Wisconsin Senate District 24

Welcome, everyone, to Midday Magazine for this March 20th, 2024.

Have your host, James J. Mailov here.

And we are welcoming on our phone lines here.

Senator Patrick Teston joining us from Wisconsin Senate District 24.

Senator, thank you so much for joining us as always.

Hey, thanks for having me, James.

Appreciate the time.

Before we jump into the business, how have you been?

I'll be the same busy.

It's sort of a kind of a relief.

We just wrapped up our section just this past week.

On Tuesday, we took our likely last four votes for the year.

And now it's sort of changing heads.

So it's going to be taking the policy add-off

and getting back out on the campaign for it.

I'm sure most people are probably aware of the 24 Senate

district looks a little bit different than it did,

even just a few weeks ago.

So I'm actually really looking forward

to going into the new parts of the district,

which now includes a good chunk of Juneau County,

old Jackson County, eastern half of the Monroe County,

portion of the Portage County now.

And so yeah, it's going to be a busy time of year

a different type of busy than what we've

passed for the last year and a half.

And so I'm excited.

Looking forward to talking to you about the campaign

for the 24th district and a little bit.

And you certainly had a lot of great visitors to Madison

lately.

I want to touch on.

But let's start first with some of the bills

that have been passed in Wisconsin State Senate

passed two of your bills during this week's floor sessions.

The first bill, SB 925, the ban of sale of Confederate

and unsafe lighters in Wisconsin.

Can we get into the details of this?

Yeah, so this is legislation.

It's similar to bills that have been run in the past

with trend ban the sale of novelty lighters.

And I know chief minor up in pitch bill

is a huge advocate of that.

And unfortunately, that particular bill

it always sort of skulled for one reason or another.

But we are approached from some stakeholders

this time around on counterfeit left.

They're all prevalent and how big of an issue this is.

But millions upon millions of counterfeit lighters

come into this country just like China and others

that are very unsafe.

They steal company information.

They steal private care information.

And it accounts for billions of dollars of damages

every year from accidental fires and mishaps.

And so I was really happy to see this version of the bill

get passed.

And I think it's going to go a long way

for consumer protection and more importantly,

making sure that we don't have the bad actors

flooding the marketplace.

Something a bill like this, too, sir,

I think it also brings attention to a subject.

Maybe some people don't even realize how much of an issue

it is.

So it has a dual meaning to it.

Oh, a lot of question.

And again, I mean, this is really

a lot of other things that I've been

occurring, even at the federal level,

trying to make sure that for bad actors out there,

and when you see proprietary information

being stolen and intellectual property being stolen,

that's a huge problem because it really

can so seed the doubt within people's minds

of well-established brands and companies

that have been operating here in the US for a number of years.

And so I think it's a win-win.

So I mean, it's a win for American-based companies.

And it's also a win for consumers.

And hopefully, we won't have as many injuries

from these counterfeit lighters that are a huge problem.

The second bill, SB532, it eliminates

a restrictive section of administrative code

that prohibits driver schools from being established

within 1,500 feet of a Department of Transportation Office

that provides driving-scale tests.

Now, this legislation was requested

by a constituent from Toma.

Can you give us a little of the history of that,

and where this started?

So this is one of these head scratchers, James.

Sometimes you wonder, just thing to come along.

Yeah.

I think you can get up perfectly.

There was an old archaic rural, in fact,

in our research of this, trying to find out just where

this came from, why to come up, that basically prohibited

driving schools to be a DMV.

I don't know what the rationale was.

So this particular constituent who owns a driving school

over in Toma approached myself and represented

a Vander Mirror.

And initially, when my staff told me about this,

they just started laughing at me.

That this is an act.

It's real.

And so really just aims to remove an old outdated archaic law

that just serves no real purpose anymore.

Yeah.

Sir, I know that this happened a little while ago,

but we weren't able to have our monthly conversation

a little bit ago.

So I wanted to just touch on a really important one

that I thought was noted here.

And remind everyone that you have plenty of Wisconsin

blue books available at no cost.

And then maybe let people know what the blue books are

and if they'd like a free copy in that.

Yeah, so the blue book is around, well,

I think just for just about ever.

And it's basically your state government guide

of all things Wisconsin related and has a lot of great stats

and figures that shows you who your legislators are.

And there's actually some really new articles

in the blue book.

And every session you get updated

with at the start of the new legislature

with new elected officials.

And I know for some folks that they are collectors

of Idaho and I've stumbled across some old blue books

going back to the 70s and 80s.

And it's just interesting to see it just how often

they've changed over the decades.

