The Assembly was called back for an extraordinary session this Thursday to vote on a package of school safety bills. As a legislator and as a parent, ensuring the safety of our school children is my number one priority, and I am confident that the bills we passed this week will help us do just that. Governor Walker proposed the $100 million school safety package that includes the following initiatives:
Establishing the Office of School Safety under the Wisconsin Department of Justice
Creating a $100 million School Safety Grant Program under the Office of School Safety
Requiring Mandatory Reporting for any threats of school violence
Amending the bullying statue to include prompt parental notification
Incorporating Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) into training programs
Strengthening school safety plan requirements
Encouraging cooperation with local law enforcement
This past budget cycle, Assembly Republicans provided additional resources for mental health programs, funding for anti-bullying curriculum, and this past year the Assembly voted in favor of a new grant program to help schools hire armed security officers. I believe these are all steps in the right direction in ensuring our kids safety.
2018 Governor's Conference on Tourism
I had the opportunity to attend the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Appleton. The conference is organized by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and highlights all of the great work being done to promote Wisconsin’s thriving tourism industry. Tourism plays a vital role in our state’s economy, especially in the Northwoods, and it is always great to meet with local leaders and constituents to hear how a healthy tourism industry positively impacts our area.
Governor Walker gave a fantastic speech about all the great things Wisconsin has to offer.
Great to talk tourism in the Northwoods with members of the St. Germain Area, Phelps and Vilas County Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Swearingen with members of the Rhinelander, Three Lakes, Minocqua Area and Vilas County Chamber of Commerce during the conference.
Wisconsin Unemployment Rate at Record Low 2.9%
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has announced that our state unemployment rate has dropped to 2.9%, the lowest it has ever been! The number of people employed in the state has also reached a record high 3,068,200! You can read the entire DWD release by clicking here:
I am extremely proud to see Wisconsin working!
Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup
The Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup, which consists of a consortium of members from the public and private sectors, met last week for an update on our efforts to expand broadband access around Wisconsin and revise our first responder communications. I am proud to announce that the 34th Assembly District has received more broadband expansion grants than any other district in the state. Fast and reliable broadband access is essential in today’s world, and I am committed to making sure increased broadband access to the Northwoods is a top priority.
WI State Telecommunications Association Executive Director Bill Esbeck(left), Rep. Swearingen (center), and Rep. Bob Kulp (right) during the Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup meeting.
HighFive Award Presentation
Last Friday I had the honor to attend an award presentation for Social Worker Brie Hoban at the Dr. Kate Hospice office in Arbor Vitae. Brie received the HIGH FIVE Award thanks to her professionalism and excellence of care. I would like to congratulate Brie again for all that she does and being such an outstanding member of the community!
Rep. Swearingen with Brie Hoban after she was presented with the High Five Award for excellence of care.
Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol Legislative Day
The Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol held its annual legislative day last week, and we had a great discussion on the role of the organization and the group's legislative priorities. We appreciate all you do for the state. Thanks for stopping by!
Rep. Swearingen with members of the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol
Disability Advocacy Day
The Wisconsin Survival Coalition had its annual legislative day this week and spoke to legislators about initiatives to help individuals with disabilities enter and thrive in the workforce. Thank you to everyone who made the trip down to Madison!
Rep. Swearingen with WI Survival Coalition member Greg Meyer
Northland Pines School District Visit
Elementary school students from Northland Pines School District visited Madison last week. I hope everyone enjoyed their time at the Capitol! Thanks for visiting!
Wisconsin Hospital Association Advocacy Day
Members of the Wisconsin Hospital Association came to Madison this week for their annual advocacy day. I had the opportunity to meet with a large group of members representing Northern Wisconsin. They were very appreciative of the legislature's efforts to increase broadband for hospitals and support workforce development to draw talented individuals to the community. Thank you to everyone who came down from the district. It is always great to meet with constituents in the Capitol!
Rep. Swearingen meeting with members of the WI Hospital Association.
Rep. Swearingen with members of the WI Hospital Association from the 34th Assembly district.
DNR Outdoor Report
Published March 22, 2018 by the Central Office
Some cold nights are retaining the snow and ice cover in the far north, but with no new snow in the last week, snowmobile trails have now closed in all but one county in the north where trails are listed as poor on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). The deep snow has allowed cross-country ski trails to remain open and in good to fair condition in several northern parks and forests.
