The state Assembly was on the floor yesterday and voted with bipartisan support to pass August 2017 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 as part of a special session that Governor Walker called for in early August. As I highlighted in my previous update, the special session bill includes an incentives package necessary for Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwan-based manufacturing company, to build a plant in southeastern Wisconsin.
Foxconn specializes in the design, manufacturing and assembly of global computer and high-tech consumer electronics products. The company is well known as the assembler of iPhones. Foxconn has chosen Wisconsin to build a high-tech manufacturing and technology campus to build Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). This will be the first LCD facility of any kind in North America and will manufacture LCD screens that will be used in everything from self-driving cars to aircraft systems and in the fields of education, health care, and safety and surveillance.
Under this legislation, Foxconn will only receive the amount of incentives proportioned to the amount of jobs they create in Wisconsin. Because the incentive agreements are contingent upon actual performance, Foxconn can only earn the maximum amount of incentives if they fulfill the agreement to create 13,000 new jobs at an average salary of around $54,000 and spend $10 billion in Wisconsin. The 13,000 jobs that Foxconn is expected to create does not include the amount of jobs generated by an estimated 150 suppliers. Foxconn is expected to make $4.26 billion in supplier purchases annually, about one-third of which will be sourced within Wisconsin. In addition to the 13,000 jobs created directly by Foxconn, the project is expected to create at least 22,000 indirect and induced jobs throughout the state.
A substitute amendment to the bill made a number of technical changes based off concerns raised during the bill’s public hearing. Among some of the changes in the amendment include $20 million in worker training support, strengthening environmental protections and hiring a full-time Electronics Manufacturing Small Business Development Director. Click here to review a summary of the changes made by the substitute amendment.
Moving forward, before this legislation becomes law, it still has to get approval from both the Senate and the Governor.
Building Commission Meeting at Wisconsin State Fair
On August 9, the Wisconsin State Building Commission held its monthly meeting at the Wisconsin State Fair to discuss administrative and UW-System building projects. The higher education subcommittee, which I chair, discussed a number of projects for the UW-System.
The campuses that presented projects before the Building Commission were UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Superior, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Milwaukee. The projects that were approved by the higher education subcommittee include:
UW-Eau Claire Towers Hall renovation;
UW-Oshkosh intramural recreation field complex construction for campus intramural sports;
UW-Superior Newman Center land purchase, which will house a Center for Community Engaged Learning and the Northern Center for Community and Economic Development;
Renovations to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point DeBot Residential Dining Center;
Other various maintenance and repair projects to UW-System facilities.
Rep. Swearingen during the Higher Education Subcommittee Meeting at the State Fair
After the higher education subcommittee meeting, the full commission met and approved projects from both the administrative affairs subcommittee and the higher education subcommittee. In addition to the items mentioned above, the commission also approved the following items from the administrative affairs subcommittee:
Authority for the Department of Transportation to lease new Department of Motor Vehicle Customer Services Center location in Dane County;
Construct facility rehabilitation and maintenance to the Department of Military Affairs Fort McCoy Military Academy and Milwaukee Readiness Center;
Green Bay Correctional Institution Camera Upgrade.
Full Building Commission Meeting at the State Fair
The Building Commission is a bipartisan, eight-member body chaired by Governor Walker, along with six legislators and a citizen member. The group's mission is to plan, oversee, and approve building projects around the state.
Governor Walker Announces Broadband Grants in Northwoods
Governor Walker was at the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation this morning as part of "Broadband Day" to announce the latest round of broadband expansion grants for Oneida, Vilas and Florence counties. As a I highlighted in my previous e-update, the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced in early August $1,500,000 in Broadband Expansion Grants, awarded to 13 projects in underserved areas throughout the state. Matching funds for these projects amounted to $2,310,475.60 for a total of $3,810,475.60 in broadband infrastructure investment.
The 34th Assembly District continues to be one of the largest recipients of broadband expansion grants in the entire state. Over the last five years alone, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has funded 12 projects in District 34, out of a total of 55 awards in the five fiscal years. That is the most of any Assembly District in the state! I would like to thank all of the stakeholders who continue to work tirelessly to enhance broadband connectivity in our area!
Rep. Swearingen discussing Broadband Grants for the 34th Assembly District alongside Governor Walker, Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Mike Huebsch and State Broadband Director Angie Dickison
Governor Walker discussing the Broadband Expansion Grants for Oneida, Vilas, and Florence Counties
Florence County Board Member Larry Neuens, Rep. Swearingen, Governor Walker, and Florence County Economic Development Corp. Director Wendy Gehlhoff
Recipients in the 34th Assembly District include:
ChoiceTel LLC ($72,846.40) – This project proposes to complete the construction of a fiber to the home service in the Town of Land O’Lakes in Vilas County, authorized in 3 grants in FY 2016, 2017 and 2018. When construction finishes in 2019, ChoiceTel will have buried over 60 miles of fiber optic cable along the main roads and side roads in the township, and will have connected over 1,000 customers to fiber to the home service.
