The Assembly informally wrapped up the 2018-2019 legislative session last week. I am extremely proud of all we have accomplished this session and strongly believe that Wisconsin continues to move forward in the right direction. This E-Update highlights some of the great legislative initiatives from this session!
Lowering Taxes and Growing the Economy
Assembly Republicans successfully eliminated three taxes this session, including the entire state property tax. I am proud to say that property taxes are lower today than they were in 2010, and Wisconsin’s tax burden is at its lowest level in 50 years. Lowering taxes and cutting wasteful spending allows you to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Likewise, our consistent reforms have ensured that Wisconsin’s economy continues to move in the right direction. Our efforts to improve the business climate in Wisconsin, such as the elimination of a portion of the personal property tax, have proven effective. Wisconsin’s 3% unemployment rate is the lowest it has ever been. To make sure that everyone is able to find a job, we have expanded worker training programs and created a new program to help unemployed veterans find jobs. Additionally, the legislature also passed a rural economic development package that will help support rural areas throughout the state.
Broadband Expansion
Ensuring that residents of the Northwoods have access to fast and reliable broadband has been one of my top priorities as your state representative. The legislature increased funding for broadband expansion by $10 million this session, and 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 an increase in broadband grants helps more communities, students, schools and businesses reach their full potential.
Education Reform
The 2017-2019 biennial state budget included a historic $639 million investment in K-12 schools. We have also created a new lifetime teacher license for successful teachers and administrators, increased funding for special education and mental health services, and introduced a $100 per pupil increase in aid to rural districts using the state’s surplus funds. The current freeze on in-state tuition at UW system schools has also been extended. The freeze has already saved in-state students $6,000 on average!
Health Care Reform
Health care reform has been another major priority this session. We have guaranteed health care coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, lowered premiums, increased access to health insurance by allowing small businesses to pool together, improved long-term care services and saved SeniorCare. Additionally, we have devoted extra attention to combating Alzheimer’s and dementia by creating grants for increased awareness of these terrible diseases and increasing the number of dementia care specialists in the state.
HOPE Agenda
The HOPE Agenda (Heroin and Opiate Prevention and Education) is a bi-partisan effort to combat the heroin and opiate epidemic, as well as wider prescription drug abuse and addiction. The HOPE Agenda, created by Representative John Nygren (R - Marinette) in 2013, has been a tremendous success passing several laws focusing on finding concrete solutions to this difficult problem. The involvement of law enforcement, state agencies, addiction experts, legislators and the public have created a unified effort to pass effective legislation. While we have more work to do, the HOPE Agenda is moving us in the right direction.
Foster Care Reform
The bipartisan Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care was formed this session to focus on improving Wisconsin’s foster care system. The task force held several public hearings around the state to hear from those most involved in our foster care system. A package of 13 bills were passed this session to better support families, improve the child welfare system and provide additional resources for foster children throughout the state. These reforms are a direct result of the feedback received from the public and will help thousands of children and their families!
Welfare Reform
The Assembly passed a package of welfare reform bills that will help get people off of government dependence and towards the independence of a self-sustaining job. With Wisconsin’s business climate thriving, we want to help everyone find a job instead of relying on government assistance. With the unemployment rate in Wisconsin being at its lowest level ever, we need to make sure that everyone is incentivized to enter the workforce. This welfare reform package will not only pay dividends to our state, but it is a great opportunity for every Wisconsin resident to reach their full potential!
Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Legislative Day
The Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics held their legislative day this week. We had a great discussion about legislative initiatives and the importance of proper nutrition to your health. Thanks for visiting the Capitol!
Rep. Swearingen with representatives from the WI Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Tavern League Legislative Day
The Wisconsin Tavern League held their annual legislative day at the Capitol this week. Being in the hospitality industry myself, it is always great to meet other business owners from the 34th district and around the state. Thanks again everyone for stopping by!
Members of the Wisconsin Tavern League in the Capitol's Rotunda
Members of the Vilas County Tavern League
Members of the Oneida County Tavern League
Wisconsin County Constitutional Officers Association Legislative Day
The Wisconsin County Constitutional Officers visited Madison this week, and I had the opportunity to meet with Vilas County Clerk Dave Alleman and Oneida County Register of Deeds Kyle Franson to discuss local issues and future legislative priorities. Thanks for stopping by Dave and Kyle!
Rep. Swearingen with Vilas County Clerk Dave Alleman
Rep. Swearingen with Oneida County Register of Deeds Kyle Franson
Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association
The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association also held their annual legislative day this past week. Earlier this session, the legislature increased funding for broadband expansion grants and created a statewide digital 911 network. WSTA supported both of these efforts, and I look forward to continuing to expand broadband and other digital services to under-served areas around the state!
