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

District Dialogue

March, 20 2015

State Affairs and Government Operations Committee Update

On March 10, the State Affairs and Government Operations Committee held an executive session on three bills and a public hearing on three additional bills.  All three of the bills received bipartisan support during the executive session and were voted out of the committee.  For information on the three bills, please see the links below.

Assembly Bill 37:  Relating to: requiring certain persons to hold certificates of food protection practices in order to operate certain school lunchrooms participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Assembly Bill 38:  Relating to: the issuance of retail alcohol beverage licenses for premises on which another business is conducted and the presence of underage persons on premises operating under a retail alcohol beverage license.

Assembly Bill 46:  Relating to: off-duty law enforcement officers and former law enforcement officers going armed with firearms on or near school grounds.

The public hearing directly followed the Executive Session and Assembly Bills 80, 81, and 82 were discussed.  All three of these bills focused on the Red Tape Review effort that Assembly Republicans introduced this session.  Red Tape Review creates a streamlines process to eliminate outdated and burdensome rules that no longer serve a purpose in state government.  Red Tape Review is chaired by Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) who is also the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR).  Below are the bills discussed during the public hearing.

Assembly Bill 80:  Relating to: review by state agencies of administrative rules and enactments and an expedited process for repealing rules an agency no longer has the authority to promulgate. (FE)

Assembly Bill 81:  Relating to: modifying and repealing rules promulgated by the Department of Financial Institutions and the Department of Revenue relating to documents filed with county registers of deeds.

Assembly Bill 82:  Relating to: instruments filed or recorded with, and fees charged by, the register of deeds. (FE)

An executive session was held later in the week on Assembly Bills 80, 81, and 82.  All of the proposals were voted out of the Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations. 

Additionally, on March 17, Assembly Bills 37, 38, 80, 81, and 82 were debated and discussed by the full Assembly.  Each of these bills were passed last Tuesday.

Joint Finance Committee to Hold Public Hearings

The Joint Finance Committee will be traveling around the state to discuss the Governor's proposed state budget with Wisconsin residents.  Please see the schedule below. 

Friday, March 20 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Alverno College
Pitman Theatre
3400 South 43rd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53234

Monday, March 23 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
University of Wisconsin-Barron County
Fine Arts Theatre
1800 College Drive
Rice Lake, WI 54868

Thursday, March 26 (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Reedsburg High School
CAL Center Auditorium
1100 South Albert Avenue
Reedsburg, WI 53959
 

If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding the state budget, feel free to provide them with the following email address:
BudgetComments@legis.wisconsin.gov

The address is now active and will send messages directly to the JFC committee clerk.  The email address will be functional through the entire time of the public hearing process, ending on Friday, March 27th.  All comments and information sent to this address will be compiled and delivered to every member of the Joint Finance Committee.

If you're interested in streaming the hearings live on your computer, simply visit the Wisconsin Eye webpage.

If you don't have access to a computer but would still like to watch the hearings live, Wisconsin Eye has recently implemented new mobile capabilities for streaming video. Simply visit the Wisconsin Eye mobile site, choose the "Live Air Stream" option, and agree to the website's terms and conditions. Shortly after, your live video stream should begin on your mobile device.

Assembly Bill 27 Passes Assembly

On Tuesday March 17, a bill that would raise the maximum speed limit to 70 miles per hour, also known as Assembly Bill 27 (AB27), passed the Assembly with a strong bi-partisan vote.  This legislation was introduced by Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Representative Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc). 

Assembly Bill 27 gives the Department of Transportation (DOT) the discretion to raise the speed limit to a maximum limit of 70 miles per hour on roads they deem safe.  According to a Wisconsin DOT study, the department recommended the consideration that the state raise its maximum speed limits on certain Wisconsin highways.  As you can see in the graph above, Wisconsin is the only state in the Midwest that has not implemented a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour.  Additionally, prior to the 1973 fuel shortages, most speed limits for rural highways were set at 70 miles per hour.

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, I supported this measure in the committee and during an Assembly floor period. 

Rhinelander School Board Visits Madison

On Wednesday March 18, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, an advocacy group which represents schools boards across Wisconsin, held its annual Legislative Day in the Capitol.  Members of the Rhinelander School Board scheduled a meeting to discuss their concerns in regards to the Governor's proposed budget.  We had a great discussion and I greatly appreciate having a line of communication with my local school board to help address any concerns.  Thank you for visiting my office in Madison!

Left to Right: Ron Counter, Rep. Swearingen, Marta Kwiatkowski, and Judy Conlin

Low-Income Heating Assistance

DNR Report

Outdoor Report: March 20

Warm weather in the last week has continued to melt snow and ice on lakes and rivers. Only the far northern tier of counties are reporting any measurable snow remaining, with up to 8 inches still some shaded woody areas of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest, but even there most south facing slopes are bare.
The unseasonably warm temperatures of the last couple of weeks resulted in an increase in fire danger. High to Very High fire danger resulted in the suspension of burning permits in 50 Wisconsin counties over the past week. So far in March, 53 wildfires have burned 164 acres in DNR Protection Areas, with debris burning the leading cause of fires. People can stay aware of fire danger and burning permit requirements by checking searching the DNR website for 'fire danger' or calling 1-888-WISBURN. Information is updated each day at 11 am.

Ice conditions continue to deteriorate, with many major river systems opening. The Chippewa, Wolf and much of the Wisconsin rivers are open, as is the south fork of the Flambeau with the north fork not far behind. Northern lakes still have a foot or more of ice but it has turned honeycombed and gray. Many lakes have developed patches of open water near inlets, access areas and along south-facing shores.