Florence County ($66,712) – This project proposes to deploy a fixed wireless service from 3 towers in Florence County.
Oneida County Economic Development Corporation ($45,000) – This project proposes to build two additional towers in rural portions of Oneida County.
SonicNet Inc. ($6,746.47) – This project proposes to install a fixed wireless service on a county-owned tower in the Town of Conover in Vilas County. The project will also build microwave links to other SonicNet tower locations.
The Broadband Expansion Grants provide reimbursement for equipment and construction expenses incurred by efforts to extend or improve broadband telecommunications services in underserved regions of Wisconsin. To learn more about broadband expansion grants, please click here.
Presque Isle Fireman's Picnic
I had the opportunity to attend the annual Presque Isle Volunteer Fire Department's Picnic a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see everyone enjoying the music, food, raffles and games that were offered. The music at this year’s picnic was offered by popular Madison and Northwoods-based duo Strumm ‘N Drummer! I even ran into some cousins from Mercer! Look forward to seeing everyone again next summer!
Lakeland Area Public Safety Second Annual Fundraising Event
The Lakeland Area Public Safety Day Planning Committee hosted its second annual fundraising event on August 12, which works towards providing funding for local public safety agencies and organizations. The proceeds from this year event will go to initiating an EMS Bicycle response team.
The primary purpose of the EMS Bike Medic program is to provide expedient Advanced Life Support response and care to EMS incidents that may occur at special events within Oneida and neighboring counties. These special events include 4th of July Festivities, Beef-a-Rama and Cranberry Fest. The team is staffed with a Paramedic and an EMT and will be equipped with all necessary supplies to initiate care, stabilize, and monitor a patient while waiting for the ambulance.
It was great to see everyone attend last Saturday and show their support for this important event. I enjoyed the great conversations throughout the day!
Arbor Vitae Fireman's Picnic
Another great turnout at this year’s Arbor Vitae Fireman’s Picnic! I hope everyone enjoyed all that the picnic had to offer, whether it was the live music, fireworks, food and beverages or the popular Water Fight. It was great to catch up with good friends and make some new!
DNR Draft Amendment Available for Public Review
NEWS RELEASE
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707
SUBJECT: Draft amendment proposal for Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Master Plan available for public review and comment through September 17
MADISON - A draft amendment proposal for the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Master Plan is available for public review and comment through Sept. 17.
This proposed amendment will address evolving needs and opportunities regarding recreation at the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. The NHAL is a popular recreation destination in Wisconsin for outdoor enthusiasts of all interests. It is important to note that this proposed amendment does not propose any changes to the land management classifications of the NHAL.
The existing master plan for NHAL was approved in 2005. Since that time, several trends in recreation participation, along with changes to the use and management of surrounding public lands, have placed different and new demands on the property. To adapt to these changes and to ensure that the Department of Natural Resources continues to provide high‐quality experiences to visitors, changes are proposed to camping, non‐motorized trail, motorized trail, and boating opportunities provided at the property.
Components of the 2005 master plan related to recreation use and management will remain unchanged, unless directly noted in this amendment.
For more information regarding the planning process for NHAL, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "NHAL."
The department sought public input on potential updates to the master plan at public open house meetings in April 2017 and through a public input form that was available in April and May, both in hardcopy and online formats. A total of 497 responses were received. In addition to this data set, a study of NHAL visitors was conducted by UW‐Stevens Point and DNR staff in 2013 and 2014. That survey focused on the importance of the property to people and their recreation experiences.
Established in 1925 to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers, the NHAL State Forest occupies more than 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. The forest provides employment and economic support to local communities through the production of forest products, recreation and tourism.
To receive email updates regarding the NHAL planning process, visit dnr.wi.gov and click on the email icon near the bottom of the page titled "subscribe for updates for DNR topics," then follow the prompts and select "Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Amendment to the Master plan," found within the list titled "property master planning."
Public Service Commission Approves 2-Year Rate Freeze
MJS: Public Service Commission approves 2-year rate freeze for We Energies, WPS customers
Guy Boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Aug. 10, 2017
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission on Thursday approved a two-year rate freeze for We Energies' and Wisconsin Public Service's electric and natural gas customers.
The rate freeze was part of a settlement proposed by WEC Energy Group, the utilities' parent company, and supported by 24 of its largest customers.
