The Goyke Report


February 24, 2016
 
 Contact Me  

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

PH: (608) 266-0645
TF: (888) 534-0018
FAX: (608) 282-3618

E-Mail: Rep.Goyke@legis.wi.gov
On the Web: goyke.assembly.wi.gov 

In the District

Rep. Goyke with constituents and supporters speaking in opposition to the spending and plan for the expansion of the I-94 East-West corridor

Notice of Final Environmental Impact Statement
I-94 East-West Corridor, 70th Street to 16th Street
Milwaukee County

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the I-94 East-West Corridor located in Milwaukee County. The Final EIS describes the preferred alternative and reasons for its identification. It also reports the results of the December 4 and 5, 2014 public hearing and public and agency comments on the Draft EIS.

The Final EIS may be found online here.

According to WisDOT - The alternative presented in the Final EIS has the following elements:

* A modernized freeway with safety improvements including right-hand entrances and exits and an additional lane in each direction.

* Rebuilt interchanges at 68th Street/70th Street, a half interchange at Hawley Road, a reconfigured Stadium Interchange and rebuilt interchanges at 35th Street and 26th Street/28th Street/St. Paul Avenue. The Mitchell Boulevard exit and entrance will be eliminated. A new local exit at 44th Street will be part of the redesigned Stadium Interchange

I encourage you to review this plan and submit comments to WisDOT. Comments on the Final EIS must be received or postmarked by April 15, 2016. Comments may be mailed to Jason Lynch, WisDOT 141 N.W. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53187 or emailed to Jason.Lynch@dot.wi.gov.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact my office or call Jason Lynch at (414) 750-1803

Welcome A New Business To The 18th!

(Photo courtesy or urbanmilwaukee)

My congrats and welcome to Mr. Dye's Pies on the recent opening of their retail store on North Avenue in Washington Heights! I look forward to coming by soon and taking a pie home for my family to enjoy.

At the Capitol

Rep. Goyke speaking on the Assembly floor during one of the final days of session

The legislature's floor period for 2016 has come to an end, with additional floor days always being a possibility. Thank you to all of our community members who have written, e-mailed, and called to share their thoughts and opinions. Your engagement is important and helps me better represent our community.

 

Rep. Goyke with representatives from the Near West side Partners following their testimony in support of legislation introduced by Rep. Goyke

I was proud to recently join with my colleagues in requesting a Legislative Council Study Committee on veteran's mental health issues. It is our solemn duty to ensure that the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform receive the support they need to transition back to civilian life. As a member of the Assembly Veterans Committee I am fully committed to this issue and encourage you to view a copy of the request here.

 

        Rep. Goyke visiting with his fellow legislative colleagues Rep. Jim Ott and Rep. Cody Horlacher

Employment Resource

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has a Skill Explorer website that provides a free job search tool allowing Wisconsin workers to search for employment opportunities that match their existing skills and training. Skill Explorer can be found by clicking here.

Workers can search for career opportunities on the Skill Explorer website by typing in their former or current job title. Skill Explorer provides a list of current openings relating to the work experience of that job through openings on Job Center of Wisconsin. Skill Explorer provides overviews explaining what each specific job entails, how much workers typically make in that position, and any special training or background needed for the occupation. Skill Explorer’s mapping function will show hot spots in the state for particular occupations, as well as allow individuals to search for current openings by county.

 
 


Friends and Neighbors,

 

Winter is almost over and Spring is upon us! I look forward to Spring cleanup on my block in the Historic Concordia Neighborhood, walking our family dog Pistachio in the warmer weather, and spending time outside.

 

Since my last update there have been many developments here at the Capitol. I am proud to report that two important pieces of legislation I introduced have passed the legislature, the comprehensive criminal justice reform package I told you about in December is circulating with my colleagues for support, and my "Promoting Our Great City" initiative continues locally and statewide.

 

Included in this update are some important local updates. I continue to add more news and daily updates to my official legislative website and Facebook page. I hope it helps keep you informed.

 

I hope this e-update is helpful. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-0645.


I welcome any feedback or ideas you may have. As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.


