On Tuesday, January 10, Governor Walker addressed the citizens of Wisconsin with his seventh State of the State address.
I am pleased with the goals that Governor Walker highlighted in his speech. Today, the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in more than 15 years; taxes have been reduced by $4.7 billion since 2011; and the state has invested more resources this past year into college and career readiness initiatives, such as the creation of Fab Labs. I am proud to say that the 34th Assembly District has more Fab Labs than any other district in the state. The Fab Labs are located in the Rhinelander, Florence, Northland Pines and Three Lakes school districts.
Governor Walker giving his State of the State Address
I was also very encouraged to hear that the Governor remains committed to helping rural schools that face the unique challenges of declining enrollment, limited broadband access and high transportation costs. This continues to be a top priority of mine heading into this session and I am eager for the opportunity to work with the Governor and my colleagues in the legislature to address these issues.
Click the photo above to view Rep. Swearingen's reaction to the State of the State
If you were unable to watch the State of the State Address, please visit the Governor's Website to view it.
Inauguration
The 2017-2018 Legislative Session reconvened on Tuesday, January 3rd.
It is an honor to begin my third term serving the residents of the Northwoods. During my second term in office, we were able to make great strides in addressing issues that directly impact the people of the 34th District. I voted to increase funding for our rural schools, pushed for more broadband expansion grants in underserved areas, and supported legislation that addresses Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as the heroin and opioid epidemic affecting our state.
Rep. Swearingen signing Assembly Journal on Inauguration Day.
I look forward to the opportunity to once again represent Northwoods values in Madison. My staff and I are here to help assist you with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding state government. Please feel free to contact my office at any time.
For the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, I have been reappointed to serve as the chairman of the Assembly Committee on State Affairs. In addition, I will serve as a member on the Assembly committees on Tourism, Environment and Forestry, Small Business Development, Tax Exemptions as well as the State Building Commission.
The Swearingen Family and Friends on Inauguration Day!
The 34th Assembly District represents all of Florence County, and portions of Vilas, Oneida, and Forest counties.
Rep. Swearingen and Sen. Tiffany Announce Joint Listening Sessions
Senator Tiffany, Representatives Felzkowski (Czaja), Swearingen, and Mursau Announce Joint Listening Sessions
Madison—State Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) will be holding joint listening sessions for constituents on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th with state Representatives Mary Felzkowski (Czaja) (R-Irma), Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander), and Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz).
“I am eager to talk with the people of the Northwoods about the upcoming legislative session,” said Tiffany. “These listening sessions allow me to hear from my district’s residents on various policy areas, including the state budget.”
“I believe that it is important to maintain face-to-face communication with the constituents in my district,” Swearingen said. “I appreciate the input that comes out of these listening sessions and enjoy traveling with Senator Tiffany throughout the district,” Swearingen concluded.
“One of the most important jobs for the legislature each biennium is the state budget,” Felzkowski (Czaja) said. “I look forward to hearing from our districts’ residents on how we can develop that budget, as well as any other thoughts and ideas on what we can be doing to meet the needs of our region.”
“Listening sessions are one of the best ways we can connect directly with our constituents,” said Mursau. “I appreciate the willingness on their part to come and talk with us about the issues that matter to them.”
Monday, January 23 (Sen. Tiffany and Rep. Swearingen):
9:30-10:30am – Minocqua Session
Minocqua Public Library
415 Menominee Street
Minocqua, WI 54548
12:00-1:00pm – Eagle River Session
Olson Memorial Library
150 E Hospital Road
Eagle River, WI 54521
3:00-4:00pm – Rhinelander Session
Nicolet College
Northwoods Center – Room 207
5364 College Drive
Winter in the Northwoods
With the recent snowfall in the Northwoods this past week, it looks like we are gearing up to have a strong winter for our tourism industry. For those of you heading out to snowmobile, ice fish or catch a local event, enjoy your weekend!
Freshly Groomed Snowmobile Trails for the Weekend!
