This week marks National Travel and Tourism Week, which runs from May 7 through May 13. Governor Walker and the Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett kicked off National Travel and Tourism Week by visiting Wildwood Wildlife Park in Minocqua last Friday for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Family owned and operated by Judy and Duane Domaszek since 1997, Wildwood is home to more than 1,000 animals including endangered and threatened species and is the second largest zoo in Wisconsin. The ribbon cutting ceremony highlighted a new safari ride attraction at the park. The new attraction will allow visitors to take a 25 minute safari ride to see a number of animals roaming around, including zebras and ostriches. I would like to thank Judy and Duane for all of their hard work over the years to enhance tourism in the Northwoods.
Sen. Tiffany, Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett, Duane Domaszek, Governor Walker, Judy Domaszek, Shawn and Kim Domaszek, and Rep. Swearingen during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Wildwood Wildlife Park in Minocqua
Governor Walker talking to the group during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Rep. Swearingen, Sen. Tiffany, and Governor Walker being Photobombed by the Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett
With this being National Travel and Tourism Week, I have some exciting tourism news to share with you. Wisconsin’s tourism economy reached $20 billion in 2016, which marks a $700 million increase from $19.3 billion in 2015. Additional information on Wisconsin’s tourism economy can be found below.
Key Results
The total six-year growth of tourism activity in the state is $5.2 billion, a 35 percent increase according to Tourism Economics, the research firm for the Department of Tourism.
Visitor volume for the same period is up 15.2 million from 92.5 million to 107.7 million in 2016.
Additionally, international travel to Wisconsin was up $100 million.
Last year’s decline in gas prices resulted in lower transportation costs for visitors and increased spending on lodging, restaurants, and recreation.
Lodging, which makes up over 27 percent of visitor spending, showed the strongest growth at 5.8 percent.
Visitors spent over $3 billion on food and beverage, the second largest sector of the tourism economy.
Traveler spending on recreation had a growth of 4.2 percent.
Tourism directly and indirectly supported 193,500 jobs in Wisconsin’s labor market in 2016.
The growth of tourism over the last six years has helped add 21,500 jobs, a 12.4 percent increase.
Wisconsin ranks number one in the Midwest for fun, family friendliness, uniqueness, affordability, outdoor recreation, and welcoming atmosphere according to Longwoods International, a global leader in travel research.
Also this week, the Assembly Committee on Tourism held an executive session to vote on two bills that the committee held a public hearing on two weeks ago. Both Assembly Bill 180 and Assembly Bill 181 passed with strong bipartisan support.
AB 180: Relating to: snowmobile trail use stickers and trail aids and supplemental trail aids for snowmobile trail maintenance.
This bill increases the maximum dollar amount per mile, from $250 to $300, which the Department of Natural Resources may pay to counties for actual expenses related to maintaining snowmobile trails per year.
AB 181: Relating to: funding for the all-terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle safety enhancement program and making an appropriation.
This bill increases the amount of moneys appropriated from the conservation fund to the Department of Natural Resources for the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety program, under which DNR may provide funding to groups that promote the safe operation of ATVs. This bill also expands the ATV safety program to include groups that promote the safe operation of utility terrain vehicles and requires DNR to annually determine the amount necessary to fund the program.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs Update
The Assembly Committee on State Affairs, which I chair, continued with our busy agenda last week Wednesday. The committee voted and passed two bills and held a public hearing on another piece of legislation. Additionally, the committee reviewed administrative rules through the Red Tape Review process. The Red Tape Review is an important initiative that seeks to remove unnecessary, burdensome, and outdated regulations.
The Assembly State Affairs Committee Meeting on May 3rd
Executive Session
AB 42: Relating to: various changes regarding administrative rules and rule-making procedures and making an appropriation.
