Newspaper Legislation 

I am extremely pleased that the Wisconsin State Assembly passed my bill this week that will benefit the Washington Island Observer and other newspapers across the state. 

Under current state law, a newspaper is defined – with certain exceptions – as a publication that is printed at regular intervals and at least once per week, containing, on average, 25 percent news content per issue. A newspaper must meet that definition and the printing requirement to be considered eligible to receive payments for publishing legal notices.

Because Washington Island is only accessible by ferry and has a large number of seasonal residents and visitors who leave during the winter, the Observer only publishes about once per month during that time. However, it meets all the other criteria for being defined as an official state newspaper.

AB 112 recognizes the Washington Island Observer’s hardships and incorporates the print news outlet into the state definition of a newspaper, thereby helping them promote government transparency by ensuring the community has easier and more regular access to legal notices.

During these difficult times when local newspapers are continually folding or downsizing to stay financially viable, my bill gives the Observer the opportunity to increase its revenue while also providing its readers with additional services to help keep them better informed.

AB 112 also embraces newer technological advancements by allowing all newspapers in Wisconsin to send out affidavits related to legal notices in either hard copy or electronic form. Under current state law, these affidavits must include a printed copy of the legal notice clipped from the newspaper and must specify the date of each insertion and the paper in which it was published.

Now that the technology is readily available, I do not believe we should be forcing newspapers to do something that is, by and large, more costly and time-consuming. I am proud that my bill gives newspapers the ability to choose whichever option works best for them.

The Senate version of the bill, SB 147, must be passed by the full Senate before the governor can sign the legislation into law.

Assembly Floor Session

In addition to my Washington Island Observer legislation, the Wisconsin State Assembly also passed several other bills this week during our floor session.

One of the most notable ones, AB 496, authorizes volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians to receive refundable tax credits for equipment purchases and for education-related activities and travel.

I signed on as a co-author of this legislation because I believe it's important to address our state's diminishing number of volunteer firefighters and EMTs. Back in 2016, a Legislative Council Study Committee on Volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician Shortages looked closely at the causes of this shrinking workforce and recommended a number of bills the following year. Part of the idea for AB 496 came from that study committee.

We must act quickly to recruit and retain more volunteer emergency responders because of how much we rely on them to keep us safe. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 92 percent of Wisconsin’s 763 registered fire departments are staffed mostly by volunteers. 

Although AB 496 is not a magic wand that will fix all our problems, I am confident that rewarding the people who risk their lives to protect our communities is a significant first step.

In other action this week, the state Assembly also passed bills that do the following:

• Allow the immediate family members of law enforcement and EMTs killed in the line of duty to keep their health insurance coverage.
  
  
• Provide students with the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College systems with more classes that are guaranteed to transfer between those schools. It also streamlines the transfer credit process.
  
  
• Release $1.5 million in harbor assistance grant funding to the City of Green Bay for the purpose of relocating a 40-acre coal storage operation located in the heart of downtown.

 To view the complete agenda for this week's floor session, please click here. If you are interested in watching the proceedings in full, please click on this link.

I am pictured with Al Tlachac, center; his wife, Donna Tlachac, left; and their grandson, Hunter Tlachac

First Responder of the Year 

It was an incredible honor to recognize Al Tlachac as the First Responder of the Year for the 1^st Assembly District during this week’s floor session.

As a member of the Luxemburg Community Fire Department and Luxemburg Rescue Squad, Al has served his community with selfless dedication for more than 45 years and can always be counted on to help anyone in their times of need.

I was amazed to learn how far above and beyond Al goes to ensure he is prepared for any scenario that he faces. Al is a regular at monthly meetings and special training events, inspiring others to go the extra mile to protect the Luxemburg area. 

An immeasurable number of lives have been influenced by Al’s commitment to serve those in his community. Al has responded to more than 10,000 fire and EMS calls in his career, admirably assisting our friends, family and neighbors in times of crisis and distress.

It is crucial that we commend and thank Al, as well as all our other first responders, in any way that we can. They risk their lives for us and help us during life’s most critical moments.

Because of those sacrifices, the Wisconsin State Assembly established a program this year where a first responder in each of the state's 99 Assembly districts is presented with a First Responder of the Year award. While I received many worthy nominations from across the district, I decided to select Al because of his longevity and all of the impressive things he has been able to accomplish over his long and illustrious career.

I was truly honored to present this award because I know the impact first responders have on our communities. They are always there in times of peril and put their lives on the line to ensure our safety. Each day we should be grateful for the men and women who continually rise up to keep us and our neighborhoods safe.

Upcoming District Events

What: Fall Color Day
Where: Liberty Grove Historical Society Museum Site, 11871 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay, WI
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: "The Liberty Grove Historical Society Museum provides the backdrop of Grand View for fall photo opportunities. Come and wander the beautiful grounds, and be sure to remember your camera. The museum will be open. Free and open to the public."

What: Pumpkin Patch Festival 
Where: Harbor View Park, 7809 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Details: "Carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, silent auction, live music, scarecrow and pumpkin displays, food, refreshments and more. Visit eggharbordoorcounty.org for more information."

What: Baileys Harbor Farmers Market
Where: Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 Cty F, Baileys Harbor, WI
When: Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Details: "Browse locally made & grown products from Door County farmers & artisans featuring everything from produce to handmade clothing. Come hungry and grab lunch or dessert from a food vendor with ready-to-eat items. Rain or shine."