On Wednesday, I testified in front of the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues on a bill I authored: Senate Bill 353.
SB353 is related to the use of whip lights on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs). A whip light is a series of lights arranged vertically along a flexible rod that is attached to an ATV or UTV.
Under current state law, no person can operate an ATV or UTV that is equipped with:
Any color light other than white or amber visible from front
Any color of light other than red, yellow, amber, or white that is visible from the rear
Any flashing, oscillating or rotating light in a color other than yellow
SB353 would update the state statute by allowing riders to use colors other than the ones listed above as well as allowing them to display fixed or oscillating lights. The only prohibited lights that riders cannot use are flashing red or blue lights, so that they do not appear as law enforcement or emergency vehicles.
This bill will give ATV/UTV riders more freedom and choice with what types of lights they can display on their vehicles. I am hopeful that the Governor will sign this into law should it reach his desk.
Opioid Settlement
This week, we found out that Wisconsin could receive up to $400 million as part of a national legal settlement over the opioid crisis. Local government litigators reached a tentative settlement agreement with drug manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.
I am glad that the Legislature's bipartisan legislation, 2021 Wisconsin Act 57, will help facilitate the quick delivery of opioid settlement funds to the front lines of prevention and mitigation efforts.
As the opioid epidemic has caused serious damage to communities in Wisconsin and across the country, I am hopeful that this settlement and legislation signifies a turning point in our state's fight against opioid addiction.
Workforce Shortage Update
Last week, Governor Evers acknowledged something that businesses, communities, and legislative Republicans have been telling him for over a year: we have a dire workforce crisis in our state.
After all this time, the Governor finally announced that he plans to invest $130 million in federal stimulus funds to help unemployed people find work and address the ongoing workforce shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This news comes two weeks after Governor Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 336, which would have ended the state's participation in enhanced federal unemployment bonus payments of $300 per week and institute a work search requirement for unemployment insurance. This common-sense legislation would have significantly saved taxpayer funds and quickly helped solve the unemployment issue.
While I am glad that this issue is finally being addressed, I am disappointed that the Governor's solution to unemployment and the workforce shortage is to create more government programs. Instead of forcing more and more people to be dependent on the government, we should focus on removing barriers that prevent people from returning to work before even more Wisconsin businesses close their doors forever.
Advanced Welding Institute Tour
(Pictured left to right: Kathy Huber, Caleb Hansen, Laura Bianucci, Chase Stephenson, Brady Millan)
Last Thursday, I toured the Advanced Welding institute (AWI) in Eagle River.
AWI is a trade school that specializes in accelerated welding programs and teaches its students marketable skills through their hands-on, quality training.
Thank you to the faculty and staff for giving such an informative, impactful tour of their facilities.
Milwaukee Bucks Are World Champions!
For the first time in 50 years, the Milwaukee Bucks are your NBA Champions!
I am very proud that the Bucks have finally brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to the great state of Wisconsin.
This is a huge win for not only the City of Milwaukee, but communities around the state who were able to recover some of their losses from the past year due to businesses being closed.
Congratulations to the Milwaukee Bucks! #BucksIn6
Travel Wisconsin Trail Report
All biking and hiking trails are now open. Please click here to view the Wisconsin Trail Report.
ATV/ UTV Trails & Information
Please visit the Travel Wisconsin website for information pertaining to ATV/UTV trails in your area.
For more information on ATV/UTVs from the DNR, please click here.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!