I had the opportunity to meet with the new Secretary of Tourism, Sara Meaney, this week to talk about how much the tourism industry means to the Northwoods. Over the last eight years, tourism in Wisconsin reached $20.6 billion, an increase of almost 40% from 2011. Making sure that we continue to build upon this great progress is a top legislative priority of mine. I was encouraged by my conversation with Secretary Meaney and look forward to working with her as the 2019-2020 legislative session gets underway.
Secretary Sara Meaney and Communications Director Craig Trost.
Assembly Committee on Rules & Middle Class Tax Cut Proposal
I was asked by Majority Leader Steineke to fill in on the Assembly Committee on Rules meeting this week to approve the calendar for the February 12th Assembly floor session. The committee decides what legislation is to be debated on the Assembly floor, and I am excited to announce that we will vote on Assembly Bill 4, a well deserved tax break for hardworking middle class individuals and families.
The Assembly Committee on Rules Meeting in the Assembly Parlor.
Next Tuesday, the Assembly will vote on Assembly Bill 4: relating to increasing the maximum deduction under the individual income tax sliding scale standard deduction. Due to strong conservative fiscal management, Wisconsin ended FY 2018 with a $588.5 million surplus. This middle class tax break will utilize our surplus to provide $340 million in tax relief for the hardworking citizens of Wisconsin. The plan targets individuals making less than $100,000 and families making $150,000 or less. Under the proposal the average median-income family will enjoy a $310 reduction in their net taxes.
After $8 billion in tax cuts over the past eight years, state revenues have grown accordingly by over 24%. Our $588.5 million surplus rightfully belongs to the people of Wisconsin, and this tax break will do just that. I am proud to have co-sponsored this bill and look forward to voting in favor of it next Tuesday.
Florence County Forestry & Parks Update
Had a great meeting with Florence County Forestry & Parks Administrator Patrick Smith and WI County Forests Association representative Jane Severt, regarding the recent approval for Florence County to purchase land in the Town of Homestead through a stewardship grant. The property will be profitable thanks to timber management, and the land will be available for public use including recreational trails for hunting, fishing, walking, skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, UTV and ATV.
Thanks again for making the trip down to Madison!
2019 Labatt Blue/USA Hockey - Pond Hockey National Championships
The 14th annual Labatt Blue/USA Hockey - Pond Hockey Championships will take place February 8-10 on Dollar Lake in Eagle River. The pond hockey championship is a great community event and fun for the whole family. Please click here for more information.
For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).
Rollercoaster weather continued across Wisconsin in the last week, again hampering winter outdoor recreation across much of the southern half of the state. One of the first good snowfalls of the season was followed by the polar vortex with frigid temperatures keeping many people inside. Then when snowmobile and ski trails were finally opened in the south, the state was hit by warm temperatures and rain that rendered many trails unusable.
Snowmobile trails are now again open only across the northern third of the state and only in good condition across the norther tier of counties according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trail conditions fared better and are in good to fair across about the norther half of the state.
New snow was falling in the north Thursday, but it was freezing rain falling across the south making driving and walking conditions hazardous. Most northern properties were indicating they planned to regroom ski trails on Friday after the snow clears out and many expected ski conditions to be good for the weekend. As always, check the Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) or county and chamber websites for updates on snowmobile conditions as grooming is handled locally by snowmobile clubs.
Ice thickness is variable with most northern lakes holding 14 to 22 inches of ice. Anglers have been fishing for walleye, crappie, walleye and perch with some success. On Big Green Lake, there have been some decent catches of ciscoes and lake trout in about 100 feet of water. One happy angler recently caught a lake trout that measured 34 inches.
On Green Bay, a few limits of whitefish have been coming in from the west shore, but overall action has slowed. Heavy fishing pressure was again observed on the Fox River at Voyageur's Park with anglers catching a decent numbers of walleye, with a few perch and whitefish mixed in as well.
Along Door County folks were coming in from the northern part of Little Sturgeon Bay with small perch along with the occasional whitefish. Perch anglers coming in from the middle of Little Sturgeon Bay did well this week.
The sturgeon spear fishery on the Winnebago system begins on Saturday Feb. 9. Water clarity is the biggest predictor of sturgeon harvest from Lake Winnebago. Typically an average clarity is 12 feet or more. Anecdotal reports from spearers suggest that clarity ranges from 6-10 feet on the southern end of Lake Winnebago to 8-12 feet on the northern. Water clarity is pretty good on the Upriver Lakes, but most spearers are fishing in 4-6 feet of water so clarity does not play as big of a role. There seems to be more cracks on the lake this year relative to years past, so use caution. Local fishing clubs around the lake do a great job of monitoring ice conditions and maintaining access points and lake roads. More details about sturgeon spearing throughout the Lake Winnebago system, including the complete 2019 rules and a list of the 10 registration station locations, can be found at "Winnebago system sturgeon."
Seven candlelight events are scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 9, including two of the longest running events: the 29th annual events at Newport and Pike Lake. Snow and rain were falling across the state Thursday. With the precarious weather, check the DNR website, Twitter feed or contact properties directly for cancellations.
Wildlife has been hunkered down and not moving much but one of the few sightings of note is otters moving in trout streams. A few more birds have been showing up and moving around, including common redpoll, pine siskin, and brown creeper.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The forest received about 6 inches of new fully snow Tuesday night. All trails were groomed and are in good to excellent condition. The forest was receiving more snow Thursday and plans are to regroom trails Friday.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
