Well, we have a bill number and a public hearing scheduled, so things are moving along quickly.  The Autism Scholarship is officially Assembly Bill 700 (AB 700).

The Wisconsin Legislature has an online tracking program that provides e-mail updates on the progress of any legislation.  If you are interested in following the progress of AB 700, please log onto the following page: http://notify.legis.state.wi.us/(og4wnu450lmdleerzkuramu1)/Home.aspx?extern=t.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a public hearing scheduled for the Scholarship bill.  Chair Debi Towns has put the bill on the calendar of the Assembly Education Committee for Tuesday, October 4th, 2005 at 10am in room 417 North (it is also called the GAR room).  It is at the end of the proposed calendar, so I can not be certain about an exact time that the bill will come up.  However, there are only 4 bills scheduled, so hopefully the time will move quickly.

I would encourage you to take some time and share your thoughts on this legislation before the Committee.  While the official term is "testifying before the committee" it is really more of an opportunity to share your personal stories (or struggles) and tell committee members how the bill can improve your child's education.  Once again, our focus of this legislation is providing parents choice in educating their son or daughter.

If for some reason you are unable to attend the hearing, and would like to share your support with members of the Committee, I would be happy to forward your written comments to the Committee members.  Please make sure to include your name, address, phone number and an e-mail (if possible).

As always, please feel free to contact my office toll free at 1-888-529-0030 or at my local number at 608-266-1526 with any questions or concerns.

Thanks again for your interest in this important issue.  I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Kitty Rhoades
State Representative
30th Assembly District
1-888-529-0030 Toll Free
1-608-282-3630 Fax
1-608-266-1526 Local
www.legis.state.wi.us
www.wisconsin.gov
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Assembly

PUBLIC HEARING

Committee on Education

The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

10:00 AM

417 North (GAR Hall)

State Capitol

Assembly Bill 584

Relating to: referenda to exceed a school district's revenue limit.

By Representatives Albers, Musser, Nass, Hines, Ainsworth and Vos; cosponsored by Senator Grothman.

Assembly Bill 637

Relating to: providing benefits to tribal schools and tribal school pupils similar to those provided to private schools and private school pupils and making an appropriation.

By Joint Legislative Council.

Assembly Bill 638

Relating to: providing state aid to tribal schools for certain pupils and making an appropriation.

By Joint Legislative Council.

Assembly Bill 700

Relating to: creating the Autism Scholarship Program and granting rule-making authority.

By Representatives Rhoades, Kleefisch, Montgomery, Pettis, Albers, Musser, Seidel, Davis, Townsend, Krawczyk, Owens, Gronemus, Wood, Freese, Towns, McCormick, Gunderson, Zepnick, Mursau, Kreibich, Nischke, Hines, Kestell, Steinbrink, Pridemore, Ott and Berceau; cosponsored by Senators Kanavas, Harsdorf and Leibham.

                               
Representative Debra Towns     
Chair