Speaker Vos Announces Water Quality Task Force

February 11, 2019

Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) is pleased to announce the 16 members of the bipartisan Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality. The development of the special legislative committee commenced after Reps. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) and Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) made a request to the speaker in reaction to a preliminary report showing widespread contamination in private wells in southwestern Wisconsin. Because of the great importance of the issue being studied, this task force will also include members of the state Senate.

Chairs:  Rep. Todd Novak Vice Chairs: Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point)

Members: Rep. Travis Tranel, Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), Rep. Scott Krug (R-Rome), Rep. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer), Rep. Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport), Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc), Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville), Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb), Rep. Staush Gruszynski (D-Green Bay), Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay), Sen. André Jacque (R-DePere) and Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona).

“Wisconsinites deserve to have safe, clean and healthy water,” said Speaker Vos. “We’re beginning this essential work by gathering input from across Wisconsin.  I’m pleased these legislators have agreed to take part in this statewide, collaborative effort.”

The task force has been asked to make recommendations on assessing and improving the quality of surface water and groundwater. Legislators will hold public hearings around Wisconsin to gather information on the specific concerns in the various regions of the state. The speaker’s office has already been contacted by dozens of groups including Wisconsin Wetlands Association, the UW Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences and the Wisconsin Conservation Voters. More contacts are expected and welcomed.

“The goal is to take input from everyone; stakeholder groups, individuals and local officials,” said Speaker Vos. “Every important solution starts with robust conversations.”

Speaker Vos has formed six other task forces since 2013 in the Wisconsin State Assembly. The bipartisan task forces have addressed issues pertaining to mental health, rural schools, urban education, workforce readiness, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and foster care.