Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

November 20, 2015

Be sure to be safe in the woods, good luck hunters!

For more information about license prices, season dates, or an informational video on electronic deer registration please follow the links below.

LICENSE PRICES

SEASON DATES

ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION

Thirteen Assembly Republicans representing districts that cover all corners of the state met in Antigo on Thursday November 12, for a behind-the-scenes tour of northern Wisconsin’s logging and forestry industry. The tour was organized by Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma) and I. We were joined by eleven colleagues, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Assistant Majority Leader Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), Joint Finance Co-Chair John Nygren (R-Marinette), and Environment and Forestry Chair Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz).

The group began the day in Tomahawk with a visit to a cut site operated by logger Paul Roberts. Legislators had the opportunity to observe Roberts and his team harvesting timber and to hear the history of Roberts Logging that stretches back to the late 1800s. Industry professionals Henry Schienebeck of Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and Jane Severt of Wisconsin County Forests Association also participated in the tour and shared their expertise with the group.

Members of the Wisconsin Legislature from across the state before touring Packaging (PCA) in Tomahawk

The tour continued on to Antigo where Kretz Lumber company president Troy Brown hosted a working-lunch question and answer session followed by a full plant tour for the group. The representatives had a firsthand look at the unique lumber handling process that sets apart Kretz maple woods as the finest in the industry and focused on the critical need for a consistent timber supply to produce high-quality wood products for cabinetmakers, furniture, flooring, window and door manufacturers.

A visit to the Packaging Corporation of America mill in Tomahawk was the third and final stop of the day. Mill manager Adam Webster opened with a brief presentation of PCA’s leading role in the corrugated cardboards market and took the group on a step-by-step tour of each phase in the production process. Webster echoed the comments of Brown from earlier in the day, that one of the single biggest challenges facing Wisconsin mills today is a dependable and adequate wood supply.

Assembly Republicans touring a live logging site in Tomahawk.

I believe that it was very important that those legislators from other parts of the state took the time to learn more about Wisconsin’s northern forestry industry. Today really was what being a representative is all about. We had the opportunity to showcase the tremendous potential of Wisconsin’s forests and I think the group really recognized how important the northern region is to making our state thrive.

According to the DNR, forestry is the number one employer in seven northern Wisconsin counties and is the state’s second-largest manufacturing employer. The combined job total for all aspects of the forestry industry including forestry and logging, pulp and paper, sawmills and wood products is over 62,200 employees at 1,462 establishments. The average wage is $49,583 and total wages contribute $3.1 billion per year to Wisconsin’s economy.

To learn more about Wisconsin's Forest Products Industry, click here.

Thirty years ago, a young Brad Kowieski planted a Balsam Fir from a seed given to him from his teacher.  That tree stood the test of time and grew strong for three full decades in his Pine Lake backyard.  Now, Brad and his wife Elizabeth are proud to announce that their tree has been selected to be the Wisconsin State Capitol Christmas Tree. 

Last weekend I stopped by their home to congratulate the Kowieski's on their tree being chosen to stand in the Capitol's rotunda.  It was great to take a picture with the soon-to-be Capitol Christmas Tree.

Photo Credit - (WJFW-TV)

Left:  Rep. Swearingen and the Kowieski Family.  Right:  Brad, Elizabeth, Hank and Cody Kowieski with the Capitol Christmas Tree.

The tree arrived in Madison on Wednesday, November 18 and a tree lighting will take place on December 4.  I look forward to seeing a part of Rhinelander under the dome. 

Photo Credit WISC-TV

Christmas Tree Arrives in Madison!

Alzheimer's and Dementia Taskforce Holds Hearing at Nicolet College

On Wednesday, November 18 I welcomed the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia to the Northwoods. Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) serves as the chairman of the task force tasked with traveling the state. The Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia Taskforce has been asked to address the following:

·         Improve and promote community-based resources for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and continue to raise individual and community awareness.

·         Identify ways to improve and sustain in-home care and empower family caregivers.

·         Determine ways to ensure future quality of care while bending the cost curve of long-term care downward.

