End of Session Video

I invite you to take a moment to follow the video link provided below.  In this video, I describe a few accomplishments from my first term as your representative and mention a few of my favorite experiences.

Bayview Bridge

Governor Walker recently approved $3.6 million for the rehabilitation of the Bayview Bridge in Sturgeon Bay.  This is part of our constant effort in Madison to improve our infrastructure and make sure that Wisconsin is always open for business.

Construction began last Tuesday, March 1st, and the bridge will be closed until the 4th of July weekend.  Please, be aware that the traffic detour will go through downtown Sturgeon Bay and commuters should consider heavy traffic for their travel plans.

The following detour will be in place for the duration of the Bayview Bridge project:

• Northbound non-truck traffic will be detoured via S. Madison Ave./Michigan St./N. 3rd Ave./Jefferson St./Egg harbor Rd./ Old Hwy Rd./ and a temporary Egg Harbor Road connector to WIS 42/57. Reverse direction for southbound traffic.
• Truck detour will bypass the downtown area via Michigan Street and 14th Avenue.
• Detour will remain in place through the end of June with traffic on WIS 42/57 open prior to the 4th of July weekend.
• Detour map can be found at http://projects.511wi.gov/bayview/

This project will extend the useful life of the bridge and provide a better ride for motorists.  Rehabilitation of the Bayview Bridge includes:

• Replacing steel beams and the steel grid deck
• Replacing expansion joints and bearing
• Performing concrete repairs to girders, abutments, and parapet.
• Repairing and replacing machinery and electrical component
• Bridges over the exit ramp for northbound Green Bay Road, just east of County S, will receive concrete overlays and minor surface repairs.

If you have any questions about the project, please call my office at (608) 266-5350.

Legislation

Now that the Assembly has concluded floor meetings for this session, I am working to make sure that my bills pass the Senate as well.  The Senate is only scheduled to meet one more time, so I will work up to the last minute to assure that they take these up.  These bills include:

Assembly Bill 664/Senate Bill 591: removes restrictions that make it difficult for Mental Health Service Providers to practice in schools and easier for students to seek help without leaving school or attracting attention during their absence.  This bill allows licensed providers to practice in a school without the requirement to establish a permanent office while ensuring patient security.

Assembly Bill 734/Senate Bill 642: the product of the Future of Education Work Group which I chaired and creates a Career Education and Workforce Development Pilot Program.  There is a large number of highly paid technical jobs available that do not require a four-year degree. At the same time, so many students are graduating from a four-year college with high debt and without a job.  This program will help our students obtain the knowledge and experience necessary to make the right choice for their future.
 

Assembly Bill 174/Senate Bill 131: helps to protect campground owners when campers are injured at no fault of the owners.  Private campground owners will no longer need to battle frivolous cases when the claimant was injured by an “inherent risk of camping”: i.e. swimming, hiking, other outdoor activities, and methods beyond the owner’s control.

Assembly Bill 493/Senate Bill 373: requires states that enforce a residency requirement beyond the common reciprocity requirement to follow their own rules when applying for Wisconsin construction contracts.  Currently, Wisconsin contractors bidding on a project in Michigan need to hire at least 50 percent of their employees from Michigan for certain projects.  This discouraged Wisconsin contractors from competing in Michigan, but now Michigan contractors must follow their own rule when bidding in Wisconsin.

Assembly Bill 519/Senate Bill 581: raises the income limit for individuals serving as emergency responders and local elected officials.  The limit will be raised from $15,000 to $25,000 and will only affect communities with a population no greater than 5,000.

As I look towards the next session, I will be researching possible legislative initiatives.  Most ideas for bills arise from the concerns of constituents.  If you have any ideas for bills you would like to see me bring forward in the future, please contact my office at Rep.Kitchens@legis.wisconsin.gov or call us at (608) 266-5350

Thanks for Visiting

This past week, I was happy to meet with several delegations of constituents in Madison.  On Wednesday, I received visits from the Civil Air Patrol, local members of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, and local representatives of the Realtors Association.  It was also nice to see some young faces from the district on Friday as representatives from high schools in the district attended Wisconsin Youth in Government's (YIG) Model Government Session.  My kids were active in YIG and it really is a great program.  Thanks for stopping by!

Pictured here: Rep. Kitchens with John Slatky of Luxemburg, Tim Treml of Luxemburg, and Jim Lamack of Kewaunee on their Legislative Visit Day for the Wisconsin Bankers Association.

Blue Books Available

If you would like a complimentary copy of the 2015-2016 Wisconsin State Blue Book, please follow the proved link:

          http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/01/kitchens/constituent-services/ 

The 2015-2016 Blue Book is also available online:

          http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/publications/wisconsin-blue-book/

In Closing...

Thank you for taking the time to read over my E-update.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my office.

Representative Joel Kitchens