Northwoods lakes still have over a foot of ice but anglers have mentioned some slush under the snow. Fishing has picked up a bit with anglers catching some crappies. Lake Wisconsin is still holding on to its ice, but barely. Looks like it will melt off any day now.
Despite a Coast Guard ice breaker making it out of Sturgeon Bay through Green Bay ice conditions on the east shore have remained stable. Fishermen are still accessing the ice of Green Bay on foot off Door County. Fishing action has been good over the last week with most anglers still catching whitefish, some still taking limits. The Sawyer Harbor boat launch in the city of Sturgeon Bay, is now free of ice as of this week, and a few boat fishermen are already taking advantage in pursuit to trout, walleye and northern.
Good numbers of steelhead have been taken below the Kohler Dam on the Sheboygan River. Anglers fishing near Esslingen Park report catching some brown trout. Despite moderate pressure, trout action has been tough from the Sheboygan piers., but a few persistent anglers have had success catching small browns. Many boaters were reporting success catching brown trout to the north and south near the power plant. Several steelhead have been taken at the Port Washington Utility.
Many turkeys are still grouped up in bachelor groups but toms are starting to display and break out of larger flocks on warm days. American woodcock are likely peenting in good habitat. A bear was seen sitting on the ground in Washburn County that looked like it was just waking up.
There has been an increase in the number of baby animals sighted, including fox, raccoon, and squirrel kits. If you see a young wild animal you think is injured or lost, contact your local wildlife rehab center or visit the DNR webpage and search keyword "Keep Wildlife Wild." Most wild mothers watch their young from a distance, and what you think is an abandoned young animal may be perfectly fine.
Sap is flowing when our temperatures are above 40 degrees and the sun shines and nights are still below freezing. The rest of this week and weekend temperatures looks to be good sap flowing weather. In the south, a walk through the woods may reveal wild onion, hepatica and skunk cabbage, all early spring wildflowers.
Fire season is just beginning. So far this year, 57 fires have occurred in DNR Protection Areas. Main fire causes have been debris burning and equipment.
Despite extensive snow and ice, the vanguard of American robins, red-winged blackbirds, American kestrels, ring-billed gulls, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons have joined the trumpeter swans, Canada geese, common goldeneyes, common mergansers, and other waterfowl as far north as Lake Superior. Loons have returned to far southeastern counties and will trickle into big lakes with open water over the weeks ahead.
Wildfire Report
Fire season is just beginning. Each year an estimated 1,100 wildfires burn in DNR protection areas (about half the state, generally the more forested areas) and another estimated 2,500 wildfires burn in parts of the state where fire departments are the primary responders. Two-thirds of these fires occur in spring. There is a great deal of dry vegetation and fallen leaves and other debris present this time of year, which is quick to dry out. Accompanied by warmer weather, drops in humidity and gusty winds, wildfires can quickly ignite and spread. So far this year, 57 fires have occurred in DNR Protection Areas. Main fire causes have been debris burning and equipment. Fourteen homes and 12 outbuildings have been threatened by these fires and 3 outbuildings have been destroyed. With the nicer weather, homeowners are cleaning up around their properties, sometimes choosing to burn leaves and branch debris. Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires, especially this time of year. Burning is not your only option. Try alternatives such as composting or leaving brush in the woods for wildlife cover. The best practice is to not burn at all or to wait until surrounding vegetation greens-up in the summer. If you do burn, get a burning permit and follow the rules of the day. You can stay aware of fire danger and burning permit requirements by checking our website dnr.wi.gov, keyword "fire" or calling 1-888-WIS-BURN. Information is updated each day at 11 a.m.
Firewise Tip: If you burn wood for home heating, it's time to move any remaining firewood stacked near your home to a spot that's at least 30 feet away. If you dump wood ash outdoors, spread the ash in an area free of vegetation and debris and drown with water to make sure any hidden embers are fully extinguished. Or leave the ash in a metal bucket with a tight fitting lid until it is completely cool. - Joanne Ackerman, wildland urban interface coordinator, Madison
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - Cross-country ski trails are no longer being maintained for skiing.- Tony Martinez, parks and recreation specialist
Community Events
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