The two-year rate freeze means that We Energies' electric rates — excluding fuel costs, which fluctuate — will remain unchanged for four years.
Six years also will have passed since the utility's last significant increase in electric rates.
In accepting the proposed settlement, the commissioners made clear that the commission will need to address several issues involving deferred costs that have not been included in We Energies rates.
Those costs were projected to reach almost $500 million by the end of the year.
The deferred costs stem primarily from the utility’s transmission system and a power plant in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The costs — some dating back to 2002 — are set aside in several different escrow accounts that increase each year. The increases include operating costs not in current rates and carrying costs on the accounts.
“There’s no secret the escrows continue to grow,” said Ellen Nowak, chairwoman of the Public Service Commission. “At some point, they must be addressed.”
We Energies estimated that the accounts could increase by $340 million in 2018 and 2019.
The commission accepted a proposal by WEC Energy Group that basically would create a new account for the projected increase and recover the money over 50 years, shifting the costs to future customers.
That would at least prevent the accounts from growing.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Nowak said.
The commission also ruled that $46.4 million in excess charges for fuel costs should be applied to the escrow accounts stemming from We Energies’ transmission system.
The commissioners agreed that whether the deferred costs stemming from We Energies’ operations in Michigan should be passed on to Wisconsin customers will need to be determined in the next rate case.
It seems like summer just got here and already there are signs of it ending. In the north a few maple trees are just starting to show some fall colors. A pair of bucks were seen this week, one still in velvet antlers and the other had already shed. The late summer yellows of tansy, black-eyed Susans and goldenrod speak of shorter days to come.
Continued rain showers in the last week, especially across the north, are keeping river systems at higher than normal levels for mid-August. Brown trout fishing continues to pick up on the Bois Brule River. The catfish bite is on on the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin with anglers landing good number of channel catfish. Some walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish and drum are being caught in the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers. Anglers have had good success on both the Fox and Wolf rivers catching northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish.
On Green Bay, anglers fishing for walleye on the west shore from the mouth of the Pensaukee River to Oconto are finally getting on to fish, while along the east shore success was more mixed with about half the boats reporting harvesting a few walleye while others did not catch any.
Anglers targeting smallmouth bass along Door County had success in water ranging from 4 to 20 feet. In Sturgeon Bay perch fishing has been pretty good with some anglers catching their 15 fish bag limit including some larger 12-inch perch.
Along northern Lake Michigan, salmon fishing generally remains slow with warm surface temps in the mid-60s plaguing the west shore of the lake. Some anglers out of Kewaunee have been able to find a few fish, mostly rainbows with an occasional king. Boats out of Manitowoc and Two Rivers have come in with some fish but most came in from 200-250 feet of water, which is quite a hike out from either port. Catches consisted mostly of chinooks, with an occasional rainbow.
Fishing pressure out of some southern Lake Michigan ports was higher this week compared to previous weeks, especially over the weekend due to a fishing derby. Mainly rainbow and lake trout and chinook and some coho salmon were caught out of Sheboygan and Port Washington. A mixed bag of king and coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead were caught out of Racine and Kenosha, again from deeper water as surface water was near 70 degrees.
There were reports at Horicon Marsh of blue-winged teal, wood ducks and mallards flocking up and some shorebirds were moving through. Some early migrants are pushing through southern Wisconsin including hummingbirds and Baltimore orioles - along with likely exodus by flycatchers and some of the early migrant warblers such as cerulean and mourning warblers.
There will be music in parks this weekend with the band Pieces of Eight performing at the beautiful Mirror Lake amphitheater or Noah James Hittner performing at Merrick State Park along the Mississippi River on Saturday. Universe in the Parkwill be at Willow River on Friday night and Big Bay and Interstate on Saturday night. Big Bay will also host its 23rd annual sandcastle contest on Saturday. And for those looking forward to Monday's solar eclipse, Interstate, Newport, Peninsula and Potawatomi all have eclipse programs. Remember, never look directly at the sun unless you look through special-purpose solar filters such as eclipse glasses.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - It seems like summer just got here and already there are signs of it ending! The late summer yellows of tansy, black-eyed Susans and goldenrod speak of shorter days to come. The lavenders of bergamot, fireweed and the dreaded invasive spotted knapweed add to the color pallet. Spreading dogbane is starting to turn yellow and the blackberries are ripening for the berry pickers! All sizes of turkey broods are being seen along roadsides, and once in a while a buck in velvet. Loons are being heard calling as they travel from lake to lake to feed and the hum of mosquitos is starting to fade. Crickets are starting to call during the evening walk time, a soothing but saddening of the summer season coming to an end! - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
