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Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County. |
District Dialogue |
September 25, 2015 |
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Flags Lowered to Honor Wisconsin Justice Pat Crooks |
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Madison – Governor Scott Walker issued Executive Order #176 today ordering the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff in memory of state Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks, who passed away on Monday.
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Upcoming Listening Sessions in the Northwoods |
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On Monday, September 28, Senator Tiffany and I will be holding listening sessions across the 34th Assembly District. Each of the listening sessions will last approximately one hour. Please try to attend to voice your opinions, concerns, or questions to Senator Tiffany and me at the locations below. I am looking forward to meeting with all of you.
9:30-10:30 a.m. – Florence
5628 Forestry Drive
1:00-2:00 p.m. – Three Lakes
Town of Three Lakes Board Room
4:00-5:00 p.m. – Town of Arbor Vitae |
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Assembly State Affairs and Government Operations Committee Update | |
Over the past two weeks, the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations, which I chair, held two meetings. On September 16, a public hearing was held to discuss four pieces of legislation. Discussion centered on Assembly Bill 335, a bipartisan bill which will ensure closed or decommissioned power plants will continue to receive utility aid payments for five years after closing. This five year period will serve as soft landing for local governing bodies as they adjust their budgets after the plant closes.
Assembly Bill 285: Relating to: regulation of columbaria maintained by religious associations.
Assembly Bill 289: Relating to: exempting out-of-state emergency medical services personnel from licensure requirements.
Assembly Bill 297: Relating to: copying, making available, and required notices on, certain vital records.
Assembly Bill 335: Relating to: utility aid payments for decommissioned or closed production plants.
Chairman Swearingen chatting with Rep. Zamarripa; the committee's ranking Democratic member.
On September 23, an executive session and another public hearing was held to consider three additional proposals. The executive session schedule included two bills from the previous public hearing (Assembly Bill 285 and Assembly Bill 289). Both bills received large bipartisan support. The public hearing focused on bills that dealt with minor changes to cider samples and exemptions for retail alcohol beverage licenses. For example, underage persons are permitted inside bowling alleys without parental supervision, even though alcohol is being served. Of course underage persons are not permitted to indulge in drinking alcohol, but because bowling alleys are considered an exemption, underage persons may still enter the business. Two of the bills we heard added indoor golf and baseball facilities, as well as fairgrounds in the city of Chippewa Falls to the list of exemptions.
The final bill we discussed would permit Wisconsin wineries to provide samples of Wisconsin-made ciders to patrons, similar to wine samples.
Assembly Bill 315: Relating to: the presence of underage persons on premises operating under a retail alcohol beverage license.
Assembly Bill 324: Relating to: modifying an exception to the prohibition against underage persons being present on premises operating under an alcohol beverage license issued to a specified licensee in Chippewa Falls.
Assembly Bill 331: Relating to: taste samples of fermented apple cider provided by a winery.
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Governor Walker Addresses Caucus | |
On Thursday, September 23, Governor Walker addressed our caucus to discuss potential reforms for the remainder of this session. His discussion focused on reforming Wisconsin's civil service system. The primary objective of this proposal is to help the state of Wisconsin, as an employer, remain competitive in its ability to compete and retain the best and brightest in today’s workforce. There has yet to be any legislation introduced to address these reforms, I look forward to the future debate.
Rep. Swearingen with Governor Scott Walker.
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Northwoods Rail Transit Commission Meeting | |
Today I attended the September Northwoods Rail Transit Commission meeting at Nicolet Technical College in Rhinelander. Prior to this meeting, my office invited a number of northern Wisconsin legislators to attend to meet with the group. I was pleased that Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma), Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora), Rep. Jeff Mursau (R- Crivitz) and Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) were able to attend.
Back Row: Rep. Rob Swearingen and Wendy Gehlhoff. Front Row: Rep. Mary Czaja and Rep. James Edming.
The discussion focused on the reduction of rail service and loss of track throughout Northern Wisconsin. Rail preservation is vital to the Northwoods economy to assist in the movement of raw forest products as well as other manufactured goods. Retaining rail throughout the state will alleviate strain on our local, county, and state highways. I appreciated the great discussion today.
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Fall Color Report Returns | |
September 4, 2015
MADISON, Wis.– Wisconsin's 16 million acres of forests will soon transform from bright green to vibrant seasonal hues, and travelers can use the Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report to find the best fall color and plan their getaway. With more than 25,000 views so far, the award-winning report has seen a steady increase in website traffic since July, nearly two months earlier than last year's Fall Color Report. The report, which officially launched today on TravelWisconsin.com, offers an interactive map with links to nearby events, lodging and dining; local travel tips, such as scenic drives and seasonal activities; and the ability to share, tag and rate photos.
FALL COLOR REPORT FACTS
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DNR Outdoor Report | |
Northern Region
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New Wisconsin State Blue Books Are Available |
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The new Wisconsin State Blue Books have been delivered to my office in Madison. The Blue Book includes information about Wisconsin state government, including profiles of the current members of the legislature, district maps, demographics as well as information on both the Executive Branch and State Supreme Court.
Please provide your name, home address, and phone number when you request your Blue Book. |
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Upcoming Community Events |
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Please click the following links for upcoming community events! Beef-A-Rama 2015: September 25-26, Minocqua 2015 Fishing Hot Spots Hodag Musky Challenge: September 25-27, Rhinelander Trig's Flea Market: September 25 & October 1-2, Rhinelander Minocqua Farmers Market: September 25, Minocqua Northwoods Model Railroad Club Annual Train Show & Swap Meet: September 26-27, Minocqua Rhinelander Farmers Market: September 26 & October 3, Rhinelander 12th Annual Rump Roast Run: September 26, Minocqua Prime Choice Craft Show: September 26, Minocqua Land O' Lakes Colorama Dinner: September 26 & 27, Land O' Lakes Colorama Breakfast & Craft Show: September 27, Sayner Wild Game and Natural Foods Cook-Off!: September 27, Presque Isle Florence Market Days: September 29, Florence Parrish Highlanders ATV Club Fall Ride: October 1-3, Pelican Lake Three Lakes Winery Cranberry Marsh & Winery Tours: October 1-4, Three Lakes 1st Annual Lakeland Area Kiwanis Walleye Tournament: October 2-3, Vilas County Area Lakes 35th Annual Midwest Musky Classic: October 2-4, Phelps 36th Annual Cranberry Fest: October 3-4, Eagle River Greater Wisconsin Muskie Tournament: October 3-4, St. Germain Harvest Hoedown: October 3, Rhinelander 14th Annual Friends of the Boulder Junction Public Library Wine and Beer Tasting: October 3, Boulder Junction Woodruff Fire Dept/Pig Roast & Gun Raffle: October 3, Woodruff Cran-A-Rama Craft Show and More!: October 3, Manitowish Waters The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: October 6, Rhinelander Northwoods Art Tour: October 9-11, Northwoods Communities Annual Harvest Festival: October 10, Boulder Junction |
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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 |