The weather provided optimum conditions for early catch and release trout fishing. Trout streams in central and southwestern Wisconsin are nearly completely free of ice and levels look great for catch and release fishing, with not much run off due to lack of snow cover.
Anglers are continuing to fish Green Bay, with some success for northern pike along the west shore and whitefish along Door County. The Fox River at Voyageur Park has opened up and anglers were out in good numbers looking to catch some early season walleye. Walleye angles were also fishing the Menominee, Wolf and Lower Wisconsin with some success. Southern Lake Michigan tributaries are beginning to open and anglers were catching some brown trout on the Milwaukee River and some rainbows on Oak Creek.

Black bears are being seen in increasing numbers. Snowshoe hares have been easy to spot because they have not made their change in color yet. Turkeys are gobbling like crazy on sunny mornings and toms are being seeing strutting. The 103,516 remaining permits for the 2015 spring turkey hunting season will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Leftover permits will be first issued for sale by zone, one zone per day - each zone will have a designated sales date.
Maples are tapped and sap is running and maple syrup enthusiasts are tapping trees.
Diving duck numbers are just starting to build on southern lakes that are beginning to open up. Southern counties are reporting peenting American woodcock. Early March migrants have all arrived including blackbirds, robins, bluebirds, song sparrows and Eastern meadowlarks. Lots of bird song now from resident birds including mourning doves, cardinals, tufted titmouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers and chickadees.

Wildfire Report

Unseasonably warm temperatures resulted in widespread snow melt this month, causing an increase in fire danger with the loss of ground moisture and abundance of dry, dead foliage, grass and fallen leaves. High to Very High fire danger resulted in the suspension of burning permits in 50 Wisconsin counties over the past week. So far in March, 53 wildfires have burned 164 acres in DNR Protection Areas. Debris burning was the leading cause of fires this week (23 fires). The largest fire of the week was a 45-acre Iowa County wildfire; the cause of that fire is under investigation. With the nicer weather, homeowners are performing annual clean-up around their properties, including the burning of leaves and brush debris. Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires, especially this time of year. It's important to remember that burning is not your only option. There are many alternatives to burning such as composting or leaving brush in the woods for wildlife to enjoy. The best practice is to not burn at all or to wait until surrounding vegetation greens-up in the summer. Always obtain proper permits and follow the rules of the day when conducting an outdoor burn. You can stay aware of fire danger and burning permit requirements by checking our web site dnr.wi.gov (search 'fire danger') or calling 1-888-WISBURN. Information is updated each day at 11 am. Fire season is just beginning. On average, the 1,500 wildfires burn in DNR protection areas each year and another estimated 2,500 wildfires burn in parts of the state where fire departments are the primary responders.

Firewise Tip: Keep the area 3 to 5 feet around your home "fuel free." Remove anything in this area that can burn, such as leaves, plants, mulch, or piled wood. This includes the areas under and around decks and porches.

Statewide Birding Report

Southern counties are getting their first good push of waterfowl. It's dry out there but any sheet-water ponds in agricultural fields are hosting geese, ducks and some tundra swans. Diving duck numbers are just starting to build on southern lakes that are beginning to open up. Southern counties are reporting peenting American woodcock. Early March migrants have all arrived including blackbirds, robins, bluebirds, song sparrows and Eastern meadowlarks. Lots of bird song now from resident birds including mourning doves, cardinals, tufted titmouse, nutchatches, woodpeckers and chickadees. Birders are reminded that we are in the first year of the Second Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. Birders can learn more about the atlas and enter their breeding bird observations by going to: ebird.org/content/atlaswi (exit DNR). - Andy Paulios, wildlife biologist, Fitchburg

I want to congratulate the Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball team for winning both the Big Ten Regular Season Title and Big Ten Tournament Title.  As a result, the Badgers earned one of the four #1 seeds!  Go Bucky!

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

Lakeland Art League "Featured Artist" Helen Wolk: March 21, Minocqua

Late Night Luau For Kids: March 21, Eagle River

Casino Night: March 21, Rhinelander

Eagle River Farmers' Market - Winter: March 21, Eagle River

Lotto's Log Cabin Outdoor School - Twiggy Welcome Sign: March 21, Eagle River 

19th Annual Minocqua Gun Club Youth Fundraiser: March 21, Minocqua

YMCA Father Daughter Dance: March 21, Rhinelander

Winter Farmer's Market: March 21, Rhinelander

Hodag Home Show: March 21, Rhinelander

The Dead Pigeons/Live Music: March 21, Minocqua

The Broken Arrow Band: March 21, Minocqua

Lakeland Art League - Open Painting & Critique: March 25, Woodruff

Open Mic: March 25, Minocqua

Family Night: March 26, Eagle River

YMCA Girl's Night Out: March 26, Rhinelander 

Exhibition and annual opening at the ArtStart Galleries: March 26, Rhinelander

The Dead Pigeons: March 28, Minocqua

Ice Golf Tourney: March 28, Rhinelander

Easter Bunny Sunday: March 29, Eagle River

Music Garden at Head Start: March 30, Rhinelander

Library - Spring Break Special – Popcorn & a Movie: March 31, Rhinelander

Lakeland Art League - Open Painting & Critique: April 1, Woodruff

Coffee and Company: April 1, Rhinelander

VFW BINGO: April 1, Rhinelander

Library: Spring Break Special – Spring Fling Celebration: April 1, Rhinelander

Brown Bag Series - Mysterious Wetlands of the Northwoods: April 1, Manitowish Waters

UW Alumni/Science On Tap/The Great Lakes: April 1, Minocqua

Date with Dad: April 1, Eagle River

Eagle River Farmers' Market - Winter: April 1, Eagle River

Trig's Riverwalk Centre Blood Drives: April 1, Rhinelander 

Northwoods Children's Museum: Date with Dad: April 2, Eagle River

Parent Tot Time / Story Time: April 2, 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