Tomorrow, the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Artic Warrior Race. The day will consist of an Artic Warrior 1k for kids and an 8k Snowshoe race that will go through trails in St. Germain. There will also be an Artic Warrior 8k obstacle course race that will go through Little St. Germain Lake. The obstacle course challenge is a team event so you are encouraged to bring all of your friends!
UW-Madison Memorial Union Tour
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to tour the renovated Memorial Union at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As chairman of the High Education Subcommittee of the State Building Commission, the committee voted this past August to provide funding for Phase II of the renovation. The Memorial Union is an iconic building along Lake Mendota that is to home to a number university events that foster a strong learning environment for students at UW-Madison. Thank you to Mark Guthier, Director of the Memorial Union, for showing us around!
Rep. Swearingen and Mark Guthier at the Memorial Union
For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).
Recent snows across the northern half of the state and colder temperatures statewide have improved winter recreation conditions in many areas. Snowmobile trails are now open or partially open in roughly the northern half of the state on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report. Cross-country ski trails are also open in about the northern half of the state, with recent snowfalls of up to 10 inches creating some very good ski conditions.
Temperatures were cold enough to provide good ice in most of Lake Winnebago, with reports of over a foot of ice. Ice fishermen have been catching some perch with white bass being caught at some of the deeper locations.Cold temperatures have firmed up ice conditions statewide, but there are still some highly variable conditions, with reports of vehicles going through the ice in the last week. There have been reports of some walleyes, crappies and northern pike caught on northern and southern lakes and anglers have been targeting panfish on many waters.
Along Lake Michigan the ice formations in and around the mouth of the Peshtigo River resemble dragons teeth and are very difficult to navigate at this time. Anglers report catching panfish, walleye, and some whitefish out of Marinette. A few perch, white fish and pike are being caught at and around the mouth of the Oconto River. In Brown County, anglers at Voyageur Park in De Pere report some success catching walleye, whitefish, and some perch.
Many anglers flocked to the Little Sturgeon Bay area this weekend with mixed success reported for whitefish and perch. There is really thick ice is in some spots from the ice shoves. The Sawyer Harbor area produced good reports for perch and whitefish with some smelt being caught.
The hardier birds such as the juncos, snow buntings, woodpeckers, blue jays, crows and eagles are eating seeds, insects under the tree bark or carrion along the roadsides. The great horned owls continue to hoot and claim territories. Rough-legged hawks continue to be prevalent and sporadic reports of snowy owls are coming in with recent sightings in Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Outagamie, and Brown counties.
Large winter roosts of American crows numbering up to several thousand crows have been reported in the Viroqua area. As dusk approaches, crows begin gathering in communal roosts, and may be very active and noisy as these social birds take time to settle into the roost for the night.
A section of the Trempealeau River remains open and some migrating trumpeter swans and other waterfowl are still being seen, while open water at Lakeshore State Park is currently home to scaup, goldeneye, buffleheads, mergansers and the occasional long-tailed ducks.
January's full moon occurs tonight and is known as the Wolf Moon. This month's full moon was named for the howling wolf packs that could be heard in the long, cold mid-winter nights.
Many events are taking place this weekend including Bald Eagle Days at Sauk City-Prairie du Sac, full moon hikes at Horicon Marsh on Friday and Devil's Lake on Saturday, a winter snowshoe animal tracking hike at the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine and a candlelight snowshoe hike at Rib Mountain on Saturday. A candlelight ski scheduled for Lake Kegonsa State Park on Saturday has been rescheduled to Feb.11 because trails are currently very icy. For a complete list of events search the DNR website for "Get Outdoors."
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The forest is finally getting that great snowfall to provide a good base for outdoor recreation! It is a beautiful winter wonderland out there so please get out and enjoy it. Crosse country ski trails, snowshoe trails and snowmobile trails should be in super shape with the 8-plus inches of new snowfall. - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
Cross-country ski trails are in very good to excellent condition. The forest received about 10-12 inches of mid week snow. Escanaba and McNaughton trails were leveled and tracked Jan. 11 and Madeline and Raven trails were scheduled to be groomed Jan. 12. - Tony Martinez, Trails Coordinator
Community Events!
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
