Budget Motions

 Now that agency briefings and regional public hearings on Gov. Tony Evers' proposed state budget have concluded, the Joint Finance Committee will start holding executive sessions next week to consider budget motions for the 2019-21 spending plan.

This is the point where the state Legislature gets to provide its input on the biennial budget. For the past two weeks, the Joint Finance Committee has been accepting budget motions from members of the Assembly and Senate to help shape the spending priorities in the upcoming budget.  

Last session, the Joint Finance Committee decided to strip all non-fiscal policy proposals from former Gov. Scott Walker’s state budget, and they have taken the same approach this year with Gov. Evers’ plan. However, I would like to point out that even when non-fiscal items are pulled from the budget, it doesn’t mean they are dead. Those proposals can still end up going through the normal legislative process where they can be properly vetted in public hearings and debates.

I have always been a proponent of keeping all non-fiscal items out of the state budget, which is why I will only be introducing budget motions that require the spending of taxpayer dollars. It is common practice for lawmakers to bring forward their legislative proposals as both bills and budget motions to improve the chances they are signed into law.

As I mentioned in my e-update last week, I have already submitted a budget motion that will reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for an additional 10 years. I am also in the process of turning in two others that will establish a creative economy development initiative grant program and authorize the City of Sturgeon Bay to implement a 0.5 percent premier resort area tax within city limits.

Furthermore, I am working on several education-related budget motions that implement some of the final recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding.

Once the Joint Finance Committee is done voting on which motions will make it into the budget, the entire spending plan will be presented to the full Legislature for approval. If it passes both houses, the budget goes back to the governor, who has been granted some of the strongest line-item veto authority in the country. Once the governor makes his vetoes and signs the budget, the document becomes law.

If you have any ideas for budget motions that you would like me to consider submitting to the Joint Finance Committee, please contact my office.

New Online DNR Program

I wanted to make all of you aware of a new program being introduced by the Department of Natural Resources that allows you to track management activities on state lands while you're on your computer or smart phone.

The online tool of the Annual Property Implementation Plans now provides you with the opportunity to identify forestry and habitat work, infrastructure improvements and the development of recreational initiatives on specific DNR properties.

DNR parcels are governed by master plans that are developed with significant feedback from the public. One of the downsides is these plans cover longer periods of time – up to 15 years in some instances – and do not describe annual activities.

That all changes with the Annual Property Implementation Plans, which have been developed by the forester, wildlife biologist, park administrator or ecologist who is assigned to manage each property. Each individual plan identifies the major planned and scheduled work for that piece of land for the next two or three years, including restoration projects, timber sales, tree plantings, prescribed burns and invasive species control.

Larger and more complicated parcels have expanded implementation plans that highlight recreational development, more detailed forest and habitat work and such infrastructure improvements as trails, buildings, roads or expanded parking.

The Annual Property Implementation Plans do not list routine maintenance or minor actions like mowing, building maintenance or field surveys.

I encourage you to check out this impressive program by clicking here.

If you would like to read some local coverage on a bipartisan bill I'm co-authoring that would offer free state park passes to Wisconsin fourth graders and their families, please click here. 

Highway 42 Construction Meeting

My office has been informed that the Department of Transportation will be hosting a meeting on Monday to provide an update on the Highway 42 construction project between Gibraltar and Sister Bay.

The informational meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the gymnasium at Gibraltar Middle School in Fish Creek.

Please consider attending this meeting if you will be impacted by the construction work. Officials from the DOT will be there to discuss staging, traffic impacts, detour routes, business signing and communications.

According to the DOT, the project will include the following improvements:

• The milling and resurfacing of asphalt pavement
• Adding sidewalk in Gibraltar to improve pedestrian access to the school and YMCA
• Culvert and storm sewer upgrades
• Enhancing lighting and curb ramps
• Installing a turn lane and sidewalk along Shore Road
• Relocating the storm sewer outfall at Fish Creek Beach

Work will begin this fall with an expected completion date in the spring of 2020. DOT officials say the highway will be partially constructed under a closed roadway with detour routes for work in Fish Creek. Highway 42 will be fully open without traffic impacts between the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.

If you are interested in learning more about the project, please click here.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Sturgeon Bay Rotary Shipyard Tours
Where: Throughout Sturgeon Bay
When: Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: "See the inner workings of Bay Shipbuilding and Centerpointe Yacht Service during a guided walking tour. The USCG cutter Mobile Bay will be open for free guided tours. Proceeds benefit Door County Rotary Youth Interact. $12/adult. $6/student age 11-17. Free/age 10 & under."

What: Spring Wildflower Hike
Where: Newport State Park, 475 Cty Hwy NP, Ellison Bay, WI
When: Saturday, May 4, 1 p.m.
Details: "Take to the woods with the park naturalist to learn all about spring wildflowers. Identification tips, facts and folklore will be discussed along the way. Meet at Lot 1. Free. Park vehicle sticker required."

What: Lakehaven Garden & Outdoor Living Show
Where: Lakehaven Hall, 96 Ellis St., Kewaunee, WI, 54216
When: Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: "Welcome spring at the 4th Annual Lakehaven Garden and Outdoor Living Show in Kewaunee! Shop vendors, check out displays, enter raffles, enjoy food and drinks. There's sure to be something for everyone to spruce up your yard for spring and summer. Rain or shine, this event is held indoors and it's FREE admission! Proceeds to benefit Lakehaven Hall."