I am proud to have voted in favor of the Middle Class Tax Cut bill this week. The bill passed the Assembly on a 61 to 33 vote and the Senate on a 19 to 14 vote. The legislation uses Wisconsin’s budget surplus to cut taxes for the middle class by $340 million and saves the average family $310. Our strong conservative reforms over the past eight years have allowed us to have a historic surplus. I was encouraged to see Governor Ever’s propose a middle class tax cut on the campaign trail, and it is my sincere hope that he will sign this bill into law.
AWSC Snowmobile Ride
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs "Celebrate Snowmobiling" ride. The ASWC does a great job supporting Wisconsin’s rich snowmobiling traditions and promoting safe snowmobiling throughout the state. The ride was a great way to speak with folks who are passionate about snowmobiling. I also attended the Cross Country Cruisers Sport Show in Arbor Vitae. A great showcase of everything snowmobiling. Thank you to ASWC, the snowmobile clubs, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Tourism for all the great work you do!
Fresh snow made for a great ride.
Rep. Swearingen with Department of Tourism Secretary Sara Meaney.
From left to right: Representative Nygren, Representative Swearingen, Department of Tourism Secretary Meaney, and Regional Tourism Specialists Drew Nussbaum and Jeff Anderson.
Rep. Swearingen with Vilas County Board Member Holly Tomlanovich and Regional Tourism Specialist Drew Nussbaum.
Great to see so many people come out. Thanks again for the invitation!
Superior Legislative Day
I had a chance to meet with community leaders from Northwestern Wisconsin as a part of the Superior Legislative Day in the Capitol. Northwest Wisconsin faces many of the same challenges as the 34th Assembly District, and we had a productive discussion on how the state can move forward to address rural issues.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tax Form Changes
The IRS has eliminated Forms 1040A and 1040EZ. The state forms 1A and WI-Z for tax year 2018 were also eliminated accordingly. Wisconsin residents should use Form 1. Part-year residents and Wisconsin non-residents should use Form 1NPR.
For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).
Wisconsin had a series of snowfall across the entire state this week, dropping anywhere from 6 to more than a foot of snow in many locations. With Wisconsin finally completely covered with snow, this should be one of the best weekends of the season for outdoor winter recreation.
Snowmobile trails have reopened through much of central Wisconsin counties and a few southern counties. Trails across the northern half of the state were good to excellent on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trails were groomed or will be by the weekend and many properties are reporting ski trail conditions are excellent or good.
Northern lakes are ice covered with 20-plus inches of ice. With the snowfall the lakes are heavy with snow and travel out on the ice is difficult. There have been a few diehard ice anglers out there fishing for walleye, crappie and perch with not much to show for their efforts.
Fishing on Green Bay slowed some this week with anglers fishing the west shore catching whitefish and a few bonus walleyes. Walleye fishing slowed on the Fox River but some anglers were catching northern pike on the Bay.
Access at many locations along Door County was difficult with snow covering up the chopped ice, though some shove ice still sticks out in further reaches. The best access was at Stone Quarry where folks followed a plowed trail to get access to the northside of the breakwall. Those fishing in 50 to70 feet of water did OK with whitefish and reported ice to be from 15 inches to 2 feet.
The 2019 sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago is expected to last the full 16-days this season, so spearers still have plenty of opportunity to get out on the ice and take part in this unique winter tradition. Through the first five days there have been 193 fish registered from Lake Winnebago. Spearers have been more successful on the Upriver Lakes, registering a total of 220 fish through the first five days of the season. The Upriver Lakes season will likely go through this weekend and potentially into early next week. The highlight of the 2019 sturgeon spearing season has been the 20 fish registered that have weighed 100 pounds or more, the most notable a 171-pound, 85.5-inch sturgeon registered by Jonathan Eiden of Oshkosh on opening day.
Whitetail deer have begun shedding antlers. Predators such as ermine, bobcat, fox and coyote have been spotted as they look for food and mates also during this Valentine breeding season.
All the snowfall brought good numbers of birds to feeders. Large numbers of cardinals were reported, including as many as 45 at a Dodge County feeder as well as few pine siskins and common redpolls among other regular species. Longer day length has initiated some breeding. Singing activity is ramping up for cardinals, black-capped chickadees, house finches, and dark-eyed juncos. Pairs of red-tailed and bald eagles are beginning to bring sticks to old and new nest sites. Great horned owls across the southern half of the state are already incubating eggs.
There will be seven candlelight events this Saturday, along Winterfest at Merrick State Park. Next Tuesday is the full snow super moon, when the moon is at its closed point in its orbit to Earth, making it appear its largest and brightest. Both Horicon Marsh and the Northern Kettles are holding full moon hikes.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - Mother nature has made sure that the forest has enough snow now for all winter activities. Snowshoe, ski and snowmobile trails are in excellent shape. Area bird feeders are being blessed by evening grosbeaks and red poles from the north. Northern Shrikes are also visiting the feeders so many birds are wary. Other predators such as ermine, bobcat, fox and coyote are being spotted here and there as they look for food and mates also during this valentine season. It's a great time to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland. - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
NH-AL cross-country ski trails are in good condition. The forest received 12-15 inches of new snow Tuesday to Wednesday. Very scenic with snow clinging to ice on tree branches. Snow in the woods now around 24 inches. Escanaba trail was packed and tracked Wednesday and is in good condition. Madeline trails were tracked Thursday. Red and green segments are tracked. All others were rolled and leveled only. McNaughton trails loops were packed with snowmobile but there is lots of debris from the recent large amounts of snow. Tracks were not set. Regular grooming operations will continue Thursday. Raven had all loops packed with snowmobile but there were problems getting up some of the hills. Plans were to let the trail set up overnight and track Thursday. - Dan Jacoby and Tony Martinez, recreation specialists; Beth Feind and Joe Kraetke, rangers
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
