Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.
District Dialogue
July 17, 2015
Veto Message from Governor Walker
In last Friday's District Dialogue I highlighted a number of budget motions that were included in the 2015-17 budget that both the Senate and Assembly approved. The final step for those motions to become law were to survive the veto pen of Governor Scott Walker. Unfortunately, there were some projects that were vetoed by the Governor.
I wanted to inform my constituents that the Florence County District Attorney (DA) provision was one of the 104 vetoes by Governor Walker. I proposed this motion because it provided Florence County with a full-time DA position, since Florence is one of the three counties in the state with a part-time DA. Considering that Florence County only had a part-time District Attorney, the state paid private attorneys to help with the workload when the county was overburdened with cases. By making the position full time, the state would no longer need to hire a special prosecutor to assist the county.
Other motions that did not survive the veto pen were the provisions I included to fund Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation projects and capacity grants. I included motions for the following grants; restore funding for the Florence County Wild Rivers Interpretive Center, the Natural Resources Foundation, County Forest Administrator Grants, and the Master Logger Grant. Although I was disappointed with the Governor's decision, I will continue to fight for the greater Northwoods.
If you would like to read the full Veto Message from Governor Walker, please click the link below.
Veto Message from Governor Walker.
On July 15, the Senate voted to approve the financing of a new Milwaukee Bucks Arena in Milwaukee. After months of debate and discussions with Milwaukee County, City of Milwaukee, state legislators, and current team owners, the state Senate was able to reach a deal that protected state taxpayers while revitalizing downtown Milwaukee.
On average, Wisconsin collects $6.5 million dollars in income tax revenue from the Milwaukee Bucks and NBA players annually. To help finance a new arena, the state will use $4 million of this revenue to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee. If the Bucks were to move to another city, the state would lose the income tax revenue every year.
Senate Bill 209 (SB 209) was amended to included a $2 surcharge on every ticket sold at the new arena. This user fee will lessen the amount of state funding that is allocated for the Milwaukee Bucks new arena annually. Every fifty cents that is collected from the surcharge will be distributed to the state, netting an average of $500,000 a year which will lessen the state's four million dollar contribution. Ultimately, at the end of this twenty year cycle, the state of Wisconsin would be out of the arena business, which is something I wholeheartedly support.
The current owners, Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee will cover the remaining costs of the stadium.
SB 209 was passed by the state Senate with a bipartisan 21-10 vote. The bill now heads to the state Assembly for further debate and discussion.
Star Lake Presentation in Honor of Karen Potocki - Wessel
On Tuesday July 14th, I was invited by the Star Laker's Club in Vilas County to present a citation to honor the life of Karen Potocki-Wessel.
Karen Potocki-Wessel and her family have owned a cabin in Star Lake, for over forty years where she and her two children enjoyed hiking, boating, swimming and the beautiful outdoors. Karen was a proud volunteer and participant in a number of community events in the Star Lake region, where she was always thinking of others and willing to lend a hand. She showed her kindness, care for others, and ultimate last act of selflessness by heroically rescuing three young children who were struggling to swim on Star Lake on July 22, 2014. Our local hero, Karen Potocki-Wessel, tragically passed away shortly after safely transporting the children back to safety.
On Sunday, July 19 the Star Lake Community Club will dedicate the naming of the local park in her honor, where her memory will remain eternal.
Rep. Swearingen presenting the citation to the Star Laker's Club
2015 Hodag Country Music Festival
Last weekend, Rhinelander hosted the 38th annual Country Fest. My wife Amy and I were able to attend Sunday to enjoy the music and sample some great Northwoods hospitality. Country Fest continues to draw concertgoers from all over Wisconsin and surrounding states to the Rhinelander area every July.
Sunday at Country Fest!
This year's Country Fest featured Justin Moore, Maddie & Tae, The Band Perry, Joe Nichols, Parmalee, Ronnie Milsap, fan favorite Neal McCoy, and many more.
Country Fest once again drew a large crowd for the entertainment packed weekend. Luckily the weather was perfect last weekend for all the Country Fest enthusiasts! Congratulations once again to the organizers of this year's annual event. Thank you for making Rhinelander a country music destination. See you next year!
