Last week, I had the privilege of participating with my colleagues in the 2017-19 biennial budget signing at Tullar Elementary School in Neenah. This budget, while far from perfect, reduces regulations, increases funding for public education, and reduces property taxes to pre-2010 levels. Moreover, this budget focuses on the next generation by investing in job training grants, welfare reform, and targeted performance increases for higher education.

I commend Governor Walker for his removal of policy items and unwarranted spending from the budget. Furthermore, I thank Governor Walker for his creation of an Inspector General at the Department of Transportation and am hopeful its creation will yield much-needed savings and efficiencies in the department.

When I ran for State Assembly, my priorities included: Right-to-work (enacted into law last session); repealing prevailing wage; and eliminating the personal property tax. With right-to-work already in place, this bill completes the trifecta by repealing prevailing wage and takes the initial steps towards eliminating the personal property tax. Additionally, the budget repeals the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), internet tax, and state forestry tax. What is more, this budget expands Wisconsin's school choice program and puts the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on a path towards reform.

2017-19 biennial budget signing at Tullar Elementary School in Neenah.

Right-to-carry passed by Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

Did you know that it is currently legal for Wisconsinites to open carry a firearm without a permit? Legislation to delineate the inherent differences between open and concealed carry, was amended and subsequently approved by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, last week. The amendment, quite simply, retains the existing permit for concealed carry.

At its essence, the bill does two things: removes the barriers to the exercise of a constitutional right and simplifies existing law. If individuals choose to carry a firearm to protect themselves and their families, they should be able to do so without bureaucratic hurdles and exorbitant cost.

Under current law, as aforementioned, "open" or exposed carry of a firearm is legal without a concealed carry license. That said, current law prohibits an individual from concealing a firearm in a jacket, briefcase, or purse, without a concealed carry permit. A permit is not required, however, to open carry in Wisconsin.

In drafting this legislation, we found ambiguities in the law and 'gotcha' clauses which have generated confusion. The simplifications in this proposal will help citizens more easily comprehend the law and avoid getting wrapped up in legal fights for things that should be lawful. This legislation establishes a basic licensure that allows parents to pick-up and drop-off their children from school in designated areas, without having to leave their firearm at home. More important, however, this legislation maintains local control and protects private property rights by allowing the posting of schools, school grounds, government buildings, and private property.

As someone who has spent my career championing property rights, I have worked tirelessly with my colleagues to ensure they were protected by this legislation. The "Right to Carry" legislation, as denoted above, does not diminish the ability of businesses, educational institutions, or governmental entities to post their buildings or other facilities as "gun free zones."

Department of Natural Resources update

The 2017-19 biennial budget recently signed into law by Governor Scott Walker includes changes in deer and turkey tagging that will go into effect immediately. Changes are in the process of being implemented by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding the use of deer and turkey carcass tags and hopes to clarify any confusion the new requirements may cause during the fall hunting seasons now underway.

Under the new budget law, deer and turkey carcass tags are not required to be issued with licenses. In addition, validation and attachment of carcass tags is no longer required. These changes do not affect other species such as bear, bobcat, fisher, otter or sturgeon.

At this writing, nearly one-million deer and turkey carcass tags have been issued for the current fall hunting seasons. The department will honor all previously issued deer and turkey carcass tags as an authorization to hunt deer and turkey within the assigned or designated location. Customers making additional purchases throughout the remainder of this year's hunting seasons will be issued products that will not include the usual validation and attachment language.

While hunting, customers will still be required to carry proof they are authorized to hunt within the designated location. Hunters will be able to user their DNR-issued Conservation Card, a GoWild validated Wisconsin driver's license, a GoWild digital file or paper tag/authorities as proof of compliance. For the remainder of the 2017 seasons, the game registration system will recognize either the previously issued tag number or the harvest authorization number to connect the customer's information form their profile to the zone and season in which the customer is authorized to hunt.

The Department of Natural Resources will continue issuing carcass tags for deer; hunters, however, will not be required to validate or attach the carcass tag to the deer. The tag will continue to be issued based upon DMU, zone, land type, sex of deer and will identify weapons as appropriate.

Harvested turkey and deer must still be registered under current law. Harvest registration is a critical part of deer and turkey population management. Customers will be asked to enter either their carcass tag number or their turkey harvest authorization number into the Game Registration system to begin the harvest registration process.

For more information on the changes and how they might affect you during the current and upcoming fall hunting seasons, visit: www.dnr.wi.gov.

Listening Sessions

On Friday, October 20, 2017, I will accompany United States Representative Jim Sensenbrenner at his third round of office hours for 2017, in the 60th Assembly District. Representative Sensenbrenner will host two half-hour listening sessions to respond to constituent inquiries, questions, and concerns affecting Wisconsin.

Representative Sensenbrenner and I will visit the following locations on October 20, 2017:

9:00-9:20 a.m.: Newburg Village Hall--614 Main Street, Newburg.

11:45-12:15 a.m.: Jackson Village Hall--N168W20733 Main Street, Jackson

Participating in a town hall meeting with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner

Interstate-43 repair project

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, on Monday, September 25, 2017, is scheduled to commence with a maintenance project on Interestate-43 from the Milwaukee/Ozaukee County line to Wisconsin Highway 32. Lane closures will take place in the overnight hours from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., during weekdays, with possible lane and ramp closures during the weekends. During these late-evening closures, a single lane of mainline traffic will remain open in each direction at all times. Consecutive ramp closures will not be occurring. Please note that work restrictions will be in place during special events such as Green Bay Packers home games.

The project will route and seal this ten-mile stretch of freeway, along with interchange ramps. The contractor, Fahner Asphalt Sealers, plans on completing this $494,000 project this fall. This is a routine maintenance project following up on the 2014 resurfacing of the corridor and a continuation of the 2016 route and seal project in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties.

More information on this project can be found on 511 Wisconsin at: https://projects.511wi.gov/43ozauk/

A section of Interstate-43 in Ozaukee County that will be subject to repair

Wisconsin State Capitol Centennial Essay and Art contest

The Wisconsin State Capitol Centennial Commission is seeking student entries for an art and essay contest celebrating the Wisconsin State Capitol's 100th birthday. Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to submit either an essay or piece of artwork, which details or symbolizes the Wisconsin State Capitol and the role it plays in fostering democracy. Essays should be no longer than one-page in length and either typed or legibly written. Art projects should be two-dimensional, constructed using non-breakable material, and no larger than twenty-four-by-thirty inches. Furthermore, art projects must be mountable to a board or on canvass that is already attached to a wooden frame for display on an easel.

The Commission will select from among all entries, one essay and one art project from each grade. Winning essays and art projects will be displayed on the first floor of the Wisconsin State Capitol, this fall, from November 9th-30th. What is more, winning entries will be recognized by Governor Walker and retained by the Wisconsin State Historical Society. All entries will receive a certificate acknowledging submission. Projects not selected or retained by the Wisconsin State Historical Society, will be returned to students.

Wisconsin's State Capitol Centennial Commission began accepting entries September 1, 2017. All entries must be received by October 13, 2017. Please include for each contest submission: the participant's name and grade level, name of the participant's primary educator and educational institution, and contact information for the educational institution in which the entrant is enrolled.

Submissions should be sent to the following:

Wisconsin State Senate Chief Clerk, Post Office Box 7882 Madison, Wisconsin 53707.

For more information about the State Capitol Combative Commission and the Wisconsin Capitol Building, please visit: http://capitol100th.wisconsin.gov

Have a great week,

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