October 6, 2017

Working for you!

Developing Wisconsin's Workforce

We’re working hard to ensure that the needs of both employers and future employees are being met.

You can watch the hearing by clicking on the picture below:

Passing of Bob Gannon

This week the State Assembly lost a robust voice with the death of my colleague, State Representative Bob Gannon. Bob brought a passion rarely seen to the job of legislating and I will sincerely miss his presence in the State Capitol.

Farmers' Disaster Assistance Available

The USDA has designated seven Wisconsin counties, including Outagamie and Winnebago, as disaster areas due to crop losses from heavy rains in June and July. Farmers in these counties are eligible for assistance including emergency loans, depending on their production losses.

Contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency offices for information.

Outagamie County Farm Service Agency
3369 W Brewster Street
Appleton, WI 54914-1602
(920) 733-1575 ext. 2

Winnebago County Farm Service Agency
625 E County Road Y
Oshkosh, WI 54901-9731
(920) 424-0329 ext. 2

Students Flee Illinois for Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a top destination for college students leaving Illinois, according to a recent report issued by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Affordable tuition and the unrivaled quality of education, research, and public service provided by our dedicated University of Wisconsin System faculty and staff is clearly drawing students from across the border and resulting in “brain gain” for our state.

Read more about this report here: http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170930/getting-out-many-students-leaving-illinois-to-attend-college

Request a Wisconsin 2017-18 Blue Book

The new almanac of Wisconsin state government is now available and I’m dropping off as many of the books as possible in person, so if you request one, you might just get a visit from me as well.

Random fact from the Blue Book: One page 495 you can read about Wisconsin’s history. On Oct 7, 1774 Wisconsin became part of Quebec. Under the “Quebec Act,” enacted by King George III of England, French civil law was imposed on the region. This action became known as one of the “Intolerable Acts,” sparking the American Revolutionary War.

To request a complimentary copy, visit my webpage and fill out the Blue Book request form. The book will also available online soon.

Wisconsin Capitol 100th Anniversary Gala

This year marks the 100th anniversary of our beautiful State Capitol building. In honor of this anniversary, the Wisconsin Historical Foundation is throwing a once in a lifetime gala to benefit the Capitol Restoration Fund. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets by clicking on the image below:

Foxconn Site Announced, Jobs Won't Be Automated

The Wisconsin Foxconn facility site was announced as Mount Pleasant in Racine County, marking the beginning of what will become one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the world.

I’ve heard from a few constituents concerned that the newly created Foxconn jobs could disappear with future automation. The University of Wisconsin–Extension recently released a report noting that due to the types of jobs being created and the already high level of automation, it’s highly unlikely that the newly created jobs will be lost to additional automation. You can read more about this report here: https://www.biztimes.com/2017/magazines/biztimes-milwaukee/current-issue/special-reports-current-issue/uw-extension-report-foxconn-jobs-not-at-high-risk-of-automation/

The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names

My Research Assistant, Diane, returned from a road trip with a lost gem, a book titled "The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names." This unique book, which can be read online here, chronicles the back stories of Wisconsin geographical names and includes cities and counties. I looked up Outagamie County, Greenville, Seymour, Appleton, Freedom and Winnebago County right away. I hope you'll check it out and enjoy!

DNR Update

As archery deer and fall turkey seasons continue—and with the youth deer hunt taking place this weekend—the DNR is reminding hunters about the recently implemented changes for the use of deer and turkey carcass tags. 

The 2017 Wisconsin ring-necked pheasant season kicks off on Saturday, October 14. Several other seasons, including bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse in Zone B, and Hungarian partridge also open that same day.

Municipal Flood Control grants are available to cities, villages, towns, tribal governments, and metropolitan sewerage districts to help minimize flooding and flood-related damages. This competitive grant program can assist with the cost of property acquisition, flood control detentions ponds, flood studies and flood mapping projects.

Appleton's Octoberfest a Huge Success

200,000 people from across Wisconsin turned out to this year's Appleton Octoberfest, including my friend and colleague Senator Leah Vukmir and my niece Jeanne Coenen (pictured below).

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.