On Tuesday, Governor Evers vetoed six election reform bills that would have tremendously improved the integrity, fairness, and transparency in our elections process in Wisconsin. To say I am disappointed at the Governor's misguided decision would be an understatement. Here are the bills that the Governor vetoed:
Senate Bill 203: Relating to: the secure delivery of absentee ballots and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 204: Relating to: absentee ballot applications, unsolicited mailing or transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, canvassing absentee ballots, electronic voter registration, and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 205: Relating to: absentee voting in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 210: Relating to: election observers and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 212: Relating to: defects on absentee ballot certificates, certain kinds of election fraud, and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 292: Relating to: broadcasting election night proceedings.
Instead of taking the necessary steps to restore trust in our elections, the Governor has cast even more doubt and failed to take the proper steps to improve our electoral process in Wisconsin.
While Governor Evers has failed to take election reform seriously, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is taking action. Last week, the Speaker announced that he is expanding both the size, scope, and timeframe of the investigation into the 2020 presidential election and appointed former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman as Special Counsel. This investigation is in addition to the statewide election audit that is currently being conducted by the Legislative Audit Bureau.
It is imperative that we continue to work hard to restore the integrity of our elections through the statewide audit and investigation into the 2020 election. Through this audit and investigation, we aim to ensure that every vote will be counted and laws regarding future elections will be faithfully and uniformly followed.
Police Reform Update
In the past couple of months, the bipartisan Joint Task Force on Racial Disparities crafted a number of police reform bills aimed at strengthening law enforcement standards and providing expanded transparency. While most of these bills passed both legislative chambers and were signed into law by Governor Evers, Senate Bill 119 was vetoed last Friday.
SB119 would have decreased shared revenue payments to municipalities based on decreased funding for law enforcement. This important bill would have sent a clear message to municipalities considering defunding their police departments and would have encouraged them to continue supporting their law enforcement officers. At a time when law enforcement needs not only our support, but also the funding and resources necessary to serve and protect, the Governor once again turned his back on them.
I am disappointed that Governor Evers is siding with the defund the police movement rather than supporting the brave men and women that risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe.
DWD Awards Grant To Tomahawk Live Trap
Congratulations to Tomahawk Live Trap of Hazelhurst for being awarded a Department of Workforce Development's Fast Forward grant of $20,000!
This grant will tremendously help Tomahawk Live Trap by providing 216 hours of training to 40 employees focused on continuous improvement and Six Sigma.
This is great news for Tomahawk Live Trap and the Northwoods trapping community, as this will allow them to continue providing stellar animal traps, cages, and handling equipment for years to come.
Annual State Fair Building Commission Meeting
On Wednesday, I attended the annual State Building Commission Meeting at the Wisconsin State Fair. We approved approximately $92.6 million in key projects across the state, helping numerous universities and facilities improve and maintain their infrastructure.
Fellow Building Commission member Rep. Bob Wittke and I also stopped by the Travel Wisconsin booth to show our continued support for Wisconsin's tourism industry!
Everyone knows that the cream puff is the most popular food at the state fair and I was lucky enough to get myself a picture with the mascot!
Thanks to the State Fair leadership and its employees for putting on a wonderful in-person fair this year and keeping this incredible Wisconsin tradition alive!
Bearskin Trail Meeting
On Monday, Sen. Felzkowski and I attended the Town of Cassian Board Meeting in support of the proposed bridge renovation project on the Bearskin State Trail.
The Bearskin State Trail has been a major thoroughfare for snowmobile and ATV/UTV riders connecting the towns of Minocqua and Tomahawk. This bridge, located in the Town of Cassian, has been in need of repairs for several years and it is finally getting the attention it deserves.
At the town board meeting were representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, and snowmobile association. I am happy to report that the meeting went exceptionally well. The Town of Cassian Board agreed to meet with the snowmobile association to discuss rerouting the trail and all parties involved are planning to get together at the location of the bridge to walk out a new trail.
I am very happy that DNR, DOA, the Town of Cassian, and the snowmobile association are jointly taking action to renovate this portion of the Bearskin State Trail and ensure that this bridge will be safe for riders for years to come. Sen. Felzkowski and I look forward to working with all parties to make sure this project gets completed.
WisDOT Public Input on State Highway 70
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is developing plans for the proposed improvements on WIS 70 from WIS 139 to US 2 in Florence County and they are seeking input from the public.
The purpose of this project is to restore deteriorating surface pavement to extend service life and replace deteriorating culverts. Fortunately, WIS 70 will remain open during the duration of the project, which is scheduled for 2027, but could begin as early as 2023.
To provide input, please email Paul Brauer at paul.brauer@dot.wi.gov or send your comments via regular mail to:
Attn: Paul Brauer,
Project Manager
944 Vanderperren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
DNR Update for Hunters with Disabilities
Photo Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The deadline to sign up for the gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities is September 1. The hunting or trolling disability permit authorization application allows disabled hunters to shoot from a stationary vehicle, use a laser sight, and use an adaptive device on a firearm.
Eligible disabled hunters hoping to participate in the 2021 gun deer hunt should contact a hunt sponsor to sign up before September 1. To learn more about this authorization, please visit the DNR website. In addition, here is a list of sponsors for hunters with disabilities.
Hodag All Class Reunion
Join your fellow Hodags from eight decades of graduating classes this Saturday, August 14 for the Hodag All Class Reunion.
This should be a fun event with live music and vendors filling Brown and Davenport Streets in downtown Rhinelander.
I am looking forward to seeing many of my fellow alumni on Saturday!
On Tuesday, Governor Evers vetoed six election reform bills that would have tremendously improved the integrity, fairness, and transparency in our elections process in Wisconsin. To say I am disappointed at the Governor's misguided decision would be an understatement. Here are the bills that the Governor vetoed:
In the past couple of months, the bipartisan Joint Task Force on Racial Disparities crafted a number of police reform bills aimed at strengthening law enforcement standards and providing expanded transparency. While most of these bills passed both legislative chambers and were signed into law by Governor Evers, 
Congratulations to Tomahawk Live Trap of Hazelhurst for being awarded a Department of Workforce Development's Fast Forward grant of $20,000!
On Wednesday, I attended the annual State Building Commission Meeting at the Wisconsin State Fair. We approved approximately $92.6 million in key projects across the state, helping numerous universities and facilities improve and maintain their infrastructure.
On Monday, Sen. Felzkowski and I attended the Town of Cassian Board Meeting in support of the proposed bridge renovation project on the Bearskin State Trail.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is developing plans for the proposed improvements on WIS 70 from WIS 139 to US 2 in Florence County and they are seeking input from the public.
Join your fellow Hodags from eight decades of graduating classes this Saturday, August 14 for the Hodag All Class Reunion. 