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Thank you for allowing me
to serve you in Madison. It is my solemn and
continuing promise to deliver results on the
issues most important to you and your family.
Please feel free to call or e-mail me anytime.
Thank you again for allowing me to serve you,
and I hope to hear from you soon!
Foxconn and Budget
Update
This week the Committee on Joint Finance met for
a public hearing in Sturtevant at Gateway
Technical College to review the
Special
Session Assembly Bill 1 (Foxconn
legislation), which was passed by the
Assembly last week. The hearing allowed citizens
to come out and share their thoughts on the
project and its impact in Wisconsin. The public
hearing was specifically set in Sturtevant to
ensure that the people most likely to be
directly impacted by this project had an
opportunity to provide input to the Committee.
The hearing showed that people in the area where Foxconn
is looking to locate are optimistic and excited
for this new project.
Reports show that Foxconn may bring $4 for
every $1 invested.
In addition the Committee on Joint Finance also
met on budget related issues on Thursday, taking
up various topics such as natural resources,
corrections, revenue, and state public
defenders. Here are a few highlights:
Department of Natural Resources: The
Committee on Joint Finance voted in favor to
repeal the forestry mill tax as well as putting
more funding towards environmental quality
measures and approving reorganization of the
Department of Natural Resources in order to
better manage department priorities and
workload.
Public Defenders: The Committee on Joint
Finance also approved a
proposal to convert
the State Public Defender to a block grant
appropriation, this will allow for improved agency
management. Additionally, the Committee
approved more than $3
million in pay progression for State Public
Defenders in order to reduce reliance on private
bar attorneys, and ensure adequate legal
representation for Wisconsin citizens.
Department of Revenue: The Committee on
Joint Finance voted to increase the lottery
advertising budget by $1 Million annually.
Revenue generated through lottery sales are used
to reduce property tax bills for homeowners.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Protection:
The Committee on Joint Finance voted to
keep the Wisconsin's Farm-To-School program.
Additionally, the Committee approved increased
funding for livestock registration, which is an
important tool in helping DATCP better respond
to outbreaks of diseases on farms.
The
next committee meeting for Joint Finance will be
Monday, August 28 at 1:30p.m.
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