LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

This year, the School Nutrition Association-Wisconsin’s State Advocacy Day was held virtually on Monday, February 27 from 1:00 – 3:15PM. The intent of this event is to provide participants with effective grassroots advocacy training, help them understand how they can make a difference in the state legislative process, and allow them to hear from key state policymakers (and ask questions) regarding issues that affect school nutrition in our state.

Our featured speaker was State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly, who spoke about the state Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) priorities for the state’s fiscal year 2023-2025 budget and will take questions from participants. We were also joined by state legislators to speak about various issues, including the state’s FY 20232025 budget, as well as a legislative effort to provide school meals to all students. In addition, presenters discussed SNA-WI policy priorities and how to effectively lobby your state legislators.

Go to the SNA-WI website to catch all the materials shared at the event and the recording will be posted soon.

SNA National Legislative Action Conference –March 5-7, 2023

The School Nutrition Association’s National Legislative Action Conference (LAC) will be held in Washington, DC, from March 5-7, 2023. For more information on the LAC schedule, as well as hotel information and other details, go to the SNA website. If you are interested in signing up, go to their signup page

2023-2024 State Legislative Session Begins

On January 3, statewide constitutional officers – including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer – and newly-elected state legislators were sworn in.

In addition, the 2023-2024 session of the Wisconsin State Legislature began. In the Assembly, Republicans will have 64 members and the Democrats will have 35 members. Republicans gained a net of three Assembly seats. One of these Assembly seats is located in the western Milwaukee suburbs and the other two are located in far northwest Wisconsin.

In the Senate, Republicans will have 21 members and the Democrats will have 11 members. Senate Republicans gained one Senate seat that was held by Democrats. This seat is located in far northwest Wisconsin and includes the city of Superior. However, it is important to note that there is one vacancy due to the December 1, 2022, resignation of Republican Senator Alberta Darling, who represented a Milwaukee suburban district. As a result of this resignation, a special primary election will be held on February 21, 2023, and a special general election will occur on April 4, 2023.

SNA-WI Member Finishes Service on Legislative Study Committee on Shared School District Services

Earlier this year, SNA-WI President-Elect and Legislative Committee member Bobbie Guyette was one of the members appointed to the Legislative Council Study Committee continued on page 25