My staffer, Joe Mesec (left) and Scott Bohler from Frontier Communications
DNR Outdoor Report
Published March 1, 2018 by the Central Office
The north received another good snowfall last weekend, which is extending winter recreation there, with some areas still having more than 2 feet of snow on the ground. But recent warm temperatures have snowmobile and ski trails across the north in soft condition and warm temperatures are forecast to be around for the next week so conditions could deteriorate more. Snowmobile trails were open as of Thursday in about 15 northern counties on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report. A number of northern properties are still reporting good Cross-Country Ski Trail Conditions.The warm weather softened ice, especially where there is flow but anglers still report 20-plus inches of ice on some northern lakes. In central Wisconsin there was also plenty of ice on lakes but the top 5-6 inches are slushy and honeycombed. In Kenosha and Racine counties the ice is out on the smaller ponds and o on the edges of the lakes, which now are a deep blue color indicating ice may be gone soon. Fishing on northern lakes has been slower but folks are enjoying mild weather and socializing. Panfishing on southern lakes has been decent this past week. A reminder that all permanent fishing shacks and shelters must be removed from waters south of Highway 64 by the end of the day Sunday, March 4.The Pine, Waupaca, and White rivers in central Wisconsin are free of ice and have had some pressure for the catch and release trout season. The ice on Green Bay is starting to break up so anglers should use extra caution venturing out. Anglers continue to catch whitefish off the Oconto breakwater while northern pike fishing also picked up off of Oconto. The Fox River is mostly open water from the De Pere Dam down pass the 172 Bridge with around 20 yards or so of ice along the edges. Anglers fishing the edge ice out of Voyageurs report catching a few walleye and whitefish.The two major snow falls last week left another 10-11 inches of snow on top more than a foot of old snow in the Flambeau River State Forest. This boosted the winter severity index to slightly below 50, which is the border between a mild winter and a moderate winter. The deep snow has deer and elk concentrating in logging areas browsing on branches left behind.
Warmer nights have increased opossum activity. These interesting marsupials mate in mid to late winter, and most young are born in March and early April. Newborn opossums climb into their mother's protective pouch, known as a marsupium, and remain there for 60-70 days. Opossum serve an important function in food webs consuming many harmful insects and cleaning up carrion. Through their fur grooming process, opossums remove and ingest black-legged ticks, which are responsible for transmitted Lyme disease to humans. It is estimated that an opossum may ingest up to 5,000 ticks during the growing season.Buds on maple trees looking quite large and the warm weather has also started sap to flow. School groups have started helping tap trees at the MacKenzie Centerin anticipation on next month's Maple Syrup Festival. Interstate Park will have programs Saturday and Sunday on how to tap maple trees to collect sap. Large numbers of migrants moved into the southeastern part of the state this past week, with greater white-fronted and Canada geese most prevalent, with many other waterfowl species also flooding in, including goldeneye, scaup, and red-breasted mergansers, pintails, green-winged teal and wood ducks. Trumpeter swans are also returning to some traditional breeding sites.There is a full moon on Thursday and Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center is holding a Full Moon Hike Friday and the last candlelight event of the winter at Wisconsin State Park System properties will be a candlelight snowshoe hike this Saturday at Rib Mountain State Park. There will be hot chocolate, hot cider, and special goodies, as well as marshmallows to roast around the campfire.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The foot of snow received late last week has now put levels up past the knees in many spots and even with the warm up, one needs snowshoes to maneuver around the woods this week! The warmer temperatures are luring more folks outside to partake in the winter beauty of the Northwoods. Visitors are urged to watch out for icy patches with the fluctuating temperatures. - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
The forest received 3 inches of new snow March 1. The Escanaba Ski Trail was groomed and tracked and has good conditions with firm base and pole plant. The recent large amounts of snow and high temperatures have made the trails very soft. Madeline and Raven trails were groomed Sunday and Monday and are in good condition. McNaughton Ski Trail classic loops were partially tracked/groomed on Monday. The machine and groomer got stuck on a hill while grooming the Blue Loop so use caution when skiing the Blue. There are ruts and chunks of snow from the groomer. Grooming operations resumed later on the rest of the classic loops. Good tracks were set. The skater's loop is in fair to good condition at best. The trails are VERY soft. The groomer kept getting clogged with slushy snow and made it difficult to create a nice surface. If using the skater's loop, use caution around the lake sections. Large snow drifts formed on the trail creating an uneven surface. Even with the warm temperatures, there are no thin spots to watch out for. If the weather begins to cool down, all trails will be cut and groomed again to regain a smooth surface.- Tony Martinez, parks and recreation specialist
In Memoriam: Tom Handrick
The Minoquca area suffered a great loss earlier this week when Tom Handrick tragically passed away. Tom was a great and active member to the Northwoods community. Tom owned Lakeland Landscaping, was on the board of directors of the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce, and was heavily involved in the Minocqua Lions Club, earning that organization's coveted Birch-Sturm Brothership Award. I will miss our conversations and his great sense of humor. Please keep his wife, Kelly, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow.
Community Events
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Members of the Oneida County Tavern League
