The State Building Commission met last week to take up several statewide building and maintenance projects. The Higher Education sub-committee met beforehand to approve several projects related to the UW-system.
The full Building Commission chaired by Governor Evers.
The Higher Education sub-committee is tasked with approving projects specific to the UW-system.
Assembly Committee on Rules
I joined the Assembly Committee on Rules meeting last week. The committee is made up of 15 members and is tasked with approving what legislation will be heard on future floor sessions. It’s always a unique opportunity to take part in this committee’s deliberations.
The committee met in the Assembly Parlor room.
National Travel and Tourism Week
The WI Department of Tourism released their 2018 Tourism Report, and it's more good news for Wisconsin! Tourism activity reached $21.6 billion in 2018 with 112 million visitors coming to the state. Visitor spending has increased nearly 45% since 2010.
As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, I had the opportunity to attend several events hosted by the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, including a tour of ArtStart, Pioneer Park Historical Complex and a meet and greet with the Chamber. It was great to see Department of Tourism Secretary-Designee Sara Meaney in attendance as well. I look forward to seeing Wisconsin's tourism industry continue to grow!
Rep. Swearingen, Secretary-designee Meaney (3rd from left) and members of ArtStart touring one of the gallery's.
Secretary-designee wanted to learn more about the legendary Hodag, so the Hodag Store arranged a surprise visit.
Secretary-designee Meaney with Hodag Store owner Ben Brunell.
We were given a fantastic tour of Pioneer Park Historical Complex.
Great meet and greet with Secretary-designee Meaney and leadership of the Tomahawk, Rhinelander and Minocqua Chamber of Commerce's.
Broadband Presentation in Crandon
The Forest County Economic Development Partnership put on a presentation regarding broadband internet service last Friday at Crandon High School. The Forest County Broadband Commission identified the three following priorities to focus on: services, education, and e-health. Broadband expansion remains one of my top priorities in the legislature. I fully support the efforts of the stakeholders in Forest County.
Thank you to Mark Ferris, the Executive Director for the Forest County Economic Development Partnership, for inviting me to the presentation.
Great to see so many members of the community in attendance.
Vilas County Child Support Services Meeting
I had a great meeting with Vilas County Child Support Coordinator Margaret Garsow, as well as Child Support Agency representatives from Bayfield and Door County last week to discuss issues affecting child support services around Wisconsin. County child support agencies provide an invaluable service to our communities, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the current challenges they face.
Thanks again for the great meeting!
Wisconsin Society of Acupuncture Legislative Day
The Wisconsin Society of Acupuncture held their Legislative Day in the Capitol this past week, and I had the opportunity to meet with Vanessa Tippett of Woodruff. Vanessa is a licensed acupuncturist, and we had an interesting discussion regarding the benefits of acupuncture compared to other pain management treatments.
Thanks again for making the trip down to Madison.
Forest County and Tribal Visit
I met with representatives of Forest County and two of Wisconsin’s Indian tribes to discuss a proposal to increase aid. I appreciate the discussion.
Thanks again for stopping by!
2019 Spring Survey Feedback
Great to have received so many Spring Surveys back in the mail. My staff and I are busy reading through the feedback provided. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out a survey. If you didn't get a chance to take the survey, you can still fill one out online by clicking here.
School Group Visit
With the school year wrapping up, the Capitol is getting more and more busy with school groups. Recently, 4th graders from Three Lakes and Sugar Camp Elementary School made the trip down to Madison. I hope everyone enjoyed their tour of the State Capitol!
Wisconsin Historical Society Listening Session
On May 30, 2019, the Wisconsin State Historical Society will be holding a listening session on the planned new State Historical Museum. The listening session will take place in Eagle River at Olson Memorial Library, from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.
Ice is finally off all the lakes in the north, but a mid-week snowstorm dropped 6 to 10 inches of snow from Bayfield to Douglas counties. Widespread rain and even snow in the northwest has lowered current fire danger but earlier in the week 89 wildfires burned 155 acres, destroying three buildings and most were caused by debris burning.
Although there have been continuous fluctuations in the weather, anglers were catching crappie and walleye on the east shore of Lake Winnebago. Crappies are just starting to move into the shallow water in central Wisconsin lakes to spawn. Near Shiocton, recent rain had the Wolf River up near record heights but now the water is beginning to recede and a few walleyes and white bass were being caught.
Some walleye continue to be caught on the Menominee, Peshtigo, Marinette and Oconto rivers but action has slowed from previous weeks. Suckers, northern pike, perch, and muskies were also reported as species caught.
High winds and rain at the start of the week kept a lot of boats off Green Bay. Temperatures rose, and conditions calmed considerably by the weekend and high numbers of anglers and boats were going out of the launches. Most anglers were interested mainly in walleye and bass but success was low. Success was a bit better along the bay side of Door County with anglers averaging two to three walleyes.
Anglers trolling Lake Michigan out of Kewaunee were catching brown trout on crankbaits and spoons. After a quiet week, the McKinley Marina in Milwaukee was fairly busy on the weekend with anglers coming in reporting browns and coho caught in the harbor. Anglers launching out of Racine and Kenosha were targeting coho salmon, with one boat bringing about a half dozen coho, along with a few brown trout as well.
Turkeys have quieted and gobbling activity has decreased with many hens apparently in nesting mode as they were wandering around by themselves. But grouse are drumming. Fawns should start to drop over the next week or so. Sandhill cranes, wood ducks, and Canada geese are fledging young across the south. Up north, young Canada jays were seen already in Ashland County.
Bloodroot and spring beauty were blooming in Ashland County before being covered with snow. Wild geranium leaves are out and may apples are fully emerged in the south, where morel reports have also started coming in; this weekend should be excellent for them to really pop. The invasive garlic mustard is bolting - if you pull it, bag it now or it will still have enough energy to produce seed.
Backyards across southern Wisconsin were alive this week with Baltimore and orchard orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, ruby-throated hummingbirds, as well as the first indigo buntings and scarlet tanagers enjoying orange halves, jelly dishes, and nectar feeders. Warbler reports out of Milwaukee were especially spectacular, including 24 species seen early in the week, a rare yellow-throated warbler among them.
The Horicon Marsh Bird Club is hosting the 22nd annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival (exit DNR) May 9-13, the oldest bird festival in Wisconsin. Birding tours by boat, bus and on foot, bird banding demonstration, and many more activities are planned.
It's Mother's Day weekend and in honor of moms a special OutWiGo Girls event will be held Saturday in beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit, with wildflower hikes, inspiring talks, bike rides, nature crafts and more [PDF] , this day of fun is fit for OutWiGo Girls and families of all ages.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The forest is slowly trying to awaken to spring. Red maples are blooming, pussy willows are ripening and the ice is finally off the lakes, with just a few snow piles in the extremely shaded areas. All the migrants are returning to the Northwoods except for the hummingbirds at this point. They must know that there is not much out there for them to eat! Water everywhere is still the theme of the week, with more coming. Trails will be soggy. It is a great time of the year to pick up litter and recyclables before the grass and understory cover them up. A random act of kindness goes a long way. - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
