February 9, 2018

 

The Boys and Girls Clubs Breakfast

 

 

It was an honor attending the annual Boys and Girls Clubs of Door County Stewardship Breakfast at the Stone Harbor Resort.  I had a wonderful time meeting with all of the amazing volunteers and youth who comprise this essential organization.

During the program, attendees were treated to a spectacular performance by the Youth Choir of the Peninsula Singers and also a glimpse of the Boys and Girls Clubs' upcoming summer programming.

I can't say enough good things about this organization and all the ways that they strive to improve the lives of Door County's youth.  Statistics have shown that children involved in these programs continuously rank higher than the national average in such areas as academics, abstention from drugs and alcohol, and percentage of teens engaged in volunteerism. 


Testifying in the Senate

 

 

I was grateful for the chance to speak on the merits of one of my bills, SB 627, during this week's Senate Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Local Government public hearing.  This common sense bill will give free local newspapers the ability to publish legal notices and act as the paper of record for certain municipalities.

 

For some rural areas in Wisconsin, free local newspapers are the most widely circulated source of news and therefore the only viable option for local municipalities to publish any legal notice.  Due to the requirements of what classifies a newspaper as qualified to receive compensation for publishing legal notices, local newspapers that do not charge a purchase price to their customers are unable to be the paper of record.

 

This bill removes the paid subscription requirement to be eligible to be compensated for legal notices if the newspaper meets all of the news and circulation requirements in the current statute and there is no paid circulation newspaper published in that village, city or town. This is a first step in the process of making our law more reflective of the current newspaper market. 

 

This bill was inspired by one of our local papers, the Peninsula Pulse, and I am excited to see it moving forward in the Senate!

 


Department of Tourism Annual Informational Hearing

One of many breathtaking winter landscapes that attract visitors to Door County!

 

This week, Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett gave a presentation to the Assembly Committee on Tourism, explaining all the great strides that the industry has made in Wisconsin over the course of 2017.  I was delighted to learn all the exciting ways in which Travel Wisconsin has increased visitor rates by implementing innovative advertising strategies.

 

These strategies have led to 2017 boasting the highest-engaging winter social campaign to date, as well as specific Wisconsin recreational attractions, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail being featured in hundreds of high-profile news and entertainment sites such as USA Today, the New York Times, and Interior Design Magazine!

 

With all of the incredible efforts of our tourism department and local industry leaders, I am confident that 2018 will see an even greater influx of visitors to our beautiful state!

 


Full Week of Committee Hearings!

 

 

This week was a very busy week for the committees I sit on! Even as we near the end of session, committee work is in full swing as we hear and vote on some great bills that will improve the lives of Wisconsin citizens.

 

In the Committee on Agriculture, we held a public hearing on bills that will aid farmers by providing grants for tractor rollover protective structures and administering the livestock premises registration program. We also held a public hearing in the Committee on Environment and Forestry and an informational hearing in the Committee on Tourism.

 

In the Committee on Education, we held a vote on my bill regarding the school report card publication date and I’m happy that the bill passed out of committee by a vote of 14-0! We also heard exciting testimony on a bill establishing a pilot grant program to support college courses taught in high school.

 

I appreciate each of my committee assignments, and encourage all of you to watch the hearings on www.wisconsineye.com if you are interested in the subject area.

 


Upcoming District Events!

What: Paczki Fun 5k Run/Walk
Where: North Water Bakery and Deli, 133 N. Water Street, Algoma, WI
When: February 10, 8:00am Registration, 9:30am Race Begins
Details: "It's time to lace up those running shoes for the 3rd Annual Paczki fun 5k Run/Walk that benefits the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County."

What: Winter Farm Market
Where: Bailey's Harbor Town Hall, 2392 Cty F, Bailey's Harbor, WI
When: February 10, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Details: "
Produce, Preserved Foods, Bakery Selection, Massage, Hand Crafted Clothing, Arts & Crafts - The coffee pot is on - socializing is welcome and encouraged!"

What: Chili Dump
Where: Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 Cty F, Baileys Harbor, WI
When: February 11, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Details: "Stop in and try chili from all over the county and vote for your favorite! $10/tasters, at the door."


In Closing...

Thank you for taking the time to read my E-Update. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my office. Joe and Stamena look forward to working with you. Also, if you would like a State of Wisconsin 2017-2018 Blue Book or 2017 State Highway map free of charge, just send us an email!

                                Have a great weekend,                   

             Representative Joel Kitchens

 

 

      

As always, if you have any comments or thoughts regarding the subject of this
E-Update, please feel free to contact me.

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State Capitol Room 10 West - PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-5350
Email: Rep.Kitchens@legis.wi.gov