·         In light of the Helen E.F. Supreme Court decision, clarify current law and develop a more comprehensive and workable framework for adult protective services and legal interventions for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

I was pleased that the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia held a public hearing in my hometown. Rhinelander, similar to many rural and northern communities, is experiencing increasing numbers of Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses due to Wisconsin’s aging population. I applaud Representative Rohrkaste and the entire committee for traveling the state to find meaningful solutions to an ongoing issue.

The public hearing was hosted by Nicolet College in Rhinelander. The hearing will focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia in rural Wisconsin and the unique challenges these diseases can pose in those communities. There was also time for public testimony after the invited speakers presented.

“I would like to thank Nicolet College and Representative Swearingen for hosting us,” said Rep. Rohrkaste. “Alzheimer’s and dementia affect thousands of people throughout Wisconsin and we need to remember that it can pose different problems in different parts of our state. The rural population in northern Wisconsin is aging more rapidly than other areas and residents often have less access to health care. By bringing the task force to the north woods, we hope to find some solutions to this growing problem”.

The task force will host several more public hearings throughout the state, to be announced soon.

Session Update

On Monday, November 23, the Assembly held an extraordinary session focused on two bills that were previously approved by the Assembly.  The extraordinary session was needed because of changes made to both proposals within the Senate.  Assembly Bill 387 relating to campaign finance passed with a vote 59-0, with all Democratic representatives recusing their vote.  Assembly Bill 388 also passed the full Assembly with a 56-37 vote.  If you are interested in reviewing the bills below, please follow their respective links.

Assembly Bill 387: relating to campaign finance

Assembly Bill 388:  Relating to: reorganizing the Government Accountability Board, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making appropriations.

Government Accountability Board (GAB) Reform:

The bill takes effect June 30, 2016. This will allow for the current board to handle the spring elections, as well as ballot access for November of 2016.

Campaign Finance:

AB 387 is a long over-due rewrite of Wisconsin’s campaign finance statute, Chapter 11. The bill responds to court decisions, protecting the First Amendment free speech rights, and giving clear guidance to regulated actors.

The bill requires registration and reporting structures for committees and conduits. The bill sets registration requirements for candidate committees, political parties, legislative campaign committees, political action committees, independent expenditure committees, conduits, referendum committees, and recall committees.

The bill also creates a reporting structure for express advocacy within a certain time periods. The bill provides that a PAC or IEC must register if it accepts, make, or incurs contributions, disbursements, or obligations to support or oppose a candidate in a calendar year in an aggregate amount that exceeds $5,000.

The bill provides reporting requirements for committees. A committee must generally file reports during the: Spring Primary, Spring Election, Partisan Primary, General Election, Preprimary and Preelection. The bill provides for a 48-hour report of late contributions. If a committee receives a contribution of $1,000 or more cumulatively from a single contributor no later than 15 days prior to a primary or election, the committee must file a report with 48 hours of receipt. The bill requires disclosure of the principal place of employment for any individual contributing over $200 to a candidate.

The bill will double from current law the contribution limits to candidates, legislative campaign committees, and political parties. The bill also restricts candidates from accepting contributions from corporations, labor organizations, American Indian tribes, and independent expenditure committees. The bill also provides that certain contributions are not subject to contribution limits.

This draws a clear distinction between express advocacy and issue advocacy. The bill only regulates express advocacy, leaving issue debate, discussion and advocacy beyond the scope of government regulation.

The bill prohibits the ability to coordinate express advocacy with a candidate, legislative campaign committee, or political party in violation of the contribution limits and source restrictions. The bill adopts a prior GAB guidance definition of coordination, but applies it only to express advocacy.

The bill requires the GAB to review all administrative rules promulgated, and any advisory opinions issued by the GAB. Any rules or opinions inconsistent with this bill are invalid.

The bill takes effect on the first day of the first full reporting period following publication.

On Friday, November 13, I organized and attended a meeting with Speaker Robin Vos (R - Burlington), Rep. Joel Kitchens (R- Sturgeon Bay), Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (R - Plymouth) and Kim and Kari Zambon, owners of Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander.  The intent of the meeting was to gather ideas to promote tourism throughout the state.  Kim and Kari are third generation business owners and their family has over 60 years experience in the tourism and hospitality business.  It was great to highlight the successes of Northwoods tourism to the Speaker, as well as brainstorm ideas to make Wisconsin more of a destination for tourists. 

