In politics, the issues that generate the most headlines and clicks are the big, contentious items we work on. While we spend a lot of time addressing the cost of living, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, and fixing our roads, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to work on very specific legislation that has an immediate, local impact.

I have worked hard to ensure our local communities and voices are well represented in the State Senate. Whether it's through the budget process or through separate, standalone legislation. I am proud of what I have accomplished for Southern Wisconsin.

When a bureaucratic mistake threatened funding for the Oregon Area Fire and EMS District, I worked in a bipartisan fashion with the Village of Oregon, the surrounding towns, and legislators to pass legislation to secure the funding to fix it. At the request of local area veterans, I authored successful legislation to add highway signs on U.S. Highway 151 for the Mt. Horeb Veterans Memorial.

I also authored legislation to add the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial to the State Highway Map. Unfortunately, while this bill passed the Senate, it did not pass in the Assembly. I plan to reintroduce this bill next session.

In the most recent state budget, we allocated funding to make repairs to portions of the Badger State Trail, including the Stewart Tunnel. This popular recreational trail runs from Madison to the Illinois border. The budget also included funding for the Village of Oregon to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to handle increased demand from Oakhill Correctional Facility and provided funding to build a new Juvenile Correctional Facility just outside the Village of Oregon.

We also increased funding for the Environmental Improvement Fund, a revolving loan program that helps municipalities upgrade or expand access to clean water. Communities such as Hollandale, New Glarus, and Oregon have already used this program to ensure clean drinking water.

Finally, we made investments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) to renovate Science Hall, expand two dining halls, and begin planning for the relocation of the Mosse Humanities Building.

I am proud to represent the 17th Senate District in the State Senate and advocate for the unique needs of our local communities. While the big issues generate the most attention, some of the most meaningful legislation I work on directly supports our local communities.