As I mentioned in a previous e-update, this bill requires scope statements for proposed administrative rules to be reviewed by the Department of Administration for a determination of an agency's authority to promulgate a rule; requires agencies to hold preliminary public hearings and comment periods on scope statements for rules if directed to do so by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR); and requires the passage of a bill in order for an agency to promulgate a rule that would result in implementation and compliance costs of $10 million over any two-year period, subject to certain exceptions. In sum, this bill would strengthen the Legislature and improve transparency and accountability in the rule-making process.
AB 60: Relating to: an employee in the classified service representing himself or herself as an engineer.
Assembly Bill 60 aims to prevent an employee in the classified service from representing themselves as an engineer, when they have not undergone engineer training or received the proper education.
Public Hearing
AB 205: Relating to: state leases for real property.
Under this bill, the Department of Administration (DOA), when entering into or renewing a lease, must conduct a cost-benefit analysis comparing the proposed lease to the purchase of the space or another suitable space and must evaluate comparable lease options within a 10-mile radius. In addition, if a proposed lease involves an annual rent of more than $500,000, it must be signed by the secretary of administration and DOA must submit the proposed lease, as well as the cost-benefit analysis and evaluation of comparable lease rates, to the Joint Committee on Finance for a 14-day passive review.
Red Tape Review
SPS 120: Relating to: authority and definitions of auctioneers and auction companies.
SPS 121: Relating to: application of auctioneers and auction companies.
SPS 122: Relating to: examinations of auctioneers and auction companies.
SPS 123: Relating to: advertising of auctioneers and auction companies.
Assembly Floor Session
The Assembly held a floor session for the second consecutive week on Wednesday. A major focus of this week’s floor session was on bills that passed the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform. Below you can reference some of the bills that were voted on.
AB 79: Relating to: mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect by juvenile correctional officers.
AB 82: Relating to: an exemption for resident disabled veterans and for recipients of the Purple Heart medal from the cumulative preference system for issuing wild turkey hunting licenses and tags.
AB 182: Relating to: various changes to the pharmacy practice law and modifying rules promulgated by the Pharmacy Examining Board.
AB 191: Relating to: personal delivery devices and providing a penalty.
AB 238: Relating to: work requirements for recipients of vouchers under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program.
AB 240: Relating to: the school attendance requirement under Learnfare.
AB 241: Relating to: mitigating the benefit drop-off in Wisconsin Shares.
AB 242: Relating to: substance abuse screening, testing, and treatment requirements for certain work experience programs, providing an exemption from emergency rule-making procedures, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.
AB 243: Relating to: a study regarding offering mobility grants for unemployment insurance claimants.
Rep. Swearingen filling in during the Assembly Rules Committee on Thursday, May 4
Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting
On Tuesday, May 9, I attended the Wisconsin Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup meeting, which consists of a consortium of members from the public and private sectors that are working to expand broadband throughout Wisconsin. I, along with Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) and Sen. Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), serve as the three legislators for the workgroup. Stakeholders represented in these discussions include the State Broadband Office, Wisconsin’s Chief Information Officer, UW and UW-Extension, AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier Communications, WI State Telecommunications Association, the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Justice.
Broadband Stakeholder Workgroup meeting at the Public Service Commission with representatives from both the public and private sector
The group discussed the Rural Broadband Bill, Assembly Bill 23, which recently passed the Assembly. This legislation makes changes to funding for grants made by the PSC for projects to construct broadband infrastructure in under served areas, eliminating the $1,500,000 annual cap on broadband grants and allowing more money to be transferred to the program. Among other topics that the group discussed were BadgerNet, the Energy Rural Broadband Program, a system to increase speed and reliability of 911 services called NextGen911, and programs to increase broadband connectivity in schools.
Broadband expansion continues to be one of my top priorities every legislative session. I am proud to say that since 2014, the 34th Assembly District has received more than $900,000 in broadband expansion grant monies. As a whole, the 34th District has been one of the largest recipients of broadband expansion grants throughout the state.