And as we reference, these are free to the public.

If anyone wants a blue book, they can contact my office.

And we can certainly mail one to you for your charge.

And just there's a really helpful resource

where it basically gives you a breakdown

of all the state agencies, what they do,

all the various board, the commission we have here

in the state and then as well as all the contact information

for all of your elected officials at the point in the state.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to be bugging you guys for one.

I love those books.

So I'll definitely be bugging you for one, sir.

We are speaking with the State Senator Patrick Testin.

Wisconsin Senate District 24, representative.

Less, I believe it was last month.

You had a bill that improves the existing investment programs

related to startup companies that you signed into law.

It was established in 2015.

The Badger Fund of Funds is a public-private partnership

that functions as a lead investor

in five venture capital funds

administrative by firsthand fund managers

who are located geographically across the state.

What did I just say, sir?

What?

It's a multiple, James.

No, the Badger Fund of Funds,

it's been a very special program.

And this started, it was actually in 2013

when this program was created and to help

with startups and venture capital.

Now, when you take a look at some of our other surroundings,

they have done, they have made much more

significant investment venture capital

and new business startups.

And so Wisconsin sort of always been outlier in that regard.

And so the Badger Fund of Funds,

which was created under the Walker Administration

and the National Investment of $25 million

was dispersed through the state

through this various fund managers.

In fact, there's actually a startup company right here

in Steven's point that basically uses RFID technology

to monitor the growth of tree farms

as they continue to grow and they use drones

to basically scan and update these.

So it's a really innovative concept.

So what we did in this past budget was put in an additional

$25 million worth of investment

into the Badger Fund of Funds

and ran a separate bill to make some modifications to this.

So one thing that we, one of the changes to this

was to allow the fund to evergreen.

So that as the funds expand and grow,

they can reinvest those profits back into the fund

to help other business investments.

We also increase the private dollar match

to receive any public funds from 2 to 1.

And then also have reporting requirements back

to the legislature so we can monitor

the success of these programs.

So if in future budgets and future legislative sessions,

if there's a need to increase or provide more investment

into the Badger Fund of Funds,

that'll be able for the legislature

to make that determination.

And so it's really, really at the root quarter here,

trying to foster new startups here in the state.

And there's a number of great examples,

not just the one I cited and Steven's point,

but my administration's website,

you can see some of the different companies

that have been established in some of them

are really, really incredible.

And you know, who knows?

It could be the next big thing that comes from the state.

So I was really happy to see this get done

and it had broad bipartisan support.

And it was a easy way for the governor to sign.

Something that you and I have touched on as well

as our local mayors, you know,

keeping local talent in state, how do we do that?

This feels like one of those, one of the pieces too,

that it's not a one-fix solution,

we're never gonna come up with one thing to do that,

but this does feel like one of those ways of not only

keeping people here, but keeping their ideas in this state.

Well, exactly, it's definitely a piece of the puzzle.

And, you know, you think about it,

someone could have a really fantastic innovative idea,

but might not necessarily have the means

or the capital themselves.

And so it's programs like these that, you know,

help us expand our economy and help expand our tax base

and also help expand jobs and opportunity here in the state.

And so, you know, I've been a huge proponent of this

and proposals like this,

because I really, really am a huge fan

of public private partnerships

where you're bridging the divide between government

which sometimes can be rather burdensome to work through

and then bridging that gap with the innovation

of the private sector.

And so, to me, it's sort of a perfect marriage

in a sense that, you know, it's a win all the way around

for everyone.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,

Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting applications

for positions on the next Wisconsin Agricultural Youth Council.

The mission of this council is to encourage high school seniors

to engage with state government

and to increase their awareness of debt caps,

interactions with Wisconsin agriculture industry.

Just so people know the deadline for this

is coming up at the end of the month, March 31st.

So this is something that you're pretty passionate about.

Without question, I mean it.

When you take a look at our state

and especially here in central Wisconsin

where we are very heavy-aged dependent

and it is without a question

one of the foundational bed rocks of our economy,

not just in this region, but statewide.

And so, making sure that we're fostering an environment

that creates the future leaders of our egg industry,

I think is critically important.

And so, a prime example, just a couple of weeks ago,

at the Port of County Business Council,

they had their egg appreciation banquet.

And it's so great to see everyone come out

and recognize just the leaders within the community

and then also recognize some of the ethnic common leaders

within areas like our four H programs.

And so, this is just another way for students

to kind of dip their toe into advocacy

and learn in how different agencies work

and how they interact with,

and it's like our farmers here in the state.

And so, it's a great experience.

