Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Ratcliff

09/29/2026

I had a great conversation with advocates from Root 2 Rise about the meaningful work they’re doing to help young people build leadership skills, confidence, and strong connections with one another.

Root 2 Rise pairs high school students with younger students, giving high schoolers valuable leadership and mentoring experience while providing younger students with an additional caring and consistent role model.

I’m excited to see their program expanding this fall to DeForest, Madison West, and Madison La Follette High Schools, with up to 15 Tutor-Mentors at each school. I also appreciate the growing partnership with MMSD and the organization’s commitment to collecting data and evaluating the program’s impact.

Programs that strengthen student engagement, belonging, leadership, and positive relationships can make a real difference in our communities. I’m grateful to the Root 2 Rise team for sharing their vision and for inviting policymakers into the conversation about how we can support this important work.

Thank you for all you’re doing to help our young people grow, lead, and rise together! 🌱

09/28/2026

It was great to join Marshall Public Schools for their Safe & Secure School Entrances Open House! 🏫💙

These improvements are about more than bricks and mortar they’re about creating safe, welcoming spaces where students can learn, educators can teach, and families can feel confident sending their children to school each day.

Marshall voters approved the district’s April 1, 2025 capital referendum, which provided funding for district-wide safe and secure school entrance improvements and other critical facility upgrades.

I appreciated the opportunity to see the improvements firsthand, hear from school leaders, and learn more about the work happening to strengthen safety across the district.

Thank you to Marshall Public Schools, staff, families, and community members for investing in the future of your students and schools. Our kids deserve nothing less! 💙📚

09/27/2026

💙 Supporting Mental Health & Our Communities 💙

This month, I was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with NAMI Wisconsin to help assemble Crisis Safety Response Kits for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

These kits are part of a larger statewide effort to make sure people have access to helpful resources and support when they need it most. Every kit assembled is another way we can let someone know that they are not alone.

This important work would not be possible without the incredible volunteers, supporters, and community partners who continue to show up and make a difference.

NAMI Wisconsin has added two new volunteer opportunities, and I encourage you to consider joining on:
📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 4:30–6:30 PM

📅 Wednesday, October 14
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

If you have a couple of hours to give, please consider volunteering and being part of this important effort to support our neighbors across Wisconsin.
👉 Sign up to volunteer: https://namiwisconsin.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Together, we can help build communities where people experiencing a crisis know that support is available.

09/26/2026

Representative Udell and I enjoyed attending Coffee with the Mayor in Stoughton!

This free, monthly event is held on every second Monday of the month at 10:00 am at the Stoughton Area Senior Center. Residents can ask Mayor Tim Swadley questions, share ideas, and learn about current city initiatives.

Sounds interesting? Make sure you stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and join in the discussion of the latest local news.

09/25/2026

I was pleased to attend the Customers First Coalition’s 2026 Power Breakfast: Affordability and the Customer Experience.

The event brought together leaders for an important conversation about energy affordability and how we can better connect customers with the resources available to them.

A special highlight was hearing from Dr. Destenie Nock, whose groundbreaking research focuses on understanding and addressing the needs of customers who may be unaware of programs that can help with home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, and financial assistance.

Thank you to the Customers First Coalition for bringing leaders together to discuss ways to improve affordability, access, and the customer experience for Wisconsin families.

09/25/2026

Are you thinking about rooftop solar?

Grow Solar is a regional group buy program that helps homeowners and farmers install solar at a lower cost. Through the power of bulk-buying, the more participants who join, the better the pricing becomes.

REGIONS: Central Wisconsin, Green Bay/Fox Valley, Door County, Milwaukee, and Waukesha areas.

To learn more about these group buys work please visit www.growsolar.org or contact Corey Ziemann with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association at: [email protected]
*Photo Credit: Grow Solar

Deadline to guarantee group buy pricing: September 30, 2026!

09/24/2026

I joined Dane County staff and Village of Cottage Grove representatives for a discussion about the Glacial Drumlin–Capital City Trail Connector. 🚲🌳

The meeting provided an overview of the upcoming Phase I construction, including the project’s scope and current status. We also discussed the remaining gap in the trail connection and explored potential opportunities, contacts, and resources at the state and local level that could help advance the remaining work.

Investments in safe, connected trails strengthen our communities, expand transportation options, and create opportunities for people to walk, bike, and enjoy the outdoors. I look forward to continuing to work with local and county partners to help move this important connection forward.

For more information about the plans and exhibits, please visit: https://www.danecountyparks.com/parksproject/detail/Glacial-Drumlin-to-Capital-City-Connector-Trail

09/24/2026

🚌 School Bus Safety Starts With All of Us! 🚌

As students head back to school, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is reminding drivers to slow down, pay attention, and stop when school buses are loading or unloading students.

🚨 When a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, STOP. Never pass a stopped school bus.

A few extra seconds of patience can make all the difference in protecting a child.
Let’s do our part to keep students, bus drivers, crossing guards, and everyone on our roads safe this school year. Put down the phone, watch for buses, and drive with care. 💙

Thank you to the DCSO and our school bus drivers for helping keep our kids safe!

DCSO School Bus Safety Initiative Priority:• Safety of our child...

09/23/2026

It was great to join the Dane County Farm Bureau Legislative and Regulatory Luncheon and the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Focus on Agriculture event! 🌾

I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from local farmers and agricultural leaders about the issues impacting Wisconsin agriculture and our rural communities.
These conversations are an important part of understanding the challenges facing our farmers and finding ways to support a strong, sustainable agricultural economy.

Thank you to the Dane County Farm Bureau and Jefferson County Farm Bureau for bringing legislators and agricultural leaders together for a thoughtful discussion!

09/22/2026

🏠 Need help with your heating or electric bills? WHEAP may be able to help.

As we head into another Wisconsin heating season, I want to make sure families across the 16th Senate District know about the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).

WHEAP provides assistance to eligible Wisconsin households with heating and electric costs. The program includes regular energy assistance as well as crisis assistance for households facing an immediate energy emergency.

If you’re struggling to keep up with your energy bills, please don’t wait to see if you qualify. Assistance is based on household income and size, and applying is an important first step.

📅 The 2025–2026 program year runs through September 30, 2026.

💡 WHEAP benefits are not guaranteed and are available only while program funds remain, so eligible households are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know need help paying their energy bills, you can apply for energy assistance online at: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/. For more information, please call:​ 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947).

No one should have to choose between keeping their home warm and meeting other basic needs.