Left to Right: Neal McCoy, Amy and Rob
Wisconsin Public Service Announcement
(Green Bay, WI) The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation has been awarding scholarships to high school graduates for 51 years! At the Foundation, we believe that building on the tremendous potential of our young people is well worth the energy. The winners were chosen from more than 600 students who applied for scholarships. This year, over 135 scholarships were awarded with the recipients receiving more than $100,000, view the 2015-2016 recipient list. The Foundation has given more than $4.6 million in scholarships to students from Northeastern and Central Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1964. Students must be a son/daughter of a WPS customer and selection is based on academic excellence and extra- curricular involvement. No customer money is used to support the Foundation or its programs. Scholarships are funded by company stockholders.
DNR Outdoor Report
DNR land sales provide opportunity to purchase state-owned properties throughout Wisconsin
MADISON - The Department of Natural Resources is offering five
state-owned parcels of land for public sale beginning July 16, 2015.
In June 2014, the Natural Resources Board approved 22 department-owned
properties totaling approximately 1,400 acres for public sale. Of these
22 parcels, 15 were land-locked with no legal access from a road and
marketed to adjoining landowners. The remaining seven parcels are
accessible by a town road, and the first five of these properties are
posted for bid through the Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction. The bidding
process for these five parcels will close Aug. 12, 2015 at 10 a.m.
The parcels available for purchase are located in Vilas, Sawyer and
Lincoln counties, and range from five to 80 acres. Four of the five
properties are forested, while one parcel has been used for agriculture
purposes in the past. These parcels are part of the department's ongoing
sale of surplus state-owned lands.
Land titles may transfer to the successful bidders subject to certain
restrictions, including county snowmobile easements, DNR access
easements, or "no development" requirements on certain portions of the
property. Each parcel will be sold "as is," and it is the bidder's
responsibility to determine the condition of the property and its
suitability for any private use. Specific property information, along
with maps and photographs can be found on the
Wisconsin Surplus Online
Auction website.
This land sale program is being carried out by the Department in
compliance with Wisconsin Act 20 which requires that the Natural
Resources Board offer for sale at least 10,000 acres located outside of
project boundaries by June 30, 2017. The sale of select department-owned
lands will help resolve key boundary and access issues, realign land
ownership with conservation partners and private citizens for more
efficient management, and allow the department to work closely with
partner and stakeholder organizations to meet common property and
conservation goals.
The department's land sale policy was shaped by public comments received
at five informational meetings held throughout the state in October 2013
and by comments received through the public policy page of the
DNR
website. The Natural Resources Board approved the final policy in
December 2013.
For more information regarding the department's land sale program under
Act 20, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "land sales."
Public Comment Opportunities for DNR Program
Guidance
The Wisconsin DNR creates and revises program guidance to aid in the
consistent implementation of statutes and codes.
State lawmakers and the Natural Resources Board may grant the DNR
authority to define the specific implementation details of regulations
and programs. This is often described as broad decision-making
authority. To help consistently implement broad decision-making
authority, DNR programs often develop "program guidance."
Program guidance is formal written direction to DNR staff that explains
how to approach making decisions when there are not specific details in
the law. Department programs use different formats to document guidance
including operational handbooks, manual codes and written directives
from managers to staff. Program guidance can include recommended actions
or suggested permit conditions when certain factors or criteria are
present. Program guidance may also clarify implementation of legal
authority or guide decision-making where legal authority allows
discretion in decisions.
· Opportunities for participation
· Guidance open for public comment
· Final guidance documents
· Guidance in final drafting status
Opportunities for participation
We welcome your input on new and revised program guidance. Here are some
key facts about this public input process.
· The comment period is 21 days unless modified for cause.
· Notice of proposed guidance will be posted on this site. You may sign
up to be automatically notified.
· All comments received will be considered and a comment response
summary will be shared on this page. Please be aware that the comment
response summary will include all of the submitted comments in the
format they were received.
· Final guidance will be posted on this page for 21 days once it is
completed. We strive to post the final guidance within 45 days of the
expiration of the comment period.
· If you would like to request that the department consider updating an
existing guidance, please contact the appropriate DNR program directly
or email the DNR Secretary's Office.