And if people want to learn more,

they can contact our office

and be more than happy getting touched with them.

We'll give you the information.

How did you that before you wrap up?

Also, recommend the website dadcap.wi.gov.

That's d-a-t-c-p.w-i-dot-gov.

And thank you again for bringing

another attention to this, sir.

Appreciate that.

Anything to help the backbone of our state here

in our ag industry, we're always going to get behind.

Sir, I want to talk to you a little bit

about your campaign for the 24th district.

You touched on this a little bit earlier.

Real quick, though, just,

and this is just between you and I, okay, Pat.

Are you sure you want to run again, man?

I mean, you've seen politics these days, right?

You've seen, no, I'm just kidding.

I am curious, sir, and this is something again

that you and I have touched on for years now.

In your campaign is one of the things

that you are going to try to do is promote getting,

or I should say, getting away from some of the divisiveness

that seems to go on in all of the 49 states in the union,

but we don't deal with it nearly as much in this state.

At least, not so far, haven't.

Yeah, and I apologize, James, you broke a little bit there.

I meant the first part of the question.

I just, I'm just, you know, you've been running,

for the last eight years,

your campaigns have been non-divisive.

Is that something that you will continue to do

and something you believe in?

Well, absolutely.

I mean, I've always tried to focus any kind of my,

in any campaign I've run,

well, there was 2016, 2020 or even my,

if it was kind of governor in 22,

is that while there and talked about us

throughout my respective district and heroes on their mind

and get it to people for what's working, what's not.

And there's no question that in today's environment,

yeah, there's a little bit of a toxicity

with the political arena, but, you know,

I've always tried to rise above the phrase best I can.

I can't say I've got 100% bad and bad in record,

but I don't know anyone who does.

But that's, that's always been the whole

crux of why I ran and how I run.

It is just to go out there and continue to build relationships

and create that dialogue with the folks

I had the privilege to represent them.

I'm going to take that same approach going in the 2024

and, you know, come, come up,

coming up here in the next couple of weeks,

it's going to be out there,

pound and pavement going for a door

and having those one-on-one interactions

that I think are extremely critical and necessary

to have, you know, have an informed idea

of keeping my thumb on also the district.

When it comes to some of the,

you mentioned newer areas or different areas

that you'll be representing this time around,

is that involving different doors to knock on?

How are you going to hear from those constituents

and take care of their needs?

Yeah, no, I mean, it starts today, in fact,

and in fact, after this,

I'll be doing a radio interview with one of my colleagues,

state representative, Tony Kurtz,

who represents the Juno County area.

And he's actually subbing in as a DJ today

and he's having me on to kind of make my first introduction

to the folks over in places like Boston

and New Blisbee and Camp Douglas.

And the approach is still the same.

And whether it's now that I have a whole Jackson County

and different parts of Monroe County

that I didn't have before and even less a forged county

and less a wood county.

And so it's basically everything Wisconsin

or African self and wood county.

I'm gonna go out there and pile the pavement

and make the introduction and make the case

as to why I want to serve and represent these individuals.

And so I'm hopeful and optimistic that it pays off

and we can get back to doing what I like to do best,

which is get down to Madison and put on the policy camp

and do what we can to keep advancing our state

in the right direction.

And we'll give people information

on how they reach out to you before we wrap up, sir.

But I did want to get to the last thing

I really wanted to get to with you

is this train station of a week you have had at the Capitol.

You've had a lot of visitors over the last month.

I want to touch on some of those

and let the audience know about some of these great interactions

you've had like the two people.

You got to sit down with two young people

who have the potential to become future leaders

in this state recently.

Can you tell us about that?

Yeah, this week was a blast

because I joked with my staff.

I said, if you like the entire 24 Senate district

is in the Capitol today.

And so we had a handful of school groups that came down

and I felt bad for the one because I literally,

I was chairing the committee, my committee

and had the hop out and basically just given an impromptu

five minute conversation with them in the middle of the hallway.

But I did have a couple really great stories,

Azuri, who is nominated as one of the youth of the year

for the Boys and Girls Club.

And she came down and she is a member

or at the Bararrag Center here in Stevens Point

and just a tremendous, tremendous young woman

who I think has an extremely bright future

and had a really good conversation with her.

And then even the entire UW system,

they came down for their research symposium

and got to talk with students from UWSP.

And one of them, his name is Henry.

I did a study on financial literacy

and how important that is, especially for younger individuals

in middle school and high school

because the more financial literacy that they have,

the better off they're going to be in the long run

because as numerous studies have cited,

the more educated consumers are,

the better choices they're going to make.