 
Evan Goyke
State Representative
18th Assembly District
 

 

 Rep. Goyke testifying before the Assembly Judiciary Committee with Senator Alberta Darling in support of Rep. Goyke's Tobacco Store Accountability legislation recently passed by the legislature

Legislation I Passed

Tobacco Store Accountability:

Because of a loophole in Wisconsin law, our local government cannot hold tobacco store owners to a fair standard of operation. In our community there are many examples of problem properties that have been magnets for crime and deterred economic development. Assembly Bill 628 extends local control over the revocation, suspension, or non-renewal of retail licenses to sell tobacco. Current law requires a tobacco retailer to obtain a license from the municipality where they operate their business, yet fails to extend the power to revoke, suspend, or not-renew that license - this is the loophole in Wisconsin law. This is not the case for alcohol retailers.

I am proud to report that last week the State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 628. The bill will result in tobacco retailers being treated similar to alcohol retailers and require owners to uphold a fair community standard and safety on their property. Once the bill is signed by the Governor, our community will have additional tools to promote economic development, root out problem properties, and further reduce crime.

Promoting Veteran-Owned Businesses:

Wisconsin has a strong tradition of its citizens serving our nation in uniform and returning home to be leaders in their respective communities. Many of these Wisconsin veterans are now business owners and play an integral role in the economic success of our state.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), certifies qualified veteran and disabled-veteran owned businesses. Unlike at the federal level, Wisconsin does not provide these certified businesses with tools to market themselves as veteran-owned businesses. Assembly Bill 707/Senate Bill 575 requires WDVA to design an official “Wisconsin Veteran−Owned” and “Wisconsin Disabled Veteran−Owned” logotype for use by businesses owned by Wisconsin veterans.

Providing certified Wisconsin veteran-owned and Wisconsin disabled veteran-owned businesses with an official logotype will help business owners to further promote themselves throughout Wisconsin and in their respective communities. They would also be more accessible and identifiable to consumers who wish to support veteran-owned businesses.

This important piece of legislation is pro-veteran, pro-business, and pro-consumer. It is supported by WDVA, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and County Veteran Service Officer Association.

Last week the legislature unanimously passed Assembly Bill 707/Senate Bill 575 and it now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Legislation Recently Introduced

Criminal Justice Reform Package:

A movement is underway in America. Decades of high incarceration rates have not led to the increased safety we believed would follow. Change is sweeping through several states and the federal government with bi-partisan support.

To bring Wisconsin up to speed I am in the process of introducing nearly 30 bills to provide a road map for reform needed in Wisconsin. These bills range from small changes in legal processes to structural changes on how the justice system operates. These bills are currently circulating with my legislative colleagues for support.

I recently authored an op-ed regarding this package that summarizes the legislative package and why I feel reform is needed. A copy of the op-ed may be viewed here.
 

Rep. Goyke testifying in support of his pro veteran-owned business legislation recently passed by the legislature

Promoting Our Great City

In my last update to you, I told you about the initiative I have taken as Chair of the Milwaukee Delegation to promote our great city. Over the past year, I have worked to put together stories and examples of positive change in Milwaukee. I’ve worked with my colleagues from Milwaukee to share our vision of and commitment to our great city, while also promoting our legislative priorities. We are committed to reframing how we talk about our community and how it is viewed throughout Wisconsin.

Please view publication here.

Milwaukee’s future is bright - we are the economic engine of Wisconsin. I’ve created this publication to highlight all of Milwaukee’s successes, and areas we still need to improve upon. It is irresponsible of us, as legislators, to turn a blind eye to the fact that on any given day 82% of our students who walk through the schoolhouse door qualify for reduced or free lunch.

As elected officials we realize our vision for Milwaukee requires more than the State Government’s commitment – it takes our own. Together, as legislators and neighbors in Milwaukee, we can be a part of positive change by rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. We commit to making a difference. We challenge and encourage our neighbors and our community to join us in this task.

Throughout the past month I have held gatherings at my house to introduce community stakeholders to this publication and will continue to do so locally and throughout the State. I welcome you to view it by clicking on the link above and hope you will be as excited about it as I am.
 

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