MADISON. . . Legislation to improve and strengthen Wisconsin laws pertaining to crimes against children, charter schools, and the equalization aid formula for schools will be the main objective of three new Legislative Council study committees, according to state Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), recently appointed to be a member of each.
“These committees will give state policy makers the important ability to utilize a teamwork-type atmosphere to tackle some of the most important, pressing issues of the day,” said Darling. “As a longtime advocate for children’s health and safety, the ability to lead a committee charged with reviewing and updating laws that protect children and punish those who hurt them is a special privilege.”
For Darling, the original author of Wisconsin’s landmark Sexual Predator and Community Notification Law, the ability to lead a committee that will include fellow legislators and interested, experienced members of the public was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Darling is also enthused about participating in two other committees that should produce modifications to the existing public school equalization aide formula and charter school laws.
“Wisconsin’s current school aid formula is the source of much consternation and debate, so it will be paramount that the members of the special committee come in with open minds and a spirit of cooperation,” said Darling. “I’m also excited about my impending participation in the charter school task force will give me the ability to remain front and center on an issue I have been involved with from the start; that is the creation and expansion of the existing charter laws and guidelines.”
Darling enters both of the public school-related study committees ready to use her knowledge of the issues and cooperative spirit to help affect positive change. In part, because they are chaired by state Senator Luther Olsen and state Representative Leah Vukmir, Darling feels both committees will most certainly result in quality, informative hearings and substantive recommendations.
All three task forces are expected to meet periodically, beginning in September.