And so, you know, from Henry's research

are basically affirmed what I already strongly believe

that things like Mandate and Financial Literacy

and our classrooms and the public education system

is absolutely a no-brainer.

And so, it was a busy, crazy, hectic week,

but I always absolutely enjoy when constituents come down

and get to see just what a marvel our state capital is.

But more importantly, to hear about the great things

that they're doing back home.

Yeah, you know, whether it is fair or not, sir,

I think we all own that as a society,

but it really is as a veteran in this game.

It is on you and your colleagues

to be a good example to these two young people,

to all these young people,

and really all the young people out there

that are whether we know they're gonna get into politics

or not, we understand that we're all adults.

We understand the world right now

and the way politics have been over the last 10 years.

And if we wanted to get any better,

it's gonna be done by young people.

And they're gonna learn by the examples we set for them.

So, when it comes to people like yourself

or representative Krug or how Congressman Kind

handled things, our local representatives,

our state representatives,

you haven't added thing on your plate

of how you handle yourself with your colleagues

and with people across the aisle.

Do you agree with that?

No, I completely agree.

And, you know, I think anyone who serves the public,

I mean, there is a higher standard in a bar to be set.

And, you know, we try, at least I do,

I can't speak to everyone.

I try to lead by that example.

And again, no one's perfect.

We don't have our moments,

but, you know, I do think it's important

because I think that helps instill more trust

into our system at a time

when trust seems to be an old time well.

And I think if we can start by doing

we can in our own backyards

and lead them by example that way

that it'll have a trickle up effect

rather than what we get bombarded with on the nightly news

or the cable networks of social media

where it's just, you know,

people going at each other left and right.

And I don't think that's proactive.

And while we can have differences of opinion,

you know, it's more important about being able to listen

and being able to agree to disagree

and do so in a manner that is so combative

and being able to, you know, walk away

and or at times circle back

and try and recalibrate

and see what you can get done.

You are also able to meet with some students

from the Wise Academy in Nicosia

and the Central Stance Community High School

in Amherst.

How did that go?

It went great.

We had some really good conversations

of the high school group that came down

and which one it was is escaping me at the moment,

but they asked some really really great questions.

So when we were talking,

I wasn't expecting this from this group,

but it was good.

I mean, we had a pretty frank conversation

in the Senate chamber and gave my rationale

and kind of where my position is on certain issues

and even some of the more hop on issues,

whether we're talking, you know,

abortion or that.

I mean, it was really the very awful questions.

I was actually really impressed by the dialogue

that we shared and I think everyone sort of walk away

with a better understanding of my position and air position

and it was I think a prime example

of how things are supposed to work.

That, you know what, they may not have agreed

with where my stance was on certain things

and I may not have agreed with where they were at,

but you know what, we heard each other out

and I think that's the most important thing.

It's great to hear and it certainly goes a long way

with what we were talking about before.

As we're wrapping up, did you wanna ask,

I know you're on the job series has kept you quite busy,

you got anything coming up?

Yeah, in fact, I believe on Good Friday,

I'm gonna be working with the main society.

I'm pretty sure it's the Portage County

and the main society, but I'll have to double check.

But I'm looking forward to that.

I'm sure my dogs are gonna be extremely jealous

when I get home from that, but, you know,

it's another prime example.

You know, you think about organizations

like the Humane Society, they're always looking for help

and obviously I'm a sucker for dogs

and so hopefully I don't walk away as a third dog.

I don't know if my wife would be too thrilled,

but you never know.

If you don't adopt it, I might.

I'm in the same boat as you, man.

When you talk to our local Humane Society all the time

and every week I'm trying, I have to tell myself

not to adopt the animal that they're bringing yet.

I can relate to that.

Senator, we appreciate the time.

And I got a correct, it's the Southwood County Humane Society.

But you are coming to town, cool.

So you'll be coming to our, that's excellent.

We appreciate, we appreciate all of our Humane

societies throughout the whole state.

They're doing such great vital work in our communities.

Sir, we'll look forward to seeing you in town.

That'll be fun.

If people have follow up questions one of the more

about some of what we talked about today,

how can they reach you?

Yeah, if anyone needs to get a hold of me,

feel free to reach out to my legislative office.

The email is fcn.mylastnametestinatleggs.wi.gov.

You can also give our office a call at 608-266-3123.

Follow us on social media, or if you see me on the

bottom, feel free to hold me aside and have a conversation

with me, I always happy to chat.

Always appreciate the time, sir.

Safe travels out there, we'll talk again real soon.

Thanks James.

Thank you.

Well, the more midday magazine for you on WFHR,

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