For more information on broadband expansion in Wisconsin, please visit the Wisconsin State Broadband Office website. This website has been refreshed and updated with new coverage maps. To access the coverage maps, please click here. I would like to thank all parties who have continued to work tirelessly on this issue and remain committed to upgrading broadband capabilities in rural areas of the state like the Northwoods.
Northwoods Schools Visit the Capitol!
During the last couple of weeks, five school groups from the Northwoods visited the Capitol in Madison. The schools that toured the Capitol were Three Lakes Elementary School, Central Intermediate School in Rhinelander, and North Lakeland Elementary School in Manitowish Waters. I have found the Capitol tours to be very beneficial and think it is a great opportunity for young students to learn more about the inner workings of state government. I hope that everyone enjoyed the tour and had a great day in Madison!
Three Lakes Elementary School on Friday, April 28
Central Intermediate School in Rhinelander on Monday, May 1
Central Intermediate School in Rhinelander on Wednesday, May 3
Central Intermediate School in Rhinelander on Monday, May 8
North Lakeland Elementary in Manitowish Waters on Thursday, May 11
St. Germain Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Presentation
Throughout the year, non-profit organizations across the state receive Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grants from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism for the purpose of promoting Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain where the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce received a $5,000 JEM Grant for their Arctic Warrior Races. The Arctic Warrior Races are set to take place on January 13, 2018. The event includes multiple events such as a Snowshoe Challenge, Obstacle Course Race, Little Warrior Race, and the Ultimate Warrior race, each consisting of different distances.
The races, according to the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce, are expected to bring around 250 visitors to St. Germain and have an estimated economic impact of $22,350 in visitor expenditures. The St. Germain Chamber of Commerce also announced that the grant funds received will be used for online, print, television and outdoor advertising in order to reach out to possible visitors from Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Milwaukee.
Rep. Swearingen, St. Germain Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Penny Wiesmann, St. Germain Special Events/PR Coordinator Judy Jurries, and Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett
JEM grants, awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, are presented to non-profit organizations. The state can provide up to 75 percent in funding of a project’s first year costs, and provide support for second and third year projects until they become self-sustaining. This is the second year of the Arctic Warrior Races. For more information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/.
Martinis in May Event in St. Germain
This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a judge at the 4th Annual Martinis in May event at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain. I was joined by my fellow judges, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett and the host of Discover Wisconsin Mariah Haberman. Big thanks to Penny Wiesmann, Executive Director for the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce, for putting on a great event!
Contest Judges: Stephanie Klett, Rep. Swearingen, and Mariah Haberman
Constituent Meetings in Madison
I had the opportunity to meet with Pat Weber, Utility Manager at the Eagle River Light and Water Department, in Madison earlier this week during the Wisconsin Utilities Legislative Day at the Capitol. A topic of interest during our discussion centered around investing in municipal infrastructure to enhance economic development. We also discussed the 2017-2019 state budget as it relates to utilities in Wisconsin. Thanks for making the trip to Madison!
Pat Weber and Rep. Swearingen at the Capitol in Madison
Additionally, I had some good friends from Rhinelander, Paul and Andrea Harkins, make the trip to Madison last week. Thanks for taking the time to visit my office!
Paul Harkins, Rep. Swearingen, and Andrea Harkins at the Capitol in Madison
Despite much of the state receiving at least some rain in the last week, fire danger levels have reached high to very high in far northern and northwestern Wisconsin, prompting Gov. Scott Walker to declare a precautionary state of emergency. People are urged to continue to use caution with all types of outdoor burning, ash disposal and equipment use and to search the DNR website for keyword "fire" to check on conditions and restrictions in their area.
