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La Follette Announces His Bid for Re—Election
Madison, WI –Secretary of State Doug La Follette announced today that he is running for re-election as Wisconsin’s
Secretary of State. “Having independent, elected voices in government who can speak up for the people is critical to our
democracy and today I am renewing my commitment to helping the people of Wisconsin,” La Follette said.
La Follette said that during the past several of years he has:
* Taken steps to guarantee preservation of important, historic public records in a stable, accessible format.
* Created an office website to provide quick and easy access to frequently requested forms, information and links.
* Redesigned the Office of the Secretary of State’s phone system to provide a personal and efficient response.
* Improved service to the public by implementing modern office and computer systems designed to improve service to the public.
As Chair of the Wisconsin Public Lands Board, La Follette works to protect Wisconsin’s resources for our children’s
future by managing the people’s land using sustainable forestry practices.
“This is an important part of the responsibilities of the Sec. of State and a part of the job that I enjoy very much.
Working with an excellent staff, the Land Commission produces millions of dollars each year that fund the public school libraries
of Wisconsin,” La Follette stressed. “Protecting our state’s marvelous environment is very important for our
children’s future and our tourist industry.”
Sec. La Follette noted that he plans to continue to help Wisconsin citizens fight to protect our state’s environment.
“It is time that everyone realizes that devastation and destruction of the environment most often is not reversible.”
He stressed, “The damage we do today will be around for generations to come.”
Doug holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and was a Professor of chemistry and environmental science at the University of
Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha. He served in the State Senate before being elected Secretary of State.
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$34 Million in Loans Approved for 23 Different Municipalities
MADISON
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With credit markets tightening the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands is setting new records when it comes to assisting Wisconsin
municipalities in financing crucial public works, public safety and educational initiatives.
The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, as administrator of the State Trust Fund Loan Program, approved $34 million in loans
to 23 Wisconsin municipalities at today’s meeting. The loans will provide financing for projects such as: purchasing land for a future
school addition, purchasing a new fire rescue truck, rebuilding sewage lift stations, and promoting economic development within a TIF
district.
“In the past 30 days the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has approved over $72 million in loans to Wisconsin Communities,”
said Board Chair Secretary of State Douglas La Follette. “That amount has set an agency record, and exceeds the total dollars loaned
for the prior 12 months.”
So far this year, including actions approved today, the BCPL has approved 209 loans totaling $208,207,581. That’s a significant
increase over the number of loans authorized in fiscal year 2007 (113 loans totaling just over $72 million).
The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands’ State Trust Fund Loan Program is experiencing an all time high in loan applications
due to the tight credit market. The current credit crisis has left many municipalities with nowhere else to turn for their borrowing
needs.
“As Wisconsin municipalities find they cannot get financing from banks or the frozen bond market, they are discovering that the
State Trust Fund Loan Program is a great source of financing,” said State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. “We are a reliable lender
that is easy to work with, offers reasonable rates of interest and has money to lend.”
Over the past five years, Wisconsin citizens have benefited from nearly $600 million in Trust Fund loans to support Wisconsin’s
public infrastructure. The loans can be made to municipalities and school districts for any public purpose.
“The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands is proud to support public safety, community and school projects that are the backbone
of our communities,” said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
Created in 1848 by the Wisconsin Constitution, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands was established to accept federal land
grants and to manage trust funds for the benefit of public education in Wisconsin. The majority of Trust Fund assets are held in the
Common School Fund, from which most State Trust Fund loans are issued. “Our cost of operations is very low so more than 95% of the
interest collected on Trust Fund Loans is distributed as aid to the Common School Fund’s beneficiaries, K-12 public school libraries.
This aid is critical to many students and schools. For many schools, this is their only source of library aid.
That’s why we like to think of ourselves as the state—wide lender that pays local dividends,” says Tia Nelson, Executive Secretary
of the Board.
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Paid for by La Follette Campaign Fund
R. Wahlers, Treasurer
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