The Assembly was in session this week to debate and vote on several bills. On the agenda was a package of bills to protect the rights of the unborn. I am proud to have voted in favor of AB 179 which protects the rights of born-alive babies following attempted abortions, AB 182 which prohibits sex-selective and disability-selective abortions, and AB 180 which provides informed consent regarding certain abortion-inducing drug regimens.
Another bill I was proud to support yesterday was Assembly Joint Resolution 1, also known as Marsy’s Law. This bill will expand the legal rights of crime victims and give them options to better protect themselves and their families. As the bill amends the state’s constitution, a statewide referendum question will be placed on a future ballot.
Fab Lab Day
This past Monday marked Fab Lab Day in Wisconsin, and I was thrilled to see Three Lakes School District receive a $20,640 grant and the Lakeland Consortium receive a $41,000 grant. I had the opportunity to join school administrators, teachers and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation VP of Business and Community Development Barb LaMue at Three Lakes High School for the grant presentation.
Fab Labs provide students with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills that are transferable to today’s job market. It’s great to see students embrace this program, and I look forward to seeing Fab Labs continue to expand throughout the state. Congratulations again to Three Lakes and the Lakeland Consortium for earning these well-deserved grants.
Three Lakes Fab Lab Director Dr. Steve Yahr, State Representative Swearingen, and Three Lakes District Administrator Dr. George Karling.
Great to have the chance to speak with students and faculty.
Congratulations to LUHS District Administrator Rob Way and the Lakeland Consortium.
Some of the student's work on display.
Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants
I had the opportunity to meet with Paula Havesto, a Physician Assistant from my district, during the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistant’s annual legislative day. We had a good conversation regarding the groups legislative priorities this session and the possible benefits in rural areas of expanding PA roles and responsibilities.
Thanks again for making the trip down to Madison.
Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network
I had a great meeting with constituents from Vilas, Florence, and Oneida counties as part of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network legislative day. WAAN seeks to improve the quality of life for Wisconsin’s older adults. We spoke about initiatives to expand the dementia care specialist program and ways to increase specialized transportation funding. I appreciate the meeting!
Great to see so many people passionate about helping the elderly. Thank you for all you do!
Additional State Tax Revenue
Wisconsin’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced this week that the state took in an additional $753 million in tax revenue, mostly due to changes in corporate tax collections. This is great news for Wisconsin, and it shows how conservative principles lead to sound fiscal management. Assembly Republicans intend to use these funds to provide tax relief, grow the rainy day fund or pay down the debt.
The snow that fell across northwestern Wisconsin last week was all gone within a few days. Rain last week helped with green up, but there were still 51 wildfires in the last week that burned 82 acres, including a significant wildfire occurred in the Woodruff Area and burned approximately 40 acres. More rain is in the forecast but as of Thursday there was still high fire danger in the northeast and northwest.
Fish have been very active on Lake Superior. Fisherman are coming off the big lake with their bags full of a variety of species. Crappies are biting on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and bass should be hitting hard this weekend. Inland trout fishing has been quite good in spots in central Wisconsin.
Walleye runs on Lake Michigan tributaries have pretty much come to an end and fish have moved back out to the bay and most anglers have followed. Walleye fishing was slower along the west shore but anglers fishing out of Brown County were still reporting catching two to three fish. Fishing pressure was the highest of the year on the east shore with anglers fishing from Ellison Bay down to Sturgeon Bay. Those trolling for walleyes had a tough week but anglers jigging for walleyes managed to catch a few, with a few whitefish mixed in.
Nice weather over the weekend brought many anglers out of southeastern harbors. Anglers were spending all day out on the lake but, success was limited. Coho salmon were the main fish being caught along with a few lake trout were caught as well.
On Monday, May 20 DNR fisheries staff along with interested stakeholders will begin the process to shape the course of future fisheries management on Lake Michigan. Staff will present the latest Lake Michigan survey information and seek input on future fisheries management initiatives. The meeting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland. For more information see Lake Michigan Meetings.
Tom turkeys have slowed down gobbling, but there are still plenty of birds strutting so hunters should continue to find success during the fifth period. Cow elks have started wandering out on their own looking for a safe place to calve. Wood and chorus frogs and spring peepers are croaking and peeping. Black flies are out in force in the Northwoods and mosquitos have hatched. Following a cool spring, wildflowers are just beginning to appear in the north, including marsh marigold, wild strawberry, wood violet, hepaticas and wood anemone. Morels are starting to pop now even in the north.
Warbler migration is nearing peak in south and central Wisconsin after a big flight into the region on May 15: 28 species were reported in Milwaukee, 26 species at in Brown, 24 in Dunn, and similarly numbers in Dane and Marathon counties, and elsewhere.
Visitors to Devil's Lake this weekend will find Wisconsin's busiest state park is going to be even busier, as it plays host to the 2019 Big Ten Women's Rowing Championships. Eight teams compete in Big Ten rowing and between crew members and staff and team families and spectators, the park will see thousands more visitors than on a typical spring weekend. There will be closed areas of the park on and off water on Saturday as teams prepare and on Championship Sunday.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