Sunshine and warm brought out lots of anglers for the opening of Wisconsin's inland game fish season last weekend. Anglers took to inland trout streams and lakes, with trout fishing reported as excellent on some inland streams with water levels perfect for fishing. Some lake anglers reported water temperatures were still cool keeping fishing slower, but walleye anglers across the north and on Green Bay found good success with many boats coming back to the dock with fish. There were some reports of bluegills biting on area lakes and crappie fishing was starting to heat up on some of the smaller lakes in central Wisconsin
Fishing pressure on Lake Michigan has been low due to large waves and strong winds off the lake. Small craft advisories were in effect on several days over the last couple of weeks. The water along the shoreline was cloudy/turbid nearly half a mile offshore the majority of the week. Alewives have moved in along shorelines and some rivers and cormorants and terns were diving to feed on them at various locations along the lake. The Saturday of opener brought many bass fishermen out along Door County but high winds influenced anglers to not stay out too long. Some still found success catching 10-plus bass for a half days trip.
Lake Winnebago system fisheries biologists reported that after a fairly short sturgeon run on the upper Fox and Wolf rivers this spring, sturgeon were again observed spawning at locations on the Wolf River in late April. Second runs likely occur annually, but are so short and never as large as the first so are not always observed or reported. This year it was reported and fisheries crews were able to capture and tag an additional 46 fish.
The spring turkey season is in full swing, with many turkey hunters successful so far this spring. Third period hunters reported modest early morning gobbler activity that ended abruptly about two hours after sunrise, then picked back up from late morning into early afternoon. Most hens appear to be on their nests, incubating their clutch of eggs, which averages about 10-12 eggs.
Sharp-tailed grouse have begun their mating dances seen in the early morning at Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area.
After a long stint of northerly winds kept the bulk of spring migrants at bay, the flood gates opened a bit this week, ushering in the first major push of warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, and more. Birders in southern parks and woodlands tallied 25-plus warbler species, while 13-plus species were tallied north to the Lake Superior shore. Orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks are widespread now, with hummingbirds and indigo buntings less common yet. On Lake Superior blue jay migration is nearing peak with more than a thousand tallied in northern Bayfield County on May 10.
Spring beauties, large flowered bellwort, trilliums, bloodroot, dwarf ginseng, Dutchman's breeches, marsh marigolds, jack-in-the-pulpits, bellwort, trout lily and hepatica are blooming. A few morels are up, but experienced mushroom pickers say the weather has been too cool so far this year for the morel mushrooms to grow.
Wildfire Report
Statewide fire danger ranged from Low to Very High this past week; 45 fires burned 38 acres in DNR Protection Areas. Annual burning permits have been periodically suspended. The largest fire of the week burned 20 acres in Shawano County. The main wildfire causes this week included equipment, trash/debris burning, improper ash disposal and a couple power line fires. People are urged to continue to use caution with all types of outdoor burning, ash disposal and equipment use. Property owners are reminded to remain present when burning debris in a barrel or on the ground - should your fire escape, you can be held responsible for the cost of fire suppression and any damages resulting from the escaped fire. Clear an area around the pile or barrel and make sure a hose is attached to a working spigot. Wet down the burned area before leaving. Stay aware of the current fire danger for your area by checking our website: dnr.wi.gov, keyword "fire". May 14 marks the fourth anniversary of the Germann Road Fire that burned 7,442 acres and 100 buildings (including 22 homes and cabins) in Douglas County.
Firewise Tip: Are there any branches or dead trees close to power lines on your property? Ask the power company to clear them. - Joanne Ackerman, wildland urban interface coordinator, Madison
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The spring peepers and wood frogs are trying to be happy, but the recent cold nights have put a damper to their singing. The woodcock are "dancing" even though they are cold and are a thrill to watch if you can get close enough to one. The juncos have moved on and we await the next batch of migrants. Male hummers should be showing up soon, although there is not much blooming for them to feed on. The trees have tiny buds on, the Juneberry have yet to start blooming north of Wausau. Hepaticas and trailing arbutus are winding down in bloom in some spots and just getting started in others. There will be a green explosion soon! The black flies have hatched but it is still a lovely time to be out in the woods! - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
