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Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County. |
District Dialogue |
November 20, 2015 |
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Be sure to be safe in the woods, good luck hunters!
For more information about license prices, season dates, or an informational video on electronic deer registration please follow the links below.
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Assembly Republicans Focus on Forestry | |
Thirteen Assembly Republicans
representing districts that cover all corners of the state met in Antigo
on Thursday November 12, for a behind-the-scenes tour of northern
Wisconsin’s logging and forestry industry. The tour was organized by
Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma) and I. We were joined by eleven colleagues,
including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Assistant Majority
Leader Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), Joint Finance Co-Chair John Nygren
(R-Marinette), and Environment and Forestry Chair Jeff Mursau
(R-Crivitz).
Members of the Wisconsin Legislature from across the state before touring Packaging (PCA) in Tomahawk
The tour continued on to Antigo where Kretz Lumber company president
Troy Brown hosted a working-lunch question and answer session followed
by a full plant tour for the group. The representatives had a firsthand
look at the unique lumber handling process that sets apart Kretz maple
woods as the finest in the industry and focused on the critical need for
a consistent timber supply to produce high-quality wood products for
cabinetmakers, furniture, flooring, window and door manufacturers.
Assembly Republicans touring a live logging site in Tomahawk.
I
believe that it was very important that those legislators from other
parts of the state took the time to learn more about Wisconsin’s
northern forestry industry. Today really was what being a representative
is all about. We had the opportunity to showcase the tremendous
potential of Wisconsin’s forests and I think the group really recognized
how important the northern region is to making our state thrive.
To learn more about Wisconsin's Forest Products Industry, click here.
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Rhinelander Family Donates Christmas Tree to Wisconsin State Capitol | |
Thirty years ago, a young Brad Kowieski planted a Balsam Fir from a seed given to him from his teacher. That tree stood the test of time and grew strong for three full decades in his Pine Lake backyard. Now, Brad and his wife Elizabeth are proud to announce that their tree has been selected to be the Wisconsin State Capitol Christmas Tree.
Last weekend I stopped by their home to congratulate the Kowieski's on their tree being chosen to stand in the Capitol's rotunda. It was great to take a picture with the soon-to-be Capitol Christmas Tree.
Photo Credit - (WJFW-TV) Left: Rep. Swearingen and the Kowieski Family. Right: Brad, Elizabeth, Hank and Cody Kowieski with the Capitol Christmas Tree.
The tree arrived in Madison on Wednesday, November 18 and a tree lighting will take place on December 4. I look forward to seeing a part of Rhinelander under the dome.
Photo Credit WISC-TV Christmas Tree Arrives in Madison!
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Alzheimer's and Dementia Taskforce Holds Hearing at Nicolet College |
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On Wednesday, November 18 I welcomed the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia to the Northwoods. Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) serves as the chairman of the task force tasked with traveling the state. The Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia Taskforce has been asked to address the following:
· Improve and promote community-based resources for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and continue to raise individual and community awareness. · Identify ways to improve and sustain in-home care and empower family caregivers. · Determine ways to ensure future quality of care while bending the cost curve of long-term care downward. · In light of the Helen E.F. Supreme Court decision, clarify current law and develop a more comprehensive and workable framework for adult protective services and legal interventions for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Study current research findings to determine if there are ways the state can participate in not just treatment, but prevention and possible cure of Alzheimer’s
I was pleased that the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia held a public hearing in my hometown. Rhinelander, similar to many rural and northern communities, is experiencing increasing numbers of Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses due to Wisconsin’s aging population. I applaud Representative Rohrkaste and the entire committee for traveling the state to find meaningful solutions to an ongoing issue.
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Session Update |
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On Monday, November 23, the Assembly held an extraordinary session focused on two bills that were previously approved by the Assembly. The extraordinary session was needed because of changes made to both proposals within the Senate. Assembly Bill 387 relating to campaign finance passed with a vote 59-0, with all Democratic representatives recusing their vote. Assembly Bill 388 also passed the full Assembly with a 56-37 vote. If you are interested in reviewing the bills below, please follow their respective links.
Assembly Bill 387: relating to campaign finance
Assembly Bill 388: Relating to: reorganizing the Government Accountability Board, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making appropriations.
Government Accountability Board (GAB) Reform: AB 388 ends the Government Accountability Board and splits it into two separate commissions. The Elections Commission will be responsible for overseeing election administration, and the Ethics Commission will handle campaign finance and lobbying. Each commission will be made up of six members. Both commissions will have four members appointed by legislative leadership of both parties. For the Elections Commission, the final two members must be former county or municipal clerks. These clerks will be chosen by the Governor, from a list of three submitted by each party’s leadership. The Governor must pick one Republican and one Democrat. The final two members of the Ethics Commission will be retired judges, but appointed in the same way as clerks. Commission members will serve 5 year terms. Each commission will have an administrator who will serve a four year term. Administrators and commissioners may be reappointed with Senate confirmation. The commissions may only begin investigations after the filing of a sworn complaint. Employees or commissioners may not file a complaint. The commissions are authorized to spend up to $25,000 on any investigation. If the commissions determine that more money is needed, they may apply to the Joint Finance Committee. They must provide a summary of the investigation and the reason for the increase in appropriations, while stripping identifying information and party affiliation. The DOA Secretary will appropriate additional funds if approved.
