Senate Committee Votes Today on Tobacco 21
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 17, 2020
From WisPolitics.com …
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee votes today on a bill that would raise the legal smoking age.
AB 364 would raise the legal age for the purchase and possession of cigarettes, vape pens and all nicotine products to 21 from 18.
Its sister bill, AB 422, already passed the Assembly last month by voice vote.
Organizations registered in favor are: Altria Client Services LLC; American Heart Association; American Lung Association, dba American Lung Association in Wisconsin; Ascension Wisconsin; Association of Wisconsin School Administrators; Aurora Health Care Inc; Badger State Sheriffs’ Association; Boys & Girls Clubs of Wisconsin; Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; Community Advocates, Inc.; DCI Group AZ L.L.C.; JUUL Labs, Inc.; March of Dimes; Marshfield Clinic Health System; Medical College of Wisconsin; Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce; Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance; SSM Health; Walgreen Co; Wal-Mart; WiRSA; Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians; Wisconsin Association of Distributors Inc; Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards; Wisconsin Association of School Boards Inc; Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials; Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators; Wisconsin Association of School Nurses; Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators; Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WIAAP); Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association Inc; Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association Inc; Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services; Wisconsin Dental Association; Wisconsin EMS Association; Wisconsin Grocers Association; Wisconsin Medical Society; Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association; Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association (WPHCA); Wisconsin Public Health Association; Wisconsin Retired Educators Association; and Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association.
Meanwhile, Vapor Technology Association, SI Group Client Services, Cigar Association of America Inc. and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are registered in opposition.
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DPI to Waive Hours Requirement
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 17, 2020
From WisPolitics.com …
— The Department of Public Instruction is waiving mandates on the number of educational hours districts must provide students as the state continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic that closed K-12 schools.
The agency said late yesterday districts will still be required to file a waiver, but DPI will work to expedite the process. It’s also asking Gov. Tony Evers to suspend administrative code temporarily so districts can use a simplified form to have their request granted immediately.
DPI is also seeking a waiver from the federal government on mandated tests and plans to ask the guv and Legislature to suspend state testing requirements this spring.
“The DPI is taking action to remove barriers that may be in the way of our schools and students during these trying times,” said Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor.
The agency last week filed a waiver seeking permission from the federal government to continue providing meals to economically disadvantaged families during the school shutdowns. The agency said the waiver was approved.
See more:
https://dpi.wi.gov/news/releases/2020/dpi-updates-guidance-districts-during-covid-19-school-closures
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Rep. Quinn Will Not Seek Reelection
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 16, 2020
From WisPolitics.com …
State Rep. Romaine Quinn has announced he will not seek reelection this fall.
In an interview with DrydenWire.com, the Barron Republican said his decision came after he was approached to take a job locally, a prospect he found attractive as he and his wife try to start a family.
“I want to know I’ll be home when I’m needed the most and I can’t guarantee that when I’m in Madison,” he said.
Quinn, 29, didn’t immediately return messages WisPolitics.com left on his cell phone and with his Capitol office.
The northern Wisconsin seat is solidly Republican with President Trump winning 58.4 percent of the vote there in 2016.
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SAA Members Testify on Tobacco 21
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 12, 2020
The following SAA members testified in support of Senate Bill 364, the so-called Tobacco 21 bill at a public hearing yesterday before the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
Jim Karedes (Delavan-Darien) Testimony
Gregg Wieczorek (Arrowhead) Testimony
Hats off to these High School Principals for taking time out of their busy schedule to advocate on behalf of the students they serve.
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Legal Update: Censorship at the Schoolhouse Gate
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 11, 2020
From the Legal Side…
The Buelow Vetter Law Firm has recently published this Legal Update on Censorship at the Schoolhouse Gate: Dress Code and First Amendment Implications.
The SAA regularly receives these legal updates and we believe this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this update to SAA members with the permission of the Buelow Vetter Law Firm.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update, SAA Legal Side | No Comments »