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Contents

May 10, 2019

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I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read through my newsletter. Each week, I'll include information to keep you up-to-date with what's happening in Madison.

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Expanding Medicaid

 As expected, the Joint Finance Committee voted yesterday to remove from the state budget Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to expand Medicaid, along with his non-fiscal proposals and tax increases. 

I am not on the committee and I did not vote on this, but I can assure you that discussions on healthcare will continue within the Capitol and that compromise is possible. In the end, I want to ensure that all Wisconsinites have access to high-quality healthcare while also avoiding the problems that other states that accepted the expansion are experiencing. 

This issue is far more complicated than is frequently portrayed. I am including a memo that hopefully explains some of the problems inherent in accepting full Medicaid expansion.

To read that memo, please click here.

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Tourism Update

I am excited to share with you a report released this week by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism that outlines the economic impact tourism has on our state.

 Tourism plays a vital role in the 1st Assembly District, partly because we are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the state. We are also blessed to have many local leaders who see the value in tourism and have brought forward innovative ideas to attract more guests to our region.

According to the Department of Tourism's annual report, Door County experienced $366.6 million in direct visitor spending in 2018, a 2.26 percent increase from the previous year. What's most impressive is that the $366.6 million in direct spending is the seventh highest county total in the entire state. 

Tourism in Door County also produced $38.8 million in local and state taxes, supported 3,237 jobs and generated $81.2 million in total labor income.

In Kewaunee County, the tourism industry brought in $23.5 million in director visitor spending in 2018, which is a 17.65 percent increase from the prior year's total of $20 million.

Tourism in Kewaunee County also provided $2.6 million in local and state taxes, supported 356 jobs and created $5.7 million in total labor income.

 Because tourism plays such an integral part of our district's economy, I have always been committed to finding solutions that help make our communities thrive and encourage visitors to see what we have to offer.

This session, I am working on bills and budget motions that would establish a creative economy development initiative grant program, authorize the City of Sturgeon Bay to implement a 0.5 percent premier resort area tax, and give municipalities more tools to be able to collect the correct amount of room taxes from short-term rentals and lodging marketplaces.

Because our state parks and public lands are also an important part of our region's tourism industry, I have submitted a budget motion that would reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for another 10 years. I have also signed on as the lead co-author of a bill that allows the DNR to commit up to $5.2 million in authorized but unobligated Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funding to complete critical safety-related infrastructure projects in our high-demand state parks.

 
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Happy Mother's Day
Please click on the picture above to view my Mother's Day message.

Upcoming District Events!

What: LEGO Kids’ Club
Where: Sturgeon Bay Library, 107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 
When: Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Details: "Kids (K-4th grade) are welcome to build creations with thousands of LEGOs. Many of the creations will be on display all month in the children's area of the library. Free."

What: Mother’s Day Celebration
Where: Newport State Park, 475 County Hwy NP, Ellison Bay, WI 
When: Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. 
Details: "Join us for a morning with your mother, whether here or in spirit. All are welcome at this free event. Activities include a presentation on spring ephemerals with Charlotte Lukes, refreshments and snacks from Kick Ash LLC, a morning hike, and planting milkweed starters (bring your own empty recycled container). Free. Park vehicle sticker required."

What: Spring Nature Hike
Where: Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 
When: Sunday, May 4, 1 p.m.
Details: "A one-hour gentle ramble will follow the most interesting signs of spring. Take in the wildflowers and look for migrating birds. Meet at the Collins Learning Center."