This week I attended my first Bill Signing since being elected, it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of it. Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday signed into law Assembly Bill 11, repealing an outdated requirement that has been troublesome for newspaper publishers.
 

     Gov. Walker signs repeal of newspaper recycling requirement

I attended my first bill signing on Wednesday, April 8th. Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Assembly Bill 11, repealing an outdated requirement on newspaper production and protects our small-town Wisconsin publishers. The requirement has been troublesome for newspaper publishers.

The law eliminates the newspaper recycling fee, as well as the minimum percentage requirement of post-consumer waste content in newsprint, which has become a burden to Wisconsin publishers due to the fact that recycled newsprint is either incredibly expensive or simply unavailable.

The removal of this requirement allows newsprint to be utilized to produce more valuable items, such as cereal boxes and cellulose insulation.

"It put icing on the cake to the end of a long newspaper career," "I'm glad to help the industry, I understand the industry and I'll always be a friend of the industry. I'm here if they need anything."

The bill was passed by the Assembly on a voice vote Feb. 12 and concurred on by the Senate via a voice vote March 17. The bill is Act 7.


Rep. Novak’s office is located at 304 North in the Wisconsin State Capitol. He can be contacted by phone at (608) 266-7502 or by e-mail at Rep.Novak@legis.wisconsin.gov.
 

Representative Novak serves the 51st Assembly District, which includes parts of Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, and Sauk Counties.
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From the Department of Revenue:

The income tax filing deadline is approaching and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue would like to remind taxpayers that free tax assistance is available at volunteer sites across the state. At these sites, trained volunteers are available to answer questions and e-file returns for low to moderate income residents, individuals age 60 or older, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. It is important to remember that your spouse must come with you if you are married and filing jointly.

This tax season, there are more than 135 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites in total across Wisconsin that offer free income tax filing assistance. Many VITA sites are located in community centers, libraries, churches, shopping malls, and retirement homes.

To find a free tax assistance site in your area:

-- Call 2-1-1
-- Download the DOR mobile app from the Apple or Android app store
-- VITA site: call toll free 1-800-906-9887 or go to www.irs.gov (Keyword search: VITA)
-- TCE site: call toll free 1-888-227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org (Keyword search: Foundation Tax Aide Locator)

When you go to the volunteer tax site, bring the following documents with you:

-- Photo IDs for you and your spouse
-- Your spouse must come with you if you are married and filing jointly
-- Social security cards for everyone on your tax return
-- All documents about the income you received during the year (wage statements, interest and dividend statements, retirement statements, social security statements)
-- Signed rent certificate or property tax bill if you will file for Homestead Credit
-- Your bank account numbers so refunds can be electronically deposited into your account (bring a voided check if you choose this option)
-- Any other tax documents (property tax receipts for any property taxes paid in 2014, tuition statement, mortgage interest statement, closing agreement for home purchased in 2014)

Do not forget that the income tax filing deadline is April 15!

Next week, the Joint Finance Committee Executive Sessions Begin.  The executive sessions are scheduled to begin next week Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The meeting was officially noticed on Thursday, April 9th.  These executive sessions are when each individual issue in the governor's budget proposal is discussed and voted on by the committee.

I'd like to congratulate the UW-Madison Men's Basketball Team on finishing Runner-Up in the NCAA Championship--What a fun and historic season to watch!
 

 This week I was able to meet with Dave Stute of Argyle on behalf of the WI Electric Cooperative Association, and discussed various legislative policy areas.

Additionally, It was Human Services Day this week at the Capitol.  I had the pleasure to have met with several Aging & Disability Resource Center(ADRC) County representatives from Green, Iowa Richland, and Sauk.  We were able to talk in depth on what kind of programs and services they offer for older adults, people with physical disabilities, and family caregivers.  They shared some of their concerns regarding the budget, many of which I share and are of concern to me as well.

This morning, Julie Tess and her group from Highland Schools were doing a tour of the Veterans Museum, fortunatly we were able to take their picture in the Capitol Rotunda.  Thanks for bringing the kids by Julie, I hope they enjoyed the Museum.

If you ever find yourself in Madison or your group plans to visit the State Capitol, I hope that you can stop by my office, 304 North. It is a beautiful facility full of history. I'd definitely encourage you to take a tour someday - Now that Winter is coming to a close, the Capitol and surrounding area would make a great day trip for the family.

Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Assembly Bill 11--My first Bill Signing.	Discussion with Dave Stute of Argyle.
Julie Tess and her Highland School Group.  Hope you guys had fun at the Capitol.

Sincerely,