On Wednesday, January 21 the State Senate was in session. This was the first Senate session in several years that was not streamed on WisconsinEye, the state’s version of C-SPAN. Thankfully, with the help of the Legislative Technology Services Bureau (LTSB), we were still able to livestream the proceedings to ensure state government remained open and transparent for anyone who wished to watch.

During the session, the Senate passed a number of bills focused on easing the cost of living and making strategic investments in farmers and rural Wisconsin.

“No Tax on Tips” and “Classroom Supplies Tax Credit”: After passing the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) last week, “no tax on tips” was approved by the entire Senate. This legislation will work in conjunction with federal legislation to exempt up to $25,000 in tips from income tax. We also passed legislation to allow K-12 teachers to claim up to a $300 deduction on their income taxes for out-of-pocket expenses such as classroom supplies, books, and personal development courses.

Prohibiting foreign ownership of agriculture and forestry land: This legislation prohibits individuals or entities from countries designated as foreign adversaries of the United States (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela) from owning agricultural or forest lands in Wisconsin. This bill protects our farmland, food supply chain, and intellectual property, while guarding against espionage and other potential national security threats. This legislation is modeled after a bill passed in Virginia under a divided legislature before being signed by a Republican governor.

Mississippi River Trail Signage: I authored this bill to highlight the Mississippi River Trail, a bike route located primarily along the Great River Road. This legislation requires official signage to be put up marking the trail, confirms the designated route, and promotes tourism. Every municipality along the Great River Road has already approved the installation of these signs.

Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy Limit Exemptions: This bill creates a levy limit exemption for regional EMS districts that collaborate across county lines. By allowing communities to work together without being penalized under levy limits, this legislation helps incentivize regional collaboration and efficiency to help address increased demand, workforce shortages, and rising costs.

No Patient Left Alone Act: This legislation allows for “compassionate care” visitation during communicable disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. During the pandemic, virtual patient visits fell short, leaving many hospitalized patients isolated from their loved ones. This bill balances keeping people safe with compassion, ensuring that patients are not left alone during future public health emergencies.

January’s session was a productive day focused on practical solutions for Wisconsin families, workers, and rural communities. We lowered the tax burden on educators and those in the service industry. We protected our farmland, strengthened EMS services, and ensured compassionate care during public health emergencies. I look forward to continuing this work and delivering results for the people of our state during the remainder of the legislative session.

If you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call my team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready and willing to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.