Recently my colleagues announced the introduction of mining legislation that would allow Wisconsin to tap into 2.2 billion tons of iron ore in Northern counties and create thousands of jobs across the state.  The bill creates a minimum of a two year permitting process that allows for ample public input and retains rigorous environmental standards that must be met before a mining company can receive a permit.  The bill doesn’t guarantee permits for any iron mine, it merely creates a reasonable permitting process and sets a timeline that a mining company can plan around. 

Iron ore is rapidly increasing in value due to economic expansion in China and India.  Wisconsin has the opportunity to export ore across the globe and reap the economic benefits.  This bill has the chance to create over 3,000 construction jobs with $2 Billion in short term economic impact.  Each one of these 3,000 jobs brings an average pay and benefits of $82,000 annually.   

As you might guess, the opportunity for that kind of economic development has high local support.  A public hearing was held in Hurley on Oct. 28^th with more than 400 people in attendance and over 75% registering in favor.  Both Republicans and Democrats in the region passed resolutions in support.  

 The mine will be located in Iron County, which has the 2^nd highest unemployment rate in the state.  This is a chance to turn the economy of the entire region in a positive direction and in an environmentally responsible way.  Minnesota and Michigan have shown that this type of mining can be done effectively and responsibly.  With the support of local residents on both sides of the isle and the promise of thousands of jobs for generations of Wisconsin workers, I believe this bill will benefit the entire state and look forward to continuing the debate.

On the same day mining legislation was announced, Governor Walker requested a federal extension for Wisconsin’s SeniorCare waiver. 

SeniorCare is a prescription drug assistance program for low-income residents ages 65 years and older.  Wisconsin is the only state to operate a program outside of Medicare Part D and was last granted a waiver during the 2009-11 budget. 

I support the continuation of SeniorCare and will once again fight in favor of another waiver.  In agreement with Governor Walker’s request, I joined my colleagues in authoring a letter to Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation in support of the waivers continuation.

In November, the state Department of Justice notified local sexual assault agencies that their funding would be cut by an average of 42.5 percent in 2012. The Sexual Assault Victim Services (SAVS) program is funded by the Department of Justice and a current surcharge billed to sexual assault offenders.  The SAVS program is the only source of funding for sexual assault programs and in recent years, revenues from the surcharge have decreased.  This decrease coupled with declining state revenues have resulted in shortfalls in funding that have required the department to reduce service funding.   

Two weeks ago I joined other Republican legislators in a letter calling on Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to add the SAVS program to the list of programs that are exempt from budget cuts.   

The SAVS program is important to the victims of sexual assault and I applaud Governor Walker for recognizing the significance of this issue.  Victims of sexual assault are some of Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizen and deserve the peace of mind that a fully funded SAVS program provides. 

Governor Scott Walker worked with the state Department of Justice to restore funding to Wisconsin’s Sexual Assault Victim Services (SAVS) programs.  News came this week that about $294,000 would be restored to the SAVS program and an audit would be requested to figure out why surcharge revenues were decreasing.  The revenue decrease is puzzling considering the surcharge was increase by $7 in 2009.

For the first time in 25 years the “holiday” tree in the rotunda of the State Capitol will be called a Christmas Tree.  This years tree honors 163 years of Wisconsin’s veterans and is decorated with ornaments made from school children around the state.  The tree was a gift to the people of Wisconsin from Brule River State Forest in northwest Wisconsin.  The 36-foot Wisconsin-grown Balsam Fir is decorated with approximately 700 feet of gold garland, 2000 multicolored lights and over 1400 handmade ornaments. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend bringing the family to the Capitol to see this magnificent tree.

Dialing 511 provides you with free real-time travel conditions.  This toll-free number is a useful resource for drivers to get instant updates on the condition of state roadways.  It’s a step forward for road safety and a great use of technology to give people a new advantage over the weather.

As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation.  Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work.  As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.  Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. 

Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47^th Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address. 

I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (223 North).   Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing.  You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.