FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: info@DianeOdeen.org  May 12, 2016    

Diane  Odeen  Announces  Education  Listening  Tour  Senate  Candidate  to  Meet  with  Students  &  Parents  Regarding  WI  Education  Concerns    River  Falls,  WI  –  Today,  Diane  Odeen  announced  an  upcoming  tour  of  the  10th  State  Senate  District  to  discuss  the  student  debt  crisis  and  the  impact  of  historic  cuts  to  Wisconsin’s  K-­‐12  and  University  System:      “Our  children’s  future  depends  on  access  to  quality,  affordable  education,”  said  Odeen.  “Unfortunately,  rising  student  debt  and  the  deep  cuts  to  our  Universities  and  K-­‐12  public  schools  have  left  too  many  Wisconsin  students  behind.”      "Our  state  ranks  3rd  in  the  nation  for  the  percentage  of  students  graduating  with  debt  and  nearly  one  million  Wisconsin  residents  currently  owe  $19  billion  in  student  loan  debt,"  added  Odeen,  “Just  across  the  river,  Minnesota  is  providing  real  relief  by  allowing  students  to  refinance  their  loan  debt.  Unfortunately,  Senator  Harsdorf  has  consistently  blocked  similar  debt  relief  while  voting  to  slash  state  aid  for  public  schools  and  universities.  I  look  forward  to  hearing  directly  from  students,  parents,  and  educators  about  the  real  impact  these  policies  are  having.”    After  meeting  this  week  with  students  and  staff  at  UWRF  as  well  as  retired  teachers,  Diane  will  hold  the  following  "drop  in"  listening  sessions:    Monday,  5/16  -­‐  5  to  6  p.m.  -­‐  Hudson,  Hudson  Bagel  Tuesday,  5/17  -­‐  4:30  -­‐  5:30  p.m  -­‐  Menomonie,  Acoustic  Cafe  Wednesday,  5/18  -­‐  3  -­‐  4  p.m  -­‐  Watershed  Cafe,  Osceola    Diane  will  also  be  meeting  with  superintendents  and  education  leaders  across  the  district  to  discuss  the  state  of  public  education.    Diane  Odeen  is  a  Democratic  candidate  for  the  10th  Senate  District  which  includes  parts  of  St.  Croix,  Polk,  Burnett,  Dunn,  and  Pierce  Counties.    Odeen  currently  serves  on  the  River  Falls  City  Council  and  lives  in  River  Falls  with  her  husband  Michael.  To  learn  more,  please  visit  www.DianeOdeen.org    

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