Speaker Vos and legislators meeting with the Kim and Kari Zambon.

Assembly Bill to Restore Funding for the Florence Wild Rivers Interpretive Center Receives Hearing

On Tuesday, November 17, Assembly Bill 422 was given a public hearing in the Assembly Committee on the Environment and Forestry.  Assembly Bill 422 was drafted at the request of community leaders and residents of Florence, WI. Our office was contacted by a number of elected officials and concerned citizens in Florence County in regards to the loss in funding.

The Natural Resource and Wild Rivers Interpretive Center was built in 1992.  It was and still is a very unique combination of all the natural resource related agencies sharing space, resources and collaborating on projects.  Under one roof, this building houses the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR), United State Forest Service (USFS), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), UW-Extension, and County Forestry & Parks. The Wild Rivers Interpretive visitor center also sells DNR licenses and provides a public conference room that many groups, agencies and legislators use. 

The Governor’s budget cut funding for this facility that is used to pay for some of the staff time for the main public service desk that serves many purposes.  It functions as a visitor desk with recreational information for visitors, it sells all the DNR licenses and registrations and it takes questions from the public and guides them to the proper office/department within the building as it oversees the Wild Rivers Interpretive center displays and information. A budget motion was submitted from both Senator Tiffany’s and my office in an attempt to restore the funding, but the motion did not survive the budget process. As the bill is written, the restored funding will come from the Conservation Fund.

I would like to thank Representative Mursau and Senator Tiffany for their assistance and support of this proposal.  Additionally, I would like to thank Wendy Gehlhoff, Pat Smith, Lori Moore and all others who traveled to Madison to testify on this bill. 

Click here to watch testimony from the public hearing. 

Assembly Bill 421 Voted out of Committee

Assembly Bill 421 was drafted at the request of a local lake association to promote fish habitat on Wisconsin lakes and waterways.  The goal of this legislation is to improve fish and wildlife habitat on all Wisconsin waterways by removing civil liability from property owners placing certain structures in navigable waters and wetlands. 

Under current law, to place a fish crib or various other course woody habitats into a lake, the property owner must follow all Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permits to meet all of the appropriate specifications and requirements.  My office has been contacted by lake associations and other concerned citizens indicating liability is deterring them from taking advantage of these DNR offered programs.  Our proposal will keep the rules and regulations in place for all permit holders, while removing liability if and when the required DNR specifications are met.  This proposal will continue to protect our environment through DNR permits and specifications while boosting fish habitats statewide.

The Department of Natural Resources along with Trout Unlimited is supportive in our efforts to promote fish and wildlife habitat on Wisconsin waterways and wetlands.

On Tuesday, Assembly Bill 421 was support in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage with a 10-5 vote.

Woodruff DNR Service Center area

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - Hunters and hikers will see water/ice filled swamps as they head outside.If Mother Nature cooperates, there may be some tracking snow for the deer opener in the forest.Crispy crunchy conditions appear to be what is in store! It's a great time to be out gathering firewood on the forest (with a permit of course).If you're looking for some easily accessible wood, check out our campgrounds.Lots of hazard trees were cut in our campgrounds this fall and gates have been opened at the closed campgrounds to allow access for firewood gatherers.Permit holders are allowed to gather downed wood from all campgrounds on the forest from November 1-April 30 annually.Scheduling next year's campground hosts will begin around the first of the year, so now is the time to get more information and apply if you might be interested in serving as a volunteer campground host.Contact Joe Fieweger at 715-385-3355 ext 113 or joseph.fieweger@wi.gov if interested. Lots of hunters are out right now, scouting for the upcoming season. Hikers should be safe and wear orange when out on the trails during gun deer season, even the well-used designated hiking trails, hunting is allowed off all forest trails.Just a reminder to all hunters, tree stands cannot be left on any state forest land overnight. During the day if you need to leave your tree stand unattended for any reason you need to have your WI DNR customer ID number or name and address attached to your stand.Trail cams also need to be marked with your WI DNR customer ID number or name and address. - Kimberly Krawczyk, Visitor Services Associate

