This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison. Last Tuesday, January 31, there was an official kick-off ceremony for the activities and events for the yearlong celebration.
It was great to see all of the former legislators, Governors and staff attending the ceremony. Governor Scott Walker was the keynote speaker and we had the pleasure of hearing from former Governor Tommy Thompson.
If you would like to watch the entire 100th Anniversary Ceremony, you can access it on the WisconsinEye website.
The Capitol continues to be one the top tourist destinations in the state of Wisconsin. As I walk into the building each week, I am always reminded of what a special place this is to work. If you haven’t already, I would highly suggest taking a tour of the Capitol when you are in Madison next.
Sen. Roth, Governor Walker and Speaker Vos display 100th Anniversary Citation
State Budget Address
For the next four months, legislators will work on the spending plan for the state’s next two years. On Wednesday, Governor Walker released his 2017-2018 state budget proposal. During Governor Walker’s address, I was very encouraged by his emphasis on rural schools.
The Governor’s rural education plan, Every Student Matters, will provide greater support for Wisconsin’s rural schools through an increase per-pupil funding, a record increase in transportation and sparsity aid, school district flexibility, and additional investments in broadband, technology and Fab Labs.
Governor Walker delivering State Budget Address
It is encouraging to see the Governor’s commitment to rural schools and the unique challenges that they face on a daily basis. A number of the provisions that are included in the Governor’s budget proposal, such as increased transportation aid and broadband investment, were major points of discussion during the Rural School’s Task Force that I chaired a few years ago. It’s exciting to see those past discussions turn into realities.
I am also happy to hear that the Governor has proposed a $509.2 million increase in per-pupil state aid that will be distributed outside of the general school funding formula. This represents a $200 per-pupil increase in 2017-2018 and $204 increase in 2018-19 that will be guaranteed to each student in my district. To read the Governor’s increased funding proposal for K-12 education, please click here.
The Governor included the following in his Every Student Matters plan:
$509.2 million increase in per-pupil state aid routed outside of the traditional funding formula
100% reimbursement for rural school districts in the High-Cost Transportation Aid program
Increase Sparsity Aid by $20 million
Increase broadband expansion grant program by roughly $13 million
Increase funding for TEACH program by $22.5 million
Increase opportunity to recruit and retain teachers
Increase flexibility through school district shared services
Allocates $1 million over the two year budget for the Fab Lab grant program
Click on the picture above to watch Rep. Swearingen's Budget Reaction Video
I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) in the upcoming budget cycle on these important issues.
Governor Walker announces Rural Schools Plan in Crandon
Northwoods Fab Lab Tour
Did you know our area is a state and national leader in Fab Labs? You may know it, but we wanted to show others from around the state how fortunate that we have this great resource for our students and businesses. On Thursday, February 2, rural and urban legislators, school district superintendents and Milwaukee School District officials gathered in the 34th Assembly District to tour several Fab Labs and discuss rural and urban educational issues. The group started the tour at the Three Lakes school district and followed with visits to the Northland Pines school district in Eagle River and the Florence school district.
It was encouraging that the Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, Dr. Darienne Driver, and a number of her colleagues were able to make the trip to the Northwoods. The tour provided a great opportunity to show urban legislators and school district officials some of the strengths of rural schools as well as some of the unique challenges that they face. The group, consisting of over 30 people, had a great conversation throughout day and discussed a number of similarities between both rural and urban schools.
If you would like to view the WJFW NEWSWATCH 12 story of the Fab Lab tour, please click here.
Northwoods Fab Lab Tour Group
Fab Labs are centers where students can learn about and participate in the fabrication of different materials and items. From being able to design an item to then creating it with a 3D printer, Fab Labs are quickly becoming a popular addition to school curriculum's because of what students can learn about engineering and material processing.
The growth of Fab Labs have been made possible by the state’s Fabrication Laboratories Grant Program. Under the program, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible Wisconsin public school districts or up to $50,000 to groupings of two or more public school districts. These grants allow school districts to purchase equipment, construct the Fab Labs and prepare students for jobs in the 21st Century.
Three Lakes Fab Lab Student Presentation
I want thank Dr. Driver and her colleagues, the Northwoods school district superintendents, rural and urban legislators, and all interested stakeholders who attended the Northwoods Fab Lab Tour! I would also like to thank Three Lakes, Northland Pines and Florence for hosting our group.
Rep. Swearingen talking with a student at the Florence Fab Lab
Assembly State Affairs Committee Update
Most of the heavy lifting in creating legislation is at the committee level. I am proud that I was reappointed to serve as the chairman of the Assembly Committee on State Affairs. Last Wednesday, February 1, the committee held our first public hearing on Assembly Bill 28, a bill that will make a technical fix to the concealed carry renewal process. Currently, concealed carry license holders are required to be mailed a notice of expiration and a renewal application by the Department of Justice 90 days before a license is set to expire. Also, under current state statute, the licenses go into effect as soon as they are approved, thus the license holder may not receive a full 5 years that they are supposed to be guaranteed. This bill simply fixes this oversight by stating that concealed carry license renewals begin at the end of the previous license, not when a renewal application is approved.
