An Early Session Bill Update

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of March already.  While the state budget has been the focus of discussion for the past few weeks here in Madison, work on other legislation still continues.  This week, I wanted to take a moment to provide a brief update on a couple of bills I am working on.

In a previous e-update, I talked about a bill that I am authoring with Senator Petrowski to increase the penalties on individuals who unlawfully harvest a deer.  One of the penalties that can be imposed for the unlawful harvest of a deer, or poaching, is the wild animal protection surcharge. Currently, this surcharge is only $43.75 no matter how extreme the act of poaching is. Under our bill, the maximum surcharge would rise to $5,000, thus allowing judges the discretion to impose higher penalties in cases where poachers have not been deterred by the current penalties.

Since I last told you about this bill, it has been formally introduced in the State Assembly as Assembly Bill (AB) 39.  This legislation has earned the support of various organizations including the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and Wisconsin Conservation Voters.  AB 39 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation and I am hoping that this bill will receive a public hearing before the committee early next month.

The second bill I would like to update you on is Assembly Bill (AB) 88, a bill that provides property tax relief for disabled veterans.  As it stands now, in order for a disabled veteran to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit on their state income taxes, the veteran's service-connected disability rating must be 100%.  Under AB 88, the eligibility threshold to claim this credit is reduced to 70%.  The maximum credit an eligible person could claim is multiplied by the person's service-connected disability rating (i.e. a veteran with a 70% service-connected disability rating could claim a 70% property tax credit).

I am proud to author a bill that will provide tax relief for disabled veterans.  I have spoken with county veterans services officers and other veterans around the district about the positive impact this legislation will have in our state.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to get this bill to Governor Evers' desk.   

Formation of the Wisconsin Paper Caucus

As residents of northern Wisconsin, we all likely know someone whose livelihood relies on a forestry-related industry and about the huge impact forestry has on the economy in the Northwoods. Forestry is the top employer in two counties in the 87th District and is the second largest industry in Wisconsin, second to agriculture. As you may know, Wisconsin's timber and paper industries go hand-in-hand. One of the major uses for Wisconsin timber is the manufacturing of paper. 

Wisconsin has a rich history of papermaking and has led the nation in paper manufacturing for more than 60 years. Our state ranks first in the volume of paper manufactured and in the diversity of paper products produced nationwide. Papermakers, alone, employ more than 35,000 women and men throughout Wisconsin, with many more additional jobs directly linked to our paper industry. 

My colleagues and I, whose districts include paper-related industries and priorities, have recently formed the Wisconsin Paper Caucus. The Caucus will include a bipartisan group of legislators from the Assembly and the Senate, as well as a member from Governor Evers' Administration. Together, we will work to promote the history and economic importance of the paper, pulp, forestry, and printing industries, and find solutions to the issues facing this important part of our state. I look forward to working with this new caucus and continue advocating for the hardworking people of the 87th District through it.    

Under the Dome

Survival Coalition

I was not able to make it down to Madison this week, but luckily my staff was able to meet with folks on my behalf. On Wednesday, my staff met with Sheli Sheffield from Ladysmith. She represents the Survival Coalition and was at the Capitol for Disability Advocacy Day to share the legislative priorities of her organization.

Xcel Energy

Soon afterward, my office met with employees of Xcel Energy, including Pamela Denzine from the Town of Holton.  The employees provided an update on what their company is doing in Wisconsin and shared their legislative priorities for this session.    

Farm Bureau Federation

Later that afternoon, my staff met with constituents from the 87th District who are members of the Farm Bureau Federation to discuss issues important to our farmers in the district, including bear crop damage. This is one of the biggest issues I hear from farmers around the district, and as your state representative, I am doing everything I can to find a solution to this problem. I will continue to stand for our farmers in northern Wisconsin.

New Vision Wilderness Therapy

Recently, my staff met with employees of New Vision Wilderness Therapy in Medford to discuss their business and how it could benefit from state licensure. 

Around the 87th

Medford Town Hall with Congressman Duffy

On Thursday morning, I attended a town hall event in Medford as the moderator for Congressman Sean Duffy. I always enjoy events with our congressman in Congress, and I am honored he asked me to participate.

US 63 Update in Sawyer County

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin an improvement project on US 63 from WIS 77 to Larsen Road on April 1, 2019. These improvements will include a new pavement structure, culvert replacement and rehabilitation, and guard rail replacement. During construction, US 63 will be detoured for cars using WIS 77 and County Highway OO and, for trucks, WIS 77 and WIS 27. 

Access to all businesses and residences will remain open for the duration of the project. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 12, 2019. See the DOT's 511 website for more information on this and other projects in the region.

Stay Up to Date

One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison. Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans). You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.