Entries for wild turkey, pheasant, and
waterfowl stamp design contest due July 24
MADISON - Artists interested in having their work featured on the 2016
Wisconsin Wild Turkey, Pheasant, or Waterfowl Stamp need to submit their
entry before July 24. Collectively, these stamps raise about $1.5
million each year for habitat conservation in Wisconsin.
Judging will take place July 31, and the top three pieces of artwork for
each stamp will be displayed in the Natural Resources Park, located in
the southwest corner of the grounds, as part of the 2015 Wisconsin State
Fair from Aug. 6-16. Visitors are encouraged to check out a number of
interactive exhibits offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources.
Close to 40 pieces of artwork were submitted for last year's contest.
Robin Raab of Delavan took first place in the 2015 Wild Turkey and
Pheasant Stamp contests, and James Pieper of Iron Ridge won the 2015
Waterfowl Stamp contest.
A Wild Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl Stamp is required for hunters
pursuing these species, but anyone who appreciates wildlife and wildlife
art and would like to contribute to habitat conservation can purchase
the electronic stamp privilege at any license vendor. Those who would
like a physical copy of the stamp should ask for Form 9400-567 if they
are collectors, or Form 9400-599 if they are hunters who have already
purchased the stamp privilege.
For more information regarding Wisconsin's wildlife stamps, search the
DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and search keywords "wildlife stamps."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista McGinley, DNR assistant upland
wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458
Upcoming Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
6th Annual Bear Cupboard 5K Run and Half Marathon: July 18, Minocqua
Taste of Manitowish Waters @ Lion's Pavillion at Manitowish Waters Community Center: July 18, Manitowish Waters
FREE Water Ski Show by the Skiing Skeeters @ Rest Lake Park: July 18, Manitowish Waters
Logger Pancake Breakfast: July 18, Presque Isle
Ray Benefit/Phelps Rocks 365: July 18, Phelps
43rd Annual Artarama – Riverwalk Art Show and Sale: July 18, Eagle River
Reggie's Roadside 3rd Annual ATV/UTV Poker Run: July 18, Pelican Lake
Car & Craft Show: July 18, St. Germain
Chain Skimmers Ski shows: July 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, Land O' Lakes
Phelps Farmer's Market: July 18, 25, Phelps
Rhinelander Farmers Market: July 18, 25, Rhinelander
Hodag Water Show: July 19, 22, Rhinelander
Spread Eagle Art Show: July 19, Florence
FISHING TOURNAMENT ~ BASS: July 19, Manitowish Waters
Paddle for the Wild Side: July 19, Minocqua
St. Theresa Festival: July 19, Three Lakes
Min-Aqua-Bats Ski Show: July 19, 22, 26, Minocqua
Chequamegon Adventure Company Presents Tuesday Paddle Nite: July 20, 28, Minocqua
St. Germain Flea Market: July 20, 27, St. Germain
Florence County Historical Museum Opening in June: July 20, Florence
Florence Market Days: July 21, Florence
Summer Concert Series: July 22, St. Germain
Free Guided Nature Hike: July 23, Manitowish Waters
Northwoods Art Tour: July 24, Rhinelander
Friday Flea Market: July 24, Presque Isle
Minocqua Farmers Market: July 24, 31, Minocqua
Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show: July 24-25, Minocqua
20th Annual Mike Ross Memorial Bearskin Run: July 25, Minocqua
11th Annual Lac du Flambeau Lions Brewfest: July 25, Minocqua
Land O'Lakes Summer Classics: July 25, Land O' Lakes
Volunteer Fire & Rescue & EMS Auto Show: July 26, Conover
Craft Market: July 26, Conover
Hazelhurst Lions Club Pancake Breakfast: July 26, Hazelhurst
Three Lakes Aqua Devils Golf Outing & Spaghetti Dinner: July 26, Three Lakes
Langlade County Youth Fair: July 29 - August 2, Pelican Lake
Oktoberfest: July 30 - August 1, Presque Isle
11th Annual Pig in the Pines RibFest: July 30, St. Germain
Oneida County Fair: July 30 - August 1, Rhinelander
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