September 22, 2017

Working for you!

Governor Signs Budget

Yesterday I attended the Governor's signing of the 2017-19 state budget. I was very happy to support what I consider to be an excellent budget. It reduces regulations, increases school funding by over half a billion dollars, and keeps property taxes below 2010 levels.

Earlier in the week I communicated with the Governor about the vetoes he was considering and expressed my support for the Highway 15 Hortonville Bypass, low revenue school districts like Winneconne having the ability to compete with other districts in funding per pupil, studying the impact of tolling, and not micromanaging the University of Wisconsin System.

I want to personally thank all of you who contacted my office throughout the budget process to provide me with guidance.

Turning Hurricane Lemons into Lemonade

The fundraiser I mentioned last week, organized by fifth graders Dominic and Christopher, was a great success, raising over $1,105 in just one day! One third of the proceeds will be donated to the Samaritans Purse and another third to the Cajun Navy. The remaining third will be donated to Debby Kittredge of Dickinson, Texas, who lost nearly everything in the flooding. Dominic and Christopher were so excited about the outpouring of community support they have decided to keep their GoFundMe page open for two more weeks to continue fundraising for Debby. Please visit their page to learn more about their story and donate to their cause: https://www.gofundme.com/lemons-to-lemonade-hurricane-relief-for-debby

Watch the WBAY coverage of their lemonade stand here: http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Fifth-grade-boys-hold-lemonade-stand-for-Hurricane-Harvey-and-Irma-relief-444944003.html

Incomes are Rising

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wisconsin's median household income reached $59,817 in 2016, its highest level since 2006 when adjusting for inflation.

Wisconsin's median household income surpassed the national median household income of $59,039 and is higher than the comparable Midwest states of Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio.

Out with Summer, in with Fall Legislating

Now that the budget process and summer have come to a close, the rush of fall legislating has come in full force at the State Capitol.

Next week, three committees I serve on will be meeting. Here are links to what we'll be discussing and voting on:

Financial Institutions (Wednesday): http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1402697

Health (Thursday): Executive Session: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1402756 Public Hearing: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1402757

Workforce Development (Friday in Elkhart Lake): http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1400876

Summer's Done but Construction Continues

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

WIS 55 Little Henry Creek Box culvert reconstruction. Location/limits: WIS 55 (Main Street) from Morrow Street to Robbins Street in Seymour Traffic Impacts: WIS 55 (Main Street) will be closed from Morrow Street to Robbins Street for the duration of the project. Detour: Traffic will be detoured around the project work zone via Mainline Drive and County G. The detour will be in place for the entire project timeframe.

WIS 125 (College Avenue) resurfacing. Location/limits: I-41 to Linwood Avenue in the town of Grand Chute/city of Appleton Traffic impacts: College Avenue will remain open to traffic during construction. Much of the work will be conducted under nighttime lane closures. One lane will remain open in each direction at night. Website: https://projects.511wi.gov/wis125/

WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Project name: WIS 116, Wolf River Bridge and Approaches. Location: WIS 116, village of Winneconne Traffic impacts: WIS 116 open to two-way traffic but may be restricted to one-lane during non-peak daytime hours using flagging operations. WIS 116 restored to full two-way operation during non-working hours. South 1^st Avenue closed permanently. South 1^st Street and North 1^st Avenue closed for roughly 4 weeks during this stage. Website: https://projects.511wi.gov/wis116/

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project: I-41 Interchange Ramps. Location: I-41 US 10/ WIS 441 Interchange Traffic Impacts: Lane and ramp closures of the I-41 and US 10/WIS 441 interchange will be used as needed for specific operations. Full closures of northbound I-41, southbound I-41 and the south-to-east ramp are scheduled for the night of September 18 to pour the deck on the north-to-west bridge. Westbound US 10 and the exit ramp to Racine Street will be closed the night of the September 18 for noisewall post delivery. Please refer to the project website for specific dates and times for closures. Project website: http://projects.511wi.gov/wis441/

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project: Roland Kampo Bridge redecking and I-41/US 10/WIS 441 interchange structures. Location: town of Menasha Traffic Impacts: There will be daytime/nighttime lane closures on I-41 so accommodate bridge work. The west US 10/WIS 441 to north I-41 ramp is closed for most the project. There will be various lane, ramp, and mainline closures at different times, throughout the duration of the project to mobilize equipment, build substructures, demo bridges, set girders and strip formwork. Prior notification of those closures will be on website, PCMS boards, news releases and social media, along with guidance to preferred routes. Project website: http://projects.511wi.gov/wis441/

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project: US 10/WIS 441 Midway Interchange Mainline. Location: US 10/WIS 441 at the Midway Road Interchange Schedule: July 2017 to November 2018 Traffic impacts: There are long-term closures currently at the US 10 eastbound entrance ramp from County AP/Midway Road, the US 10 eastbound exit ramp to County AP/Midway Road, and the US 10 westbound exit ramp to County AP/Midway Road. Project website: http://projects.511wi.gov/wis441/

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project: US 10/WIS 441 bridges. Location: US 10/WIS 441 bridges over Oneida Street Traffic impacts: Northbound and southbound Oneida Street will have various lane closures throughout the week. A full closure of WIS 441 between the US 10/Oneida Street ramps is planned for 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27. A full closure of Oneida Street between the WIS 441 ramps is planned for 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 to 6 a.m. Monday, October 2. Project website: http://projects.511wi.gov/wis441/

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project: Oneida Street intersections. Location: US 10/WIS 441, Oneida Street (Valley Road & Midway Road) Traffic impacts: Oneida Street will remain closed south of Midway Road. Midway Road will remain open to two lanes of traffic.

DNR Updates

Governor Walker has declared Saturday, September 23 Hunting and Fishing Day in Wisconsin to coincide with National Hunting and Fishing Day across the country.

The 2017 Youth Deer Hunt is slated for October 7-8. The youth hunt is an opportunity for kids, ages 10-15, to hunt prior to the regular firearm seasons. The hunt is open to all resident and non-resident youth hunters with a gun-deer license and appropriate tags.

Hunters and trappers of all ages who harvest their first deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fish, or who simply have a great first year in the field are encouraged to check out the DNR’s selection of first harvest and first hunting experience certificates.

County Deer Advisory Councils are set to finalize deer population objectives and deer management unit boundary change recommendations that will influence the 2018-2020 deer seasons. Final recommendations will be made at meetings scheduled in each county from October 2-12. All CDAC meetings are open to the public with time allotted for public comments before councils finalize recommendations. A meeting schedule is available on the DNR’s CDAC webpage.

Appleton's Octoberfest

Hundreds of classic cars, live music, family arts and crafts, great food, and tens of thousands of people are gathered together to for one of the best Wisconsin events of the year: Appleton’s Octoberfest!

Check out other upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website, and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.