Flambeau River State Forest - Lake of the Pines Campground is open till December 15 and is ready for the hunting season. It's a home away from home for many visitors. All forest roads in decent condition. The musky fishing has been good. The Flambeau River water levels are high. The snow buntings are busy fluttering around on the sides of the roads. There are nine bull elk, 10 cow elk and four calves on or near the Flambeau River State Forest. Hunters are cautioned to be sure of their target in order to insure the safety of the protected elk. Elk calves this time of year are the same size as adult deer. It's very wet in the woods so if you're hunting make sure you are wearing rubber boots. The deer rut has been going hot and heavy the past two weeks. Deer hunting camps are preparing for Saturdays gun deer hunting opener. There's a good chance of some snow this week and no rain in the forecast for this weekend so anticipate good tracking and visibility. If you're feeling adventurous, hunt and float the Flambeau River. Temps are forecasted with the lows in the teens so be sure to dress in warm clothes. The tail end of the waterfowl season is approaching (Nov.24) in northern Wisconsin. With some exceptions most bears are currently hibernating. - Diane Stowell, forestry technician

Florence DNR at the Florence Natural Resource Center

Florence and Forest counties - Gun deer season is this coming weekend. Conditions look to be mild with temperatures in the 30s, so it doesn't look like snow for opening weekend. Deer rutting activity was pretty sustained over the last few weeks, so it may continue with some dropping temperatures. As always, make sure to have your required licenses, double check this year's new rules and regulations changes, and remember that practice makes perfect. State Assembly Bill 243 recently passed, which outlawed group hunting with youth deer permits. - Jason Cotter, wildlife Biologist, Florence

Upcoming Community Events

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

 “Art in the Library” exhibit: November 20 - December 4, Boulder Junction

31st Annual Crafts by Jack Frost and Company: November 20-22, Minocqua

The Waters Holiday Market: November 20-21, Minocqua

Winter Art Exhibitions Open!: November 20-21 & 26-28, Rhinelander

Trig's Floral & Home Open House: November 20-22, Minocqua

Minocqua Winter Farmers Market: November 20, 27 & December 4, Minocqua

Long Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary Pasty & Bake Sale: November 20, Long Lake

Mary Poppins (Broadway Musical): November 21-22, Rhinelander

Indoor Farmers Market At The YMCA: November 21 & 28, Rhinelander

Hunters Italian Feast/Hunter's Mass: November 21, Woodruff

Annual Christmas Bazaar: November 21, Rhinelander

32nd Annual "Show & Sell" Craft Show: November 21, Rhinelander

Community Thanksgiving Dinner: November 26, Woodruff

Family Night: November 26, Eagle River

Holiday Model Train Show: November 27-28, Minocqua

A Christmas Carol: November 27-29, Minocqua

21st Annual Festival of Lights: November 27, Three Lakes

Friends of the Boulder Junction Public Library Cookie Walk: November 27, Boulder Junction

27th Annual Christmas Walk: November 27, Boulder Junction

22nd Annual Boulder Junction Lioness Christmas Craft Fair: November 27, Boulder Junction

Santa Weekend Santa Comes to Town: November 27, Land O' Lakes

A Christmas Carol: November 27, Land O' Lakes

Santa Weekend Reindeer Rendezvous: November 28, Land O' Lakes

Santa Weekend Christmas Craft Sale: November 28, Land O' Lakes

Santa Weekend Breakfast with Santa: November 28, Land O' Lakes

Small Business Saturday: November 28, Boulder Junction

Christmas Walk Kids Day: November 28, Boulder Junction

27th Annual Christmas Gift and Craft Fair: November 28, Minocqua

Christmas in Minocqua: November 28, Minocqua

Holiday Kickoff & Parade: November 28, St. Germain

Jingle & Mingle to Celebrate Small Business Saturday: November 28, Three Lakes

Holiday Window Walk and Tree Lighting: November 28, Rhinelander

27th Annual Dr Kate Hospice Tree Of Love: December 1, Woodruff

The Nicolet Players Present: A Christmas Carol: December 3, Rhinelander

Holiday Cake Auction: December 4, Three Lakes

Santa’s Christmas for the Town: December 4, Manitowish Waters

Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting: December 4, Manitowish Waters

Christmas in Florence: December 5, Florence

Holiday Open House & Art Bazaar: December 5, Land O' Lakes

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 123 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034