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Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Florence and Forest County. |
District Dialogue |
March 26, 2015 |
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Assembly Republicans Support SeniorCare |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2015 Contact: Rep. John Nygren (888) 534-0089
“Now that budget season is in full swing, my colleagues in the Legislature and I have been hearing many Wisconsinites’ opinions about the governor’s proposed plan. While the budget includes provisions concerning a vast array of issues, time and time again constituents continue to bring the proposed changes to the SeniorCare program to lawmakers’ attention.
“Recently, I received letters from several of my colleagues in the Assembly urging the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to reconsider the proposed changes to SeniorCare. Like me, these legislators have heard from their constituents about the importance of preserving this program.
“SeniorCare is unique to our state, and we are fortunate to have this Wisconsin-based prescription drug program for our seniors. It allows enrollees to purchase supplemental prescription coverage to help with medications that may not be covered by Medicare.
“This program has been beneficial for Wisconsin seniors since its inception in 2001. Today, there are over 80,000 people enrolled in the program. After hearing from my colleagues and many SeniorCare enrollees, it’s clear that this program is working.
“I look forward to continuing the conversation about taking a stand for SeniorCare as we move forward with the state budget process.”
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DNR Decision on Walleye Bag Limits |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Sen. Tiffany: 608-266-2509
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Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Fund Public School Libraries |
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WISCONSIN DELLS – Wisconsin’s K-12 public school
libraries will receive $35.5 million, thanks to record earnings from the
Common School Fund, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL)
announced today. Board Chair Brad D. Schimel, Attorney General, and
Commissioner Doug La Follette, Secretary of State, presented Kurt
Kiefer, Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a
ceremonial check at the Wisconsin Educational & Media Technology
Association’s (WEMTA) annual conference at the Kalahari Resort in the
Wisconsin Dells. Commissioner Matt Adamczyk, State Treasurer, was
unable to attend.
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Secretary of State Doug La Follette (center) and Attorney General Brad D. Schimel (right) present $35.5 million in Common School Fund earnings to Assistant State Superintendent Kurt Kiefer (left), Department of Public Instruction. |
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Building Commission Update |
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On Tuesday, March 24, the full Building Commission met to approve the state's Capital Budget for the 2015-17 biennium. As chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee, I focused on renovations and repairs to UW-System projects. The agenda included renovations to classrooms and utilities to all UW-System campuses. Additionally, campuses such as UW-Madison and UW-Green Bay had projects approved to renovate and build new fitness and athletic facilities for their students. Other projects focused on renovations and repairs to current residence halls and classroom buildings. For example, UW- LaCrosse, UW- Stout, and UW-Stevens Point were in dire need of renovations to student living facilities.
The approved Capital Budget included zero new bonding and was the smallest Capital budget in 12 years, and the second smallest in over 20 years. Although the budget was tight, the Building Commission was able to approve 23 of the 33 projects that were discussed. The projects were largely funded by Program Revenue Supported Borrowing (PRSB), which is generated from Room and Board fees, food concession revenue, etc. The Governor along with the Building Commission was committed to repairing and renovating the UW-System buildings before constructing new infrastructure.
In addition to approving UW-System upgrades and projects, the Building Commission also approved projects for state building across Wisconsin. These projects included but were not limited to a new fire suppression unit in the Department of Administration (DOA) building, upgraded nursing facilities at the King Veteran's Home, and a Forest Health Protection Laboratory for the Department of Natural Resources.
All approved projects received bi-partisan support, and will now be messaged to the Joint Committee on Finance to be debated.
Members of the Building Commission in the Governor's Conference Room. |
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JFC Public Hearing in Reedsburg | |
This afternoon I attended the Joint Finance Committee public hearing in Reedsburg. It was a privilege to sit with my colleagues and listen to the passionate testimony from residents around the state.
This was the last of four hearings that took place in March. In the coming weeks, legislators will make motions to alter provisions to the Governor's proposed budget. The Joint Finance Committee will reconvene in Madison to begin voting on portions of the budget through out April. After weeks of debate and discussion the Wisconsin legislature will pass a balanced budget.
To keep informed on the budget process, be sure to visit WisEye.org to follow executive sessions. I appreciate all who attended the hearings around the state to voice your opinions and concerns to the Joint Finance Committee and members of the legislature.
Members of the Joint Finance Committee and legislatures at the Reedsburg Public Hearing |
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GO BADGERS! | |
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Upcoming Community Events | |
Please click the following links for upcoming community events! The Dead Pigeons: March 28, Minocqua Ice Golf Tourney: March 28, Rhinelander Easter Bunny Sunday: March 29, Eagle River Music Garden at Head Start: March 30, Rhinelander Library - Spring Break Special – Popcorn & a Movie: March 31, Rhinelander Lakeland Art League - Open Painting & Critique: April 1, Woodruff Coffee and Company: April 1, Rhinelander VFW BINGO: April 1, Rhinelander Library: Spring Break Special – Spring Fling Celebration: April 1, Rhinelander Brown Bag Series - Mysterious Wetlands of the Northwoods: April 1, Manitowish Waters UW Alumni/Science On Tap/The Great Lakes: April 1, Minocqua Date with Dad: April 1, Eagle River Eagle River Farmers' Market - Winter: April 1, Eagle River Trig's Riverwalk Centre Blood Drives: April 1, Rhinelander Northwoods Children's Museum: Date with Dad: April 2, Eagle River Parent Tot Time / Story Time: April 2, Rhinelander Monday Night Fitness: April 6, Minocqua Growing Fruit in the Northwoods: April 6, Rhinelander "The Artist's Muse 2015: April 7, Woodruff Glayso Soccer Sign Up: April 7, Arbor Vitae Minocqua Police Department Citzens Academy: April 7, Minocqua Art Critique: April 8, Arbor Vitae Eagle River Farmers' Market - Winter: April 8, Eagle River Member Art Exhibit: April 9, Minocqua Special Needs Night: April 9, Eagle River Spring Rummage & Bake Sale/United Methodist Church of the Pines: April 10, Minocqua GymTime: April 10, Minocqua Spring Cleaning Book Sale: April 10, Minocqua YMCA Family Night: April 10, Rhinelander |
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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 |