Friday, April 25th, 2014 @ 6:24PM

On 4/25/2014, The Herald-Independent wrote:

State Representative Robb Kahl has announced that he is seeking re-election as the State Representative for the 47th Assembly District.

“When I was first elected in November of 2012, the mandate given by voters was to put people and good public policy first,” Kahl said. “On every issue that has come before the Assembly, whether it be jobs and the economy, public education, campaign finance reform, open government, redistricting reform, women’s rights – I have adhered to this mandate. The feedback I have received from residents of the district and locally elected officials about the job I have done has been exceptionally positive and tells me running for re-election is the right thing to do.”

Rep. Kahl was successful in having a large number of bills become law. These bills include:

Assembly Bill 726, makes it clear, under state law, the cannabidiol, a derivative of the marijuana plant, is not THC and a schedule 1 drug if a physician dispenses it or provides a letter authorizing use for the treatment of a seizure disorder. In addition, it provides that cannabidiol may be possessed for treatment of a seizure disorder if dispensed by a physician or if the physician provides a letter stating the individual possesses it to treat a seizure disorder. It will also require the Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board to work with physicians to obtain the necessary investigational drug permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once FDA approval is granted, the Controlled Substances Board would then be able to designate pharmacies and physicians who could dispense the medication and allow it to be transported to Wisconsin in accordance with federal law. Rep. Kahl joined Rep. Scott Krug (R) in authoring the bill.

Assembly Bill 729 will provide more opportunity for grant funding and local economic development by better defining the criteria to be met to conduct classified research. UW-Madison was losing out on the ability to compete for significant grants due to a lack of a clear, consistent policy. The University of Wisconsin – Madison is one of the premier higher educational institutions in the world and it will now be better able to conduct classified research that serves our national interests and creates greater potential for economic development opportunity in Wisconsin. Rep. Kahl joined Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R) in authoring the bill.

Assembly Bill 769 corrects a problem with current law that resulted in the City of Madison being the only municipality in the state that was prohibited from financing the costs of parking facilities using TIF. AB 769 frees up valuable property for real estate development by correcting an unintended consequence of changes to TIF law made decades ago. One project now possible due to the passage of this bill could will create 1,200 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs. Rep. Kahl joined Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R) in authoring the bill.

Assembly Bill 803 will better ensure that drug prevention and testing measures that the utility industry has in place are standard practice throughout Wisconsin and also protects utility  workers under the provisions of Wisconsin’s move-over-slow-down law. Wisconsin utilities consider worker and public safety to be a top priority especially when projects are undertaken within the public right-of-way. They hire and contract with highly skilled professionals who are able to undertake a variety of tasks – frequently high risk tasks – and get those jobs done without endangering themselves or members of the public. This bill will better protect workers and members of the public who come into close proximity of these projects. Rep. Kahl joined

Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R) in authoring the bill.

Senate Bill 668 enables the Department of Corrections to issue Special Bulletin Notices when high risk offenders are placed in our communities under the terms of an interstate compact.

Corrections issues these notices when high risk offenders are released from a Wisconsin Correctional facility, but there was no requirement that these notices be done for offenders in Wisconsin under the terms of a compact. By making the system more uniform, we will better enable law enforcement to take appropriate steps to protect their communities and address concerns. Rep. Kahl joined with Rep. Mary Williams (R) in authoring the bill.

Kahl said much work remains to be done.

“In recent weeks we have, unfortunately, seen a number of legislators from both sides of the aisle retire who welcomed the opportunity to work with members of either party,” he said. “In this next session, I am going to continue to put people and good public policy first and forge relationships with new and returning members who are willing to put partisan politics aside and work together to serve the people of Wisconsin.”

To read the article online, click here.

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