudy Giuliani

I would like to offer all high school juniors and seniors in the 24th Senate District the opportunity to participate in a rewarding educational experience at the state Capitol in Madison. Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Senate Scholar Program. The submission deadline is Nov. 6. The week-long event introduces high school juniors and seniors to the many facets of state government and the legislative process. Tasks include attending Senate floor debates, committee hearings and seminars. Senate Scholars will also engage in mock legislative activities where they will draft a bill and vote it out of committee. Admission to the program is highly competitive and limited to 33 academically exceptional students. Typically, only one is chosen from each senate district. For those interested in filling out a digital copy of the application, please click here: legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/s… If you still have questions about the Senate Scholar Program after reviewing the website, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.

Congratulations, Asa Bennett. I know you will represent Central Wisconsin well on the state Cranberry Board. datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Medi…

The Joint Finance Committee, of which I serve as Senate vice-chair, met yesterday to consider several items. One of the proposals we approved involved the sale of two unoccupied state-owned buildings. This move is expected to save taxpayers more than $200 million in deferred maintenance costs. The proceeds from both sales will go toward paying down state debt. In other action, my JFC colleagues and I released $10 million for PFAS clean-up and remediation efforts. That amount is in addition to the $130 million that was approved earlier in the 2025-26 legislative session. We also voted in favor of a $24 million reimbursement to counties for increased road salt costs during the previous winter season.

Good luck, students, on your first day of school.