Spring is here...

The proof is in the photo

Smoke-Free Air Bill Becomes a LAW!

It's official...

The smoke-free air bill is now a LAW! A big thanks goes to the Wisconsin State Legislature, Gov. Jim Doyle and the thousands of colleagues around WI that made this possible! I

Smoke-Free WI

Last night the WI state legislature passed the smoke-free WI bill! It was a HUGE day for me and my colleagues that have been fighting this battle for years. I think Gov. Doyle said it best in his official statement that he released today.

“I have worked throughout my career in public life to help prevent Wisconsin children from starting to smoke and help motivate adults in our state to quit smoking. Today, Wisconsin is taking an important step to save lives and protect our kids and citizens from the scourge of tobacco.

“I wish the ban would be implemented sooner, but I am proud the state is embracing the healthy direction the world is going. Making Wisconsin smoke free will save money in health care costs, improve public health across the state and save lives.”

Now I'm counting the days until the day of implementation, 7.5.10!

Texture

Found in a parking ramp...

Hidden in the Ceiling

Can you see what I see hidden in the ceiling at the Memorial Union Theater?

Fighting for FACT

Months of preparation and training are finally paying off as FACT groups across the state are mobilizing and testifying in support of three huge tobacco prevention initiatives in WI (increase in the cigarette tax, smoke-free WI and continued funding for the tobacco prevention and control program). The youth are testifying at a series of 6 Joint Finance Committee hearings that are taking place across the state. The Joint Finance Committee is taking public testimony on the Governor's proposed state budget.

Milwaukee played host to today's hearing as 27 FACT youth were in attendance. 8 of the 27 gave spoken testimony while the remaining submitted written testimony. Below are some photos of the youth that made a difference today!

The youth even made the paper: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/41838372.html

The entire group outside of the Tommy Thompson Youth Center in West Allis

Youth from Milwaukee testifying

The Joint Finance Committee

I won't stop...

until it's finally warm for good around here.