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Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County. |
District Dialogue |
September 2, 2015 |
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Wisconsin Revenue Numbers Increase |
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Good news this week from the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal
Bureau (LFB) and the Department of Revenue. The state of Wisconsin
took in $71.4 million more during the 2014-15 fiscal year than the
Legislative
Fiscal Bureau had projected in January. LFB Director Bob Lang said
the "preliminary collection numbers for the fiscal year are in line with
what the agency projected in May." The LFB declined to revise estimates
for the 2015-17 biennium, noting any bump in 2014-15 could be offset by
the economic uncertainty over the next two years. The Department of Revenue reported preliminary general fund tax collections of $14.54 billion in 2014-15, an increase of 4.3% over the previous year. Income and insurance taxes came in below the LFB's January estimates. But that was more than made up by bumps in corporate, excise, cigarette, sales and other taxes. Final general fund tax collections for 2014-15, along with departmental revenues and expenditures, will be available in mid-October when the annual fiscal report is released. The original LFB memo on the numbers said part of the additional revenue from 2014-15 would go to the budget stabilization fund. But the Legislative Fiscal Bureau put out a follow-up memo noting the tax cut package lawmakers approved in early 2014 included a provision suspending transfers to the budget stabilization fund for the rest of the 2013-15 biennium. |
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Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch Tours Northwood's Businesses |
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On Friday, August 28, I invited Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch along with four Economic Development Corporations (Oneida, Vilas, Forest and Florence counties) to the 34th Assembly District to tour the Vilas County Business incubators and a logging operation in Three Lakes. The morning started in Eagle River, as we toured both business incubators. We visited with three occupants at the incubators that are continuing to grow their businesses.
We started our tour meeting with Chris Gaffron, who started the local embroidery business Stitch It. Chris has been working within the Vilas County Business Incubator for several years. During her time working with Vilas County, her business has grown enough to allow her to purchase more sewing equipment to expand her production. Her business continues to grow and she hopes to hire additional employees in the future.
At the second tour, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and I met with local entrepreneur Brad Zdroik, who owns and operates Deep Freeze Ice Fishing. Deep Freeze Ice Fishing has introduced products to enhance the ice fishing experience for anglers. Brad Zdroik invented the one shot skimmer (pictured below) which cleans a fresh cut ice fishing hole in one scoop. In addition, Brad introduced a product called "Blue Tipz" that alerts an ice fisherman via text message, when there is a fish on their tip-up. Deep Freeze products are available in major department stores in Wisconsin such as Cabela's.
Brad Zdroik, inventor of the One Shot Skimmer, showing off his Wisconsin-made product.
Another start-up business owner is Jack Chopin, the President of E-Z Eat Enterprises LLC and creator of the E-Z Eat. Jack suffers from a disability that hinders his ability to grasp, hold, or squeeze anything with his hands. This has made him very dependent on his wife Diana Chopin to help him do simple tasks, such as eating meals or buttoning a shirt.
After years of being dependent on Diana, Jack and his brother-in-law Ron Smith began to manufacture eating devices for physically challenged individuals. This invention holds the food in place so Jack can eat without the assistance of his wife. After a number of prototypes, Jack and Ron have created a product that will assist those suffering from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, amputated limbs, or other disabilities from relying on others to eat. Jack and Ron are in high hopes that the E-Z Eat will be utilized in hospitals and assisted living centers to provide independence for those with disabilities.
To learn more about E-Z Eats, please visit their website.
Members of the VCEDC along with local entrepreneurs, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. Swearingen.
After the Vilas County Business Incubator tours, the Lieutenant Governor and I traveled to Three Lakes for a logging operation. Local logger and owner of Enterprise Forest Services, Denny Schoeneck, led us through the logging operation. Along with discussing sustainable forest harvesting, Denny's crew illustrated the modern logging equipment that is used throughout Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. I would like to thank Denny for the opportunity for allowing us to witness such a vital Northwoods industry.
Local Forester Denny Schoeneck with Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. Swearingen.
Pictured above: Enterprise Forest Products employees, local EDC executive directors, Lt. Governor Kleefisch, Denny Schoeneck and Rep. Swearingen.
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Lake George Association Meeting | |
On Thursday, August 27, I was invited by the president of the Lake George Association to address their group. I wanted to brief the members on a proposal that my office has been working to promote fish habitat on Wisconsin lakes and waterways. The goal of this legislation is to provide an incentive to improve the habitat for fish and wildlife on all Wisconsin waterways. Over the past month, I have met personally with constituents, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and riparian owners about the benefits of course woody habitats that provide shelter, mating and feeding habitats for fish.
Under current law, to place a fish crib or various other woody habitats into a lake, the property owner must follow all DNR permits to meet all of the appropriate specifications. I have been contacted by the Lake George association and others indicating liability is deterring them from taking advantage of these DNR offered programs. My proposal will keep the rules and regulations in place for all permit holders, while removing liability if and when the required specifications are met. This proposal will continue to protect our environment through DNR permits and specifications while boosting fish habitats statewide.
Rep. Swearingen addressing the lake association in the Town of Pelican.
Got a chance to catch up with longtime friend Mark Kafka, Kafka's Resort.
Cal Ewert and Rep. Swearingen after the meeting. |
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ORV Trail Opening in Vilas County | |
Last week I attended the ribbon cutting for an Off Road Vehicle (ORV) trail that now extends from Land O' Lakes due north into the Upper Peninsula. I celebrated the trail opening with a large crowd of off-road enthusiasts, along with the Land O' Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (MI-TRALE). The trail, now known as the "LL Trail" will allow Wisconsin and Michigan riders to share the trails from the Ottawa National Forest down to Land O' Lakes, WI.
Ribbon Cutting in Land O' Lakes!
Excited ORV enthusiasts after the ribbon cutting.
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DNR Outdoor Report |
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Northern Region
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Upcoming Community Events |
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Please click the following links for upcoming community events! St. Germain Flea Market: September 7, St. Germain Funky Junk N'More "Fall is Coming " Sale: September 3, 4 & 5, Three Lakes Trig's Flea Market: September 3, 4, 10 & 11, Rhinelander 3rd Annual Hamburger Fly-in Drive-in: September 3, Manitowish Waters Minocqua Farmers Market: September 4 & 11, Minocqua Friday Farmers and Flea Market: September 4 & 11, Presque Isle PotatoFest: September 5 & 6, Rhinelander Rhinelander Farmers Market: September 5 & 12, Rhinelander 24th Annual Nicolet Wheel-A-Way Bike Ride: September 5, Three Lakes Polish Bear Plunge: September 5, Eagle River Land O' Lakes Fat Tire Bike Ride: September 5, Land O' Lakes The New Holiday Lodge Musky Tournament: September 5 & 6, Phelps 11th Annual Pride and Joy Classic Car Show: September 5, Minocqua Minocqua/Kawaguesaga Lakes Protection Association Annual Pig Roast: September 5, Minocqua Chain Skimmers Last Show of the Season: September 5, Conover Phelps Farmer's Market: September 5, Phelps Northwoods Bad-Dash: September 5, Manitowish Waters Potato Fest 2015 "WXPR Potato PolkaFest": September 6, Rhinelander Sno-SkeetersSummer Fest: September 6, Manitowish Waters Free Fishing Seminars: September 6, Boulder Junction Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show: September 6, Eagle River Tommy O's Playhouse - Medieval Faire: September 10, Hazelhurst 39th Annual World Championship Musky Classic: September 11-12, Manitowish Waters Lake Tomahawk Lioness Harvest Fest & Lions Car Show: September 19, Lake Tomahawk |
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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 |