Campaign Finance:
AB 387 is a long over-due rewrite of Wisconsin’s campaign
finance statute, Chapter 11. The bill responds to court decisions,
protecting the First Amendment free speech rights, and giving clear
guidance to regulated actors.
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Tourism Discussion with Local Resort Owners | |
On Friday, November 13, I organized and attended a meeting with Speaker Robin Vos (R - Burlington), Rep. Joel Kitchens (R- Sturgeon Bay), Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (R - Plymouth) and Kim and Kari Zambon, owners of Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander. The intent of the meeting was to gather ideas to promote tourism throughout the state. Kim and Kari are third generation business owners and their family has over 60 years experience in the tourism and hospitality business. It was great to highlight the successes of Northwoods tourism to the Speaker, as well as brainstorm ideas to make Wisconsin more of a destination for tourists.
Speaker Vos and legislators meeting with the Kim and Kari Zambon. |
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Assembly Bill to Restore Funding for the Florence Wild Rivers Interpretive Center Receives Hearing |
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On Tuesday, November 17, Assembly Bill 422 was given a public hearing in the Assembly Committee on the Environment and Forestry. Assembly Bill 422 was drafted at the request of community leaders and residents of Florence, WI. Our office was contacted by a number of elected officials and concerned citizens in Florence County in regards to the loss in funding.
Click here to watch testimony from the public hearing. |
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Assembly Bill 421 Voted out of Committee |
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Assembly Bill 421 was drafted at the request of a local lake association to promote fish habitat on Wisconsin lakes and waterways. The goal of this legislation is to improve fish and wildlife habitat on all Wisconsin waterways by removing civil liability from property owners placing certain structures in navigable waters and wetlands.
On Tuesday, Assembly Bill 421 was support in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage with a 10-5 vote. |
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DNR Outdoor Report | |
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
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Upcoming Community Events |
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Please click the following links for upcoming community events! “Art in the Library” exhibit: November 20 - December 4, Boulder Junction 31st Annual Crafts by Jack Frost and Company: November 20-22, Minocqua The Waters Holiday Market: November 20-21, Minocqua Winter Art Exhibitions Open!: November 20-21 & 26-28, Rhinelander Trig's Floral & Home Open House: November 20-22, Minocqua Minocqua Winter Farmers Market: November 20, 27 & December 4, Minocqua Long Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary Pasty & Bake Sale: November 20, Long Lake Mary Poppins (Broadway Musical): November 21-22, Rhinelander Indoor Farmers Market At The YMCA: November 21 & 28, Rhinelander Hunters Italian Feast/Hunter's Mass: November 21, Woodruff Annual Christmas Bazaar: November 21, Rhinelander 32nd Annual "Show & Sell" Craft Show: November 21, Rhinelander Community Thanksgiving Dinner: November 26, Woodruff Family Night: November 26, Eagle River Holiday Model Train Show: November 27-28, Minocqua A Christmas Carol: November 27-29, Minocqua 21st Annual Festival of Lights: November 27, Three Lakes Friends of the Boulder Junction Public Library Cookie Walk: November 27, Boulder Junction 27th Annual Christmas Walk: November 27, Boulder Junction 22nd Annual Boulder Junction Lioness Christmas Craft Fair: November 27, Boulder Junction Santa Weekend Santa Comes to Town: November 27, Land O' Lakes A Christmas Carol: November 27, Land O' Lakes Santa Weekend Reindeer Rendezvous: November 28, Land O' Lakes Santa Weekend Christmas Craft Sale: November 28, Land O' Lakes Santa Weekend Breakfast with Santa: November 28, Land O' Lakes Small Business Saturday: November 28, Boulder Junction Christmas Walk Kids Day: November 28, Boulder Junction 27th Annual Christmas Gift and Craft Fair: November 28, Minocqua Christmas in Minocqua: November 28, Minocqua Holiday Kickoff & Parade: November 28, St. Germain Jingle & Mingle to Celebrate Small Business Saturday: November 28, Three Lakes Holiday Window Walk and Tree Lighting: November 28, Rhinelander 27th Annual Dr Kate Hospice Tree Of Love: December 1, Woodruff The Nicolet Players Present: A Christmas Carol: December 3, Rhinelander Holiday Cake Auction: December 4, Three Lakes Santa’s Christmas for the Town: December 4, Manitowish Waters Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting: December 4, Manitowish Waters Christmas in Florence: December 5, Florence Holiday Open House & Art Bazaar: December 5, Land O' Lakes |
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Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates |
Office of Representative Rob Swearingen Room 123 West PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708 Office: 608-266-7141 Toll Free: 888-534-0034 |