Herb Kohl: Many Accomplishments Over Many Years

By Adri Viswanatha

Sen. Herb Kohl has done incredible things since his election to the United States Senate in 1988, despite tough competition and trying times. Through his dedication to the people of Wisconsin, young and old, from every walk of life, he has given back to the state at every turn and at every opportunity.

Through his many notable accomplishments, Sen. Kohl has fought for the rights of children, students, farmers, workers, seniors and countless other Wisconsin citizens, always working to ensure their continued well-being for many years to come.

As our legislator, Sen. Kohl has improved the lives of so many of our citizens and his great work will carry into Wisconsin’s future. Through the years, Herb Kohl has truly remained “nobody’s senator but ours.”

Here’s a short list of the senator’s accomplishments:

• In 2009, Sen. Kohl authored legislation to expand school breakfast and child nutrition programs in schools to improve the health of Wisconsin’s children
• He sponsored child support enforcement legislation in 2006, ensuring more payments go to the families that need them
• The Milwaukee senator sponsored the Childcare Infrastructure Act in 2001, encouraging private institutions and businesses to provide day care centers for their employeesSen. Kohl has always fought for Wisconsin’s farmers and in 2002, helped establish the Milk Income Loss Contract in his Farm Bill, to give money back to farmers threatened by regional pricing policies
• Sen. Kohl provided Wisconsin’s industry and manufacturers with funding through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program in 2011, providing support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers
• He helped to fund initiatives like Boys & Girls Clubs and Families and Schools Together programs in 2010 to help curb youth crime and provide opportunities for troubled youth across the state to turn their lives around
• In an effort to combat crime, Sen. Kohl secured $7.9 million in 2003 for the Wisconsin Methamphetamines Law Enforcement Initiative to reduce drug-related crimes
• With that same funding, Sen. Kohl enabled the creation of the Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, aiding law enforcement in fast and effective responses to drug-related crimes
• Increasing the safety of the state’s children, in 2004 he passed legislation to require child safety locks on handguns with the goal of reducing the numbers of children and teens involved in shootings
• As Chairman of Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Kohl has worked tirelessly for the older population of Wisconsin, ensuring their safety and rights
• In 2009, he fought to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for seniors as well as increasing their access to cheaper generic drugs
• He passed a law in 2010 improving nursing home care, including broad background checks for all workers in all nursing homes to ensure the health and safety of seniors
• In 2009-10, Sen. Kohl increased retirement security for seniors by improving their pension options and Social Security, as well as providing work opportunities to those who want or need them
• Also in 2009, he authored legislation to keep cheaper generic drug options available and prevent drug companies from taking advantage of the market
• Sen. Kohl has fought for the students of Wisconsin since his first term, creating an incentive-based award program in 1990 for high school graduates, teachers and schools across the state to keep the quality of education high and provide opportunities for the state’s students

Adri Viswanatha is a Communications intern with the State Party and a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a focus on International Studies