Thank you to everyone who attended my listening sessions in the Minocqua, Eagle River and Rhinelander this past week. It was a pleasure to see and hear from all of you. Sen. Tiffany and I held these joint listening sessions to meet with constituents. All three of the listening sessions were well attended and we discussed a number of topics that pertain to this legislative session. It was great to hear everyone’s feedback on the issues that directly impact the residents of the 34th Assembly District.
Minocqua Listening Session
Eagle River Listening Session
Rhinelander Listening Session
In addition, we had a chance to hear from members of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) in Minocqua and Eagle River regarding their priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Libraries are an integral part of our communities and I appreciate their continuous efforts to help the local residents in the Northwoods.
Rep. Swearingen and Sen. Tiffany with WVLS Members
Transportation Funding
Last week, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau notified the Legislature that the state will have an additional $2 billion over the current base budget in the next budget cycle. As a result, Assembly Republicans announced a platform for the upcoming budget that will center on tax relief in addition to a first step in addressing the transportation shortfall.
The Assembly Republicans are calling for at least $300 million in tax relief coupled with transportation cost savings, reforms and a corresponding increase in transportation revenue. This plan meets the Governor’s criteria and would also allow for an increase in funding for education and workforce readiness.
If you would like to read the press release issued by Assembly Republican Leadership, please click here.
The Governor is set to release his initial budget proposal within the next couple of weeks. At that point, his proposal will be reviewed by both the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) as well as the legislature in the coming months.
Lt. Governor at Nicolet College
On Tuesday, January 24, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch visited Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander to highlight a $27,000 entrepreneur support grant that Nicolet was awarded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The grant will be used to expand entrepreneurial training mentorship and support for the Nicolet College District. Specifically, this project will focus on expanding the Nicolet Entrepreneurial Training program to different regions in the district and will help in developing partnerships to create a regional Entrepreneurial Resource network.
Lt. Governor Speaking at Nicolet College
Credit Union Legislative Day
Representatives from various Credit Unions, including Rhinelander and Wisconsin Rapids, recently came to visit me at the Capitol. We had a great discussion about how Credit Unions are positively impacting communities in our state. Thanks for making the trip to Madison!
Rep. Swearingen with Credit Union Representatives in the Governor's Conference Room
Dairy Business Association Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, January 18, the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association presented its Legislative Excellence Award to Legislators who show their support for the state’s dairy industry. I am honored to have received this award for the second consecutive session.
Eagle River Snowmobile Derby
I had the opportunity to attend the 54th annual AMSOIL World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River last Friday night. This race is one of the highest-ranking winter sports events in the Midwest and gets over 40,000 visitors annually. It was great to see all those who braved the weather to cheer on the racers. Always a fun event to attend!
Rep. Swearingen and Sen. Tiffany at the World Championship Derby
100th Anniversary State Capitol Centennial Kick-off Celebration
Next Tuesday, January 31st at 10 a.m. the 100th Centennial Kick-off Celebration will be held in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Governor Scott Walker is the keynote speaker and former Governor Tommy Thompson will be the featured guest. In addition, all current and former legislative leaders, governors and Supreme Court justices have been invited to the ceremony.
For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).
A mid-week snowstorm dropped from 2 to 6 inches of snow, mostly across southwestern and central Wisconsin, with only dusting reported in the northern and southeastern portions of the state.
The snow was wet and heavy and is expected to pack down and not greatly improve snowmobile conditions. As of Thursday fewer than a dozen counties in northern and northeastern Wisconsin were reporting trails open on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR), with conditions ranging from poor to good.
The snow did improve cross-country ski conditions in some areas, with properties in western to central Wisconsin able to groom trails, but generally not able to set tracks. The snow was timely for the Red Cedar River State Trail, which will hold its candlelight event this Friday, with a 1-mile ski or hike out to the illuminated ice wall along the trail. The trail was packed for skiing or hiking.
Parking vouchers were going fast this week for a candlelight event at the Lapham Peak Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest on Saturday, which is being limited to 450 vehicles. The free parking vouchers must be picked up at the forest office prior to the event. Additional candlelight events will be held this Saturday at the Black River State Forest, Hartman Creek State Park and Stower Seven Lakes State Trail. Events were cancelled due to poor trail conditions at Whitefish Dunes State Park and Point Beach State Forest. For a complete list of candlelight events, search the DNR website for keyword "candlelight."
Ice conditions deteriorated across the state after last week's warm temperatures and rain, with reports of ice angles and vehicles going through the ice at various locations. The colder weather may start to firm up ice again, but currently conditions remain treacherous on many waters.
There have still been some folks out fishing on northern lakes, with reports of some walleyes, crappies, perch and northern pike.
On Green Bay anglers reported cracks, many of them large and miles long, so people need to know local ice conditions before heading out. The ice breaker and ships were out in full force this past week to get the last of the ships into Sturgeon Bay before ice breaking concludes for the year.
The Menominee River has been producing walleye, crappie, whitefish and a few perch. Anglers were having some success catching whitefish around the mouth of the Oconto River and pike anglers were having success off the Oconto Breakwater. Anglers were out by the dozens last weekend off Door County, with some reporting good catches and others not the best of luck. Anglers out for whitefish reported a pretty steady bite all week and the perch anglers reported off and on success.
A heavy crust of ice has formed on top of the snow in many northern areas, making it difficult for even deer to maneuver through it. Bucks are being seen with either one antler missing or both having been shed and some people are taking advantage of low snow conditions to go shed hunting. This weekend is the last chance for squirrel and grouse hunters as those seasons close January 31.
The past week's warmth kicked many resident bird species, including cardinals, chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers, into song as if spring were approaching. Sightings of American robins and eastern bluebirds have been more frequent across the state this winter, likely due to reduced snow cover and extensive fruit resources. Great horned owls, the state's earliest nesting species, are getting ready to lay eggs
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The State forest only got a dusting of snow, so trails are hard and icy. Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of changing ice and snow conditions as they venture out skiing, snowshoeing and fishing. More normal temperatures are predicted for the weekend leaving a new crust on the settled snow! - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
The warmer weather has left the trails with a very moist base of snow. The cooler temps that are here now may improve the conditions. I attempted to groom the Raven trail Wednesday and ended up getting stuck on the first hill on the Red loop with snow packing up in the groomer. I then made an attempt to just track the inner loops without cutting up the old track and the results were not very good. The groomer for the Escanaba trail was out Thursday to see what he can do with the snow conditions out there. We will make efforts to get the trails groomed for the weekend. Please have patience. - Tony Martinez, trails coordinator
Florence DNR at the Florence Natural Resource Center
Florence and Forest counties - Snowmobile and ski trails are open, and are considered in poor-to-good condition, trails may be icy. Lakes in Florence County have a thick slush layer on top of the ice but lakes are generally in fishable condition, navigation may be tough. - Gregory Matzke, fisheries biologist, Florence
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