Assembly Bill 28: relating to, expiration dates of renewed licenses to carry a concealed weapon.
State Affairs Committee Hearing
I will continue to provide updates on the State Affairs Committee as we meet throughout the 2017-2018 legislative session.
Additionally, I recently had the opportunity to meet with Mike Steffes, former Police Chief for the city of Rhinelander regarding Assembly Bill 28. Mike is currently working for the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Division of Law Enforcement Services and testified during the State Affairs hearing. It was great to catch up with Mike and discuss legislation pertaining to his new role at the DOJ.
Rep. Swearingen and Mike Steffes
Assembly Tourism Committee Update
One of the most important industries in our area and the state is tourism. That’s why I am so glad that I’m continuing to serve on the Assembly Committee on Tourism. On Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Tourism had an informational hearing to start this session. The committee heard from members of the Department of Tourism, including Secretary Stephanie Klett, Deputy Secretary Sarah Klavas, and Department of Tourism staff. They briefed the committee on Wisconsin’s tourism industry and presented a summary of the department’s annual report. During the hearing, I was very encouraged to hear about the successes of the departments marketing campaigns and the high revenue that it has generated. If you would like to view some of the Department of Tourism video promotions, please click on the links below.
Rep. Swearingen asking questions during the Tourism hearing
The statistics below highlight the positive impact that tourism has had on Wisconsin over the past few years. You can also view these numbers at the Department of Tourism website.
Tourism had a $19.3 billion impact on the state's economy in 2015, up nearly $1 billion, or 4.4% from $18.5 billion in 2014. The total five-year growth of tourism activity is over $4.5 billion, a 30% increase from $14.8 billion.
For every $1 the Department spent on summer and fall advertising in 2015, $8 was returned to the state in additional tax revenue.
Visitor growth topped 105.2 million in 2015, a five-year increase of 12.7 million.
Per trip spending increased 4.4% in 2015, led by lodging with 7.3% growth from 2014.
The tourism economy generated $1.5 billion in state and local revenue and $1.1 billion in federal taxes.
Each household in Wisconsin would need to be taxed an additional $640 per year to replace the revenue tourism generates for state and local governments.
Tourism directly and indirectly supports 190,717 jobs in Wisconsin, a five-year addition of more than 18,700 jobs to the state's total employment.
As a legislator who represents an area with a strong tourism base, I am really excited to be a member of this committee for my third consecutive term. I look forward to working with members of the Tourism Committee this session to pass meaningful reforms that enhance the industry statewide. The growth of tourism ultimately means more jobs and tax revenues for not only the Northwoods, but also for the state as a whole.
Rep. Swearingen and Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) Tour
What great schools we have in the Northwoods! On Friday, February 3rd, I had the opportunity to tour Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. Superintendent of Lakeland Union, Jim Bouché, took me around the school and provided information about their energy efficient solar panels, various student programs, high-tech computer labs and much more. It was great to drop in on some classrooms and see firsthand what students are able to learn with different pieces of technology.
I would like to thank Jim Bouché for taking the time to show me around LUHS!
Rep. Swearingen testing out zSpace Technology
Rep. Swearingen observing students in the classroom at LUHS
Jim Bouché, Rep. Swearingen, and Andrew Becker
Expera Specialty Solutions Visits the Capitol
It was Papermakers Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday. I had a chance to visit with Russ Wanke, President and CEO of Expera Specialty Solutions, the group that owns the Rhinelander paper mill. We had an opportunity to talk about the exciting changes at the Rhinelander facility as it relates to the purchase and renovations of the old Printpack building on Kemp St. in Rhinelander. Thanks for stopping by the office!
Rep. Swearingen and Russ Wanke
Wisconsin Towns Association District Meeting
The Wisconsin Towns Association held its annual district meeting in Minocqua last week Friday. I had the opportunity to address the audience and take questions afterwards with Senator Tiffany and Representative Meyers. We discussed a number of topics ranging from transportation and sales tax to broadband and cellular towns. Thank you to everyone that attended the meeting. It was a great discussion!
Wisconsin State Highway Maps Available
New 2017-2018 Wisconsin state highway maps have been delivered to my office in the State Capitol.
My office will be happy to provide you with a copy. Supplies are limited, please send me an e-mail or call my office to reserve your copy. My office number is 608-266-7141 or you can call toll-tree at 888-534-0034. As always, feel free to e-mail my office at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov.
Please provide your name, home address and phone number when you request your highway map.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!