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

District Dialogue

November 14, 2014

Veterans Day Celebrations in Madison and the Northwoods

On Veterans Day we honor those who have served along with the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their dedication to the American people should never be forgotten.  Honoring our veterans is the least we can do, considering their commitment to the protection of our nation.  I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate all that our armed forces from Wisconsin and across the nation have done to keep us safe.

On Tuesday, November 11^th, I attended the Veterans Day event in Madison.  Speeches were given by Governor Scott Walker, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and other invited guests.  Meeting our state's veterans continues to be one of the most rewarding benefits of being a legislator.

On November 12^th, I was able to attend the Veteran's program at the James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander.  Once again, the middle school students did a fantastic job honoring our veterans.

Veterans Presentation at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander

Assembly Leadership Elections

Now that election season is over in Wisconsin, newly elected representatives and senators return to Madison to vote for leadership for their respective parties.  I had the honor of nominating Robin Vos (R-Rochester) for Speaker of the Assembly during the Republican Caucus on Monday November 10th.  Robin's track record of fiscal responsibility and leadership earned him an unanimous vote to remain as the Speaker for the 102nd Wisconsin State Assembly.   

Representative Swearingen delivering his nomination speech for Robin Vos for Speaker.

The 63-Member Republican Majority Caucus.

In addition to Speaker Vos, a number of my Republican colleagues from around the state became newly elected members of leadership. 

Majority Leader: Jim Steineke (AD 5-Kaukauna)

Speaker Pro Tempore: Tyler August (AD 33- Lake Geneva)

Assistant Majority Leader: Dan Knodl (AD 24- Germantown)

Majority Caucus Chair: John Murtha (AD 29 - Baldwin)

Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Lee Nerison (AD 96- Westby)

Majority Caucus Secretary: Jessie Rodriguez (AD 21- Franklin)

Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Samantha Kerkman (AD 61 - Salem)

My friends and colleagues across the aisle also held their leadership elections this week, the results are below.

Minority Leader: Peter Barca (AD 64- Kenosha)

Assistant Minority Leader: Katrina Shankland (AD 71 -  Stevens Point)

Minority Caucus Chair: Andy Jorgenson (AD 43 - Fort Atkinson)

Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: JoCasta Zamarripa (AD 8 - Milwaukee)

Minority Caucus Secretary: Beth Meyers (AD-74 Bayfield)

Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Josh Zepnick (AD 9 - Milwaukee)

Year of A Better Bottom Line: Governor Scott Walker Announces $600,000 in Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants to Train Workers with Disabilities

Thursday, November 13, 2014 - Press Release

Milwaukee/Marshfield – Governor Scott Walker announced today the intent to award more than $600,000 in worker training grants to help more than 200 persons with disabilities develop demand-driven skills to reach their employment goals. The grants are supported through Governor Walker's $35.4 million Wisconsin Fast Forward -- Blueprint for Prosperity initiative, which invests in worker training to move Wisconsin's working families along a path toward greater prosperity and independence. Governor Walker made the announcements at the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee and at the Opportunity Development Center in Marshfield today.

"This year, we proclaimed the Year of A Better Bottom Line to encourage and promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities," Governor Walker said. "Today, I am pleased to announce additional support to prepare more than 200 workers with disabilities for careers across Wisconsin. Not only will this help workers, but with their diverse strengths and skills, it will improve a company's bottom line and spur economic growth."

During his 2014 State of the State address, Governor Walker proposed a $35.4 million expansion of the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) worker training program as part of his Blueprint for Prosperity. The additional funds will support efforts to reduce technical college wait lists in high-demand fields; grow collaborative projects among school districts, technical colleges, and businesses; and enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Governor Walker's A Better Bottom Line is tailored after Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s initiative with the National Governor’s Association, which details the vast benefits for employers, employees, and communities.

Also, the state is expanding Project SEARCH, a program helping young people with disabilities transition from high school to the workplace. An additional $850,000 in Blueprint for Prosperity funds will support the expansion of the number of participating businesses by 20, up from seven, over three years.

The Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development is administering the grant program.


2014 Wisconsin Fast Forward- Blueprint for Prosperity Training Workers with Disabilities Awards

$97,272 - Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Vilas County
$99,125 - Milwaukee Center for Independence, Inc., Milwaukee County
$35,508 - Grand Geneva, LLC, Walworth County
$53,087 - Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc. (Marriott), Milwaukee County
$57,435 - Opportunity Development Centers, Inc., Wood County
$30,460 - St. Ann Center For Intergenerational Care, Inc., Milwaukee County
$35,188 - DSB Transportation Services, Dane County
$51,474 - Vernon County
$100,000 - Top Promotions, Inc., Dane County
$43,000 - Easter Seals of Southeast Wisconsin, Inc. (Marriott), Milwaukee County
$19,791 - North Central Wood Products, Inc., Buffalo County


For a summary of each grant award or more information on Wisconsin Fast Forward visit: http://wisconsinfastforward.com/prosperity/.
 

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On Thursday, November 13^th, I was invited to attend a legislative panel discussion with my colleagues, including Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), at the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Conference in Stevens Point.  During the discussion I was able to tout the initiatives of the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools. 

After the Task Force traveled for months around the state, we developed over a dozen recommendations for Speaker Robin Vos.  The full report can be reviewed here.  With session beginning in the coming months, I along with a number of my colleagues will introduce legislation to benefit struggling rural schools.  The Task Force is focused on combating declining enrollment, increasing aid for high cost transportation, promoting whole grade sharing, and expanding spasity aid to assist extremely low student density, rural districts. 

For more information on the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools, please visit our website.  

Just a reminder, deer gun-hunting season opens statewide on November 22nd and runs until November 30th.  If you still need to purchase a license, they are priced at $24 for a resident of Wisconsin, and $5 for a first time hunter. 

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

For more information about license prices and season dates please follow the links below.

LICENSE PRICES:

SEASON DATES:

The Wisconsin Legislature website in new and improved to help residents in Wisconsin stay informed regarding state government.  The news website allows you to research elected officials, voting records, legislative district maps, specific pieces of legislation, etc.  The user friendly website is a great resource for all Wisconsin residents to stay involved in state politics.

Click here to access the Wisconsin Legislature webpage. 

 

Old Man Winter greeted residents of the Northwoods early this year with a record November snow storm.  Residents in the snowy north can enjoy the outdoors early while snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  Keep in mind, snowmobile trails will remains closed for the greater Northwoods until December 15^th due to hunting seasons and Wisconsin State Law. 

 

Silent Sport Opportunities in Wisconsin

 

Be sure to keep warm and travel safely as the winter season intensifies.  The Department of Transportation recommends  families and commuters to stock their vehicles with nonperishable foods, water, and blankets during winter months.  Below I have included links for road conditions throughout Wisconsin.  Be sure to drive with caution in the winter season to avoid accidents. 

 

Enjoy the snow!

 

Winter Road Conditions

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

4th Annual Great Shopping Escape in Boulder Junction: November 15th from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Lotto's Log Cabin Outdoor School, Animal Tracking Site in Eagle River: November 16th at 2:00 P.M.

Fall Feast of the Forest in Manitowish Waters: November 17th from 5:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Northwood's Shares Community Dinner in Eagle River: November 18th at 4:00 P.M.

Eagle River Farmer's Market in Eagle River: November 19th

Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital Blood Drive in Eagle River: November 20th from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Hunters All You Can Eat Chicken and Spaghetti Dinner in Florence: November 20th from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Holiday Bazaar and Christmas Cookie Sale in Eagle River: November 22nd from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Crantucky Doe Fest in Crandon: November 22nd from 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Harvest Dinner in Three Lakes: November 22nd from 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Rhinelander Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in Rhinelander: November 28th at 5:00 PM

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 107 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034