WELCOME to the reconfigured 2011 Day on the Hill. President Mark Gillen has dubbed it "Contact your Legislator Day." On this page you will find three suggested letter templates: one for state level senators or representatives who opposed Governor Walker's Budget Repair Bill and who oppose his 2011-2012 Biennial Budget, one for state level senators or representatives who supported Governor Walker's Budget Repair Bill and who support his 2011-2012 Biennial Budget, and one for our federal lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives. Please note that these are templates that you may use in their entirety, in part, or not at all. Above all WSCA wishes to encourage the support of public education at both the state and federal levels.

The Government Relations Committee and ad hoc legislative committee are busy exploring the future use of a state lobbyist in our quest to increase the voice of the organization. We are also already looking forward to next year's Day on the Hill event; one we hope will return to a format utilizing face-to-face meetings with our assembly members and senators. A representative from the GR Committee will be presenting specific information regarding next year's event at the 2012 WSCA Annual Conference in Stevens Point.

If you are unsure who represents you, click here to find out!!

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

The Federal House of Representatives and Senate are now on recess until Monday, March 28.
Take this time to visit your lawmakers in your hometown - many will be doing town hall meetings and other events -- make your voice heard!

IMPORTANT 2011 DAY ON THE HILL UPDATE!!! PLEASE READ!!

As a professional organization and as a service to our membership, WSCA is committed to expanding our legislative agenda and our presence in Madison. However, as we have been unable to schedule individual appointments for participants in this year's Day on the Hill, it is necessary to reconfigure this year's event.

We WILL NOT be gathering registered participants in Madison and meeting individually with legislators on Wednesday, March 23rd. WE ARE asking all members, whether you are registered or not, to participate in this year's event by navigating to the Government Relations page on the WSCA website and accessing correspondence to send to both our state and federal lawmakers.

We recognize the willingness of past Day on the Hill participants to absorb costs related to transportation, parking, meals, and time. In lieu of those burdens, this year please consider absorbing the cost of 4 stamps: two for your state lawmakers (assembly representative and senator) and two for your federal officials (house representative and senator). While convenient to send mail electronically (Reminder: political activity is often forbidden on work email accounts), receiving paper copies of letters can be even more powerful…especially if receiving the same message from multiple constituents.

While this reconfiguration may be less impactful than sitting across from our representatives, it carries the benefit of having the potential participation of all 1300+ WSCA members, not just those able to travel to Madison. Additionally, the ability to communicate the WSCA message at both the state and federal level provides notice to all lawmakers that professional school counselors in Wisconsin are willing to be involved in the legislative process to protect the education of all students in our state.

The suggested messages for our state and federal leadership will be available on the Government Relations webpage by the original date set for the 2011 Day on the Hill: Wednesday, March 23rd.
The Government Relations Committee would like to thank you for your flexibility in this reconfiguration, your passion for contributing to the development of all students, and your willingness to provide a voice for WSCA members and all professional school counselors in Wisconsin.