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Contents

March 6, 2020

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I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read through my newsletter. Each week, I'll include information to keep you up to date with what's happening in Madison and the 1st Assembly District.

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Pollution Prevention Partnership 

Following up on my previous e-updates, this week I am going to discuss in further detail my Pollution Prevention Partnership legislation that was recently signed into law by the governor.

AB 113, which I authored with Sen. Rob Cowles, will help us reduce the amount of contaminants in our state's water by creating a system for buying and selling pollution credits through a third-party central clearinghouse.

Under the legislation, the Department of Natural Resources will be authorized to give a point source permit holder an alternative to marginal EPA-mandated reductions in pollutants by purchasing credits from the clearinghouse. These credits will come from nonpoint sources that have taken steps to cut down on their pollution.

Examples of point sources include wastewater treatment plants, cheese factories and paper mills. They are sources that typically discharge via a pipe. Examples of nonpoint sources include farm properties, golf courses and residential lawns. The EPA regulates the discharge of point sources through permits but not nonpoint sources, even though nonpoint sources frequently contribute more pollutants to a particular water body.

Through our new program, point sources may avoid what can be extremely expensive upgrades by purchasing credits from the clearinghouse. By going this route, the overall positive impact on the environment will be greater than what would have occurred had the point source simply met their permit requirements.

To give you a real world example, let's take a look at the Green Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility. In order to meet the new standards of their wastewater discharge permit, they would need to spend more than $200 million to install a filter that would reduce their phosphorous output into Green Bay very marginally. Those expenses would then be passed on to all their ratepayers.

By utilizing the clearinghouse, the Green Bay plant could pay a smaller sum to local farmers to implement such things as buffer strips and cover crops, which would achieve a greater phosphorous reduction for far less money.

Pollutant trading is a sound strategy that is recognized by the federal Clean Water Act, however, our existing program is being underutilized because most point and nonpoint pollution sources do not have the resources or relationships to seek out trading partners. Since the old program was implemented as part of the 1997-98 biennial budget act, only 40 entities have either used or selected water quality trading as a compliance strategy to meet their required pollution standards. That simply is not enough, and with this legislation, I know we will do better.

It’s important to note that this bill establishes a minimum credit trading ratio of 1.2 to 1 for trades made through the clearinghouse, so each transaction must result in an improvement in water quality. In other words, for each pound of pollutant required in the permit, at least 1.2 pounds of the pollutant must be reduced through the credits. Trades must occur within the same hydrologic area and involve the same pollutants and water quality standards. The DNR will be responsible for certifying that the reductions actually transpire.

With the governor's signature, we have become the first state in the nation to establish a statewide clearinghouse for water pollutant trading. I am confident AB 113 will be a tremendous asset by giving our farmers, industries and municipalities the tools and financial incentives they need to work cooperatively toward our common goal of protecting our state’s water. I am hopeful that other states will see the value in our new clearinghouse program and follow our lead.

This week's bill signing was the culmination of more than a year's work in getting AB 113 through the legislative process. Out of all the bill signing ceremonies I have attended, this one by far had the largest group participating. I am proud that we were able to bring everyone together – including environmentalists, farmers and business entities – to find a fiscally-responsible solution to help us fix our water contamination issues. The bill was also co-sponsored by a bipartisan mix of nearly 50 lawmakers.

It just goes to show you what we can accomplish when we all work together.

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Bipartisan Session

Speaking of working together, I often hear from people that the political climate in Wisconsin is so volatile that Republicans and Democrats are unwilling to reach across the aisle to solve the problems facing our state.

In this instance, I am pleased to say that perceptions are not reality.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, slightly more than 94 percent of the bills passed by the Assembly this session were done so with bipartisan votes. In the previous session, more than 90 percent of the legislation we passed received bipartisan support.

Since I was elected to be your state representative in 2014, I have always made it a priority to find common ground with my Democratic colleagues so we can address our state's most critical issues. After all, if we can't learn to collaborate with each other for the betterment of Wisconsin, we will never get anything done. To me, that is unacceptable.

It was especially important for us to come together this session since it was the first time in almost a decade that we had a split government. Whether it be increasing funding for mental health services, protecting our water or investing in education and our transportation infrastructure, I am proud that we were able to put our political differences aside to accomplish many great things for our state.

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Coronavirus Update  

Although the current risk in Wisconsin remains low, I attended a meeting at the Capitol this week where our state's top health officials briefed members of the Legislature on the steps being taken to ensure we are prepared for a potential coronavirus outbreak.

Because there is still so much we don't know about this particular strain of the coronavirus, the state Department of Health Services has created a website to keep everyone up to date on the latest developments. The site, which can be accessed by clicking on this link, will be updated as needed. Additional information from University Health Services can also be found at this website.

If you are interested in reading some media coverage on the briefing I attended, please click here and here.

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus or the common flu, please make sure you are washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, covering your coughs and staying home if you do not feel well.

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What: Chili Cook-Off
Where: Door County Brewing Co. and Music Hall, 8099 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor
When: Saturday, March 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Details: "Fifteen chili masters will share their favorite chili recipes. Patrons can sample and vote for their favorites (6pm). People's Choice and Judge's Choice winners will be announced (7:30pm). Benefits the Climate Change Coalition. $12/person."

What: Children’s Carnival
Where: Zion Lutheran School, 3937 Cty Rd V, Egg Harbor
When: Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Details: "Featuring a bounce house, carnival games, prizes, face painting, sparkle tattoos, raffles, food and more. Perfect for ages 3-10, but all ages welcome."

What: Aldo Leopold Day Breakfast
Where: Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay
When: Saturday, March 7, at 8 a.m.
Details: "A free continental breakfast will be served and participants will be invited to gather around the fireplace while volunteer readers share short passages from "A Sand County Almanac." An optional film will follow the